CUP: Johnson, Martin Measure Up At PIR

Sprint Cup

CUP: Johnson, Martin Measure Up At PIR

Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin have combined for five victories at Phoenix International Raceway...

Tom Jensen | Posted November 10, 2009 Charlotte, NC

Jimmie Johnson (Left), with crew chief Chad Knaus (Right) are the current NASCAR Sprint Cup points leaders. Johnson has three wins at Phoenix International Raceway. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

It should be no real surprise that the two leaders in the NASCAR Sprint Cup points standings heading into Phoenix International Raceway this weekend are also the two with the best record at that track.

Jimmie Johnson, a three-time winner at the one-mile PIR oval, has the best average finish of any driver entered in Sunday’s Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at 5.400. In his last six PIR starts, Johnson has three victories, two fourth-place finishes and one runner-up effort.

But in the spring Phoenix race, it was his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin who dominated the proceedings, winning the event and leading the most laps, while Johnson finished fourth.

Heading into Sunday’s race, Johnson holds a lead of 73 points over Martin and 112 over Jeff Gordon, as Hendrick looks to become the first team in NASCAR history to end the season 1-2-3 in the Sprint Cup points standings.

If Martin wins the final two races of the season and leads the most laps in each, Johnson can clinch his record fourth consecutive series championship by finishing fourth or better in the last two races.

Here’s how the top 12 drivers stack up this weekend.

1. Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
2009 Rundown:
• Six wins, 14 top fives, 22 top 10s; three poles
• Average finish of 11.6
• Led 27 races for 1,972 laps
Phoenix International Raceway outlook:
• Three wins, seven top fives, 10 top 10s; one pole
• Average finish of 5.4 in 12 races

2. Mark Martin, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
2009 Rundown:
• Five wins, 13 top fives, 20 top 10s; seven poles
• Average finish of 14.0
• Led 23 races for 805 laps
Phoenix International Raceway outlook:
• Two wins, 10 top fives, 16 top 10s; one pole
• Average finish of 9.0 in 25 races

3. Jeff Gordon No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
2009 Rundown:
• One win, 16 top fives, 23 top 10s; one pole
• Average finish of 10.3
• Led 19 races for 827 laps
Phoenix International Raceway outlook:
• One win, eight top fives, 15 top 10s; three poles
• Average finish of 10.9 in 21 races

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tom Jensen

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