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NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
CUP: Top Chasers Look To Run Well At Phoenix
The three drivers holding top slots in the Chase for the Sprint Cup look forward to Phoenix...
Rea White  | http://www.scenedaily.com  |  Posted November 12, 2009   Charlotte, NC
Mark Martin won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Subway Fresh Fit 500 in April this year at Phoenix International Raceway. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Mark Martin has 40 NASCAR Cup wins to his credit, but he still has special memories of his victory at Phoenix International Raceway earlier this season.

That was Martin's first win with his Alan Gustafson-led Hendrick Motorsports team. Now, he heads back to the track second in the standings in the Chase For The Sprint Cup and looking for another memorable outing. He's 73 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson heading into Sunday's Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500, one of two races remaining this season.

Martin and his team may carry added enthusiasm into the race because of that win - and the memory of how it felt.

"That was such an incredible night," Martin says. "I knew going into the race that we had a really, really good race car. I knew that we had a very good shot at winning, and I didn't want to disappoint any of the guys on this team because you could see it in their faces that they were excited. We went out there and the car was nearly perfect all night. We had great pit stops, and when the yellow came out there at the end, I thought, 'You've got to be kidding me!'

"We held Tony [Stewart] off, and crossing that finish line was such a mix of gratitude, disbelief and relief. I couldn't believe we won. It was just an amazing night. All of the people that came into victory lane that night, that blew me away. It still does. That's what I race for. It's the people, not the trophies. And I'll never forget them all coming to shake my hand and the things they said. That night was incredible, and I owe that to [team owner] Rick [Hendrick] and Alan. They gave me this opportunity, and we are making the most of every minute."

Martin is not, however, the only one trying to make the most of the race weekend.

Johnson is looking to get back on track in the Chase and his quest for an unprecedented fourth straight Cup title. An early crash in last weekend's race at Texas Motor Speedway and 38th-place finish cut Johnson’s 184-point edge in the standings to just the 73.


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Rea White

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