NASCAR 2011: Driver Rankings Phoenix Subway Fresh Fit 500
Phoenix & Daytona Worlds Apart but Same Drivers Rank High
No.10 Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick has over 10 years of experience on this flat mile track and his prowess on tracks such as Martinsville and Loudon translate well to this track. Harvick will be up on this wheel this week since he finished on the bottom of the scoring pylon with a blown engine at Daytona.
No.9 Greg Biffle
Greg Biffle has four top fives on the Phoenix mile but he has never left the desert with a trophy. Biffle's average finish of 14.6 does not instill much confidence but the engine production from the new Ford FR-9 engines will help Biffle with the bite he will need off the corner.
No.8 Tony Stewart
Tony Stewart held the highest power ranking for the Daytona 500 and he faded miserably at the end. Stewart is very familiar with this track but has not won in NASCAR Sprint cup since his rookie season in 2009. Stewart has made the top 10 in nine of his 18 races on the mile course.
No.7 Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin comes into the Phoenix race feeling that PIR owes him. Two of Hamlin's worst performances in 2010 came on the Phoenix track. Overall Hamlin does have a good track record on the track. He has scored five top fives and six top tens for an average finish of 11.6.
No.6 Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon is the of the most experienced drivers in the top ten power rankings for the Phoenix race. Despite having the most experience Gordon only has one win but hes does have nine top fives and 17 top ten finishes in the desert. Gordon ranks third among the drivers in the power rankings with an average finish of 10.4. Gordon is another driver that will be up on the wheel trying to gain back lost points.
No.5 Mark Martin
Mark Martin has raced in all but one of the 29 races held on the Phoenix mile under the NASCAR Sprint Cup series banner. He only has one win to show for his 28 races but he also has12 top fives and 19 top top tens. Martin's 8.6 average finish is only second to his teammate and five time NASCAR Sprint Cup champ Jimmie Johnson.
No.4 Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch is suited for driving this track and he will race in all three NASCAR disciplines this weekend. This gives him an edge on learning the intricacies of the pavement wear and driver habits. Busch only one top five at Phoenix but he does have seven top tens and has been running at the end of all 12 races he has entered.
No.3 Kurt Busch
Kurt Busch ihas only crossed the finish line first in Phoenix but he does keep his car up front on this odd shaped track. Busch had previous experience with this track and the fact that does sometimes drive like a road course is to his advantage. Busch has finished in the top five four times and in the top ten nine times on this course but his average finish in 16 races is 13.3.
No.2 Carl Edwards
Carl Edwards first win on the Phoenix mile came last November but he has been a favorite on this track for quite a while. Edwards has five top fives and nine top tens in 13 appearances. Edwards averages an 11.8 finish in Phoenix and with the Ford teams new found power and adjusted aero package he will be up front to start the race.
No.1 Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Johnson has been called "The Dominator" before but it applies to this track. His average finish is a ridiculously low 4.9 and he has won on the track four times. 10 top fives and 13 top top tens show how well he knows this track and how dominant he can be.
More from Yahoo Contributor Network:
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Statistical sources:
NASCAR Statistical Advance (NASCAR media relations)
www.lasvegasinsideinfo.com
www.nascar.com
www.speedtv.com
Published by Todd Jacobs
Todd Jacobs is from Anaheim, California and resides in the city of Las Vegas. Todd worked for Orange Coast Magazine as News Editor in the 80s and recently began writing for several online sites including:... View profile
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- Jeff Gordon is the of the most experienced drivers in the top ten power rankings for Phoenix.
- Mark Martin has raced in all but one of the 29 races held in Phoenix.
- Jimmie Johnson has been called "The Dominator" before but it applies to this track.