This week, the Chase brings NASCAR to Phoenix for the Checker Auto Parts 500. The race will also be the final for the freshman year of the Car of Tomorrow, which becomes the Car of Today in 2008. With two races to go in the 2007 NASCAR season, only two drivers, teammates, have a chance to win the Nextel Cup Championship. Jimmie Johnson is coming off his third win in a row, making nine total victories this season. Jeff Gordon is the man that no one doubted would win the Championship this year, and though second in the standings, Gordon still has the oppertunity to win the Chase. With only thirty points seperating them, fans can be sure that there is going to be door to door racing for the next two races between the two Chase drivers. Fans can also count on the Hendrick duo being at the front. Hendrick Motorsports has won eight of the fifteen races in the new car. Despite Hendrick dominance, you can never count out any of the other drivers. One thing to be wary of are the qualifying efforts of Patrick Carpentier and Jacques Villeneuve. These two former open will drivers will try to make the race. As such, here drivers to look for in the Checker Auto Parts 500 on Sunday:
- Jeff Gordon is thirty points behind Chase leader Jimmie Johnson, and wants the top spot back. Gordon and Hendrick Motorsports have done excellent in the COT in Phoenix, exemplified by his win in April at the track. Gordon will once again be a dominant force at the track, not only driving for a win, but driving for a championship. The word "teammate" may mean nothing to Gordon as he fights for his fifth NASCAR Cup Championship. If Gordon runs well and crew chief Steve Letarte makes the right calls, look for Gordon to drive into victory lane on Sunday.
- Jimmie Johnson is having as good of a Chase as anyone would like. He has won three straight races in the Chase, and wants to solidify his dominance this season. Johnson did well at Phoenix in the Spring, finishing fourth. All Johnson needs to do this weekend is have a solid, and clean race and Johnson will have this Championship in the bag. With a crew chief like Chad Knaus, it is difficult not to win. Johnson will be at a disadvantage though, because his boss / car owner (Jeff Gordon) is a dominant force at Phoenix International Speedway.
- Kevin Harvick is looking to salvage whatever he can from this season. Harvick, who is currently eighth in points, can do just that at Phoenix. He, and teammate Jeff Burton each have two wins at the track, and Harvick has potential to add to that number. Harvick had a top 10 finish at the race in April and is coming off of a tenth place finish at Texas Motor Speedway. Look for him to have another strong showing at Phoenix, and perhaps becoming a factor for the finish.
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants one thing only this year, to win. Jr. has two victories at Phoenix International Speedway, but none yet this year. Dale Jr. has been caught by bad luck this season, either by blowing up a tire or blowing up an engine. Dale Jr. wants to have a victory this year, not for himself, but for his team. Spare bad luck, Jr. is going to race for te win, and quite possibly will get it.
- Dave Blaney has been having the typical season for any of the new Toyota teams, though has shown more promise than any of the rest. With Joe Gibbs Racing switching to Toyota next season, all the Toyota teams will be stronger next year, but next year isn't good enough for Blaney. Blaney has had the most success in the Toyota camp, making 31 races and securing a spot in the top 35. He had bad luck in the April race, finishing 39th, after being caught up in a wreck, but had potential to do more. Look for Blaney to show all his potential on Sunday.
