All Times EST NASCAR SPRINT CUP SUBWAY FRESH FIT 500 Site: Avondale, Ariz. Schedule: Friday, practice (Speed, 2-3:30 p.m.), qualifying (Speed, 6-7:30 p.m.); Saturday, practice (Speed, noon-1 p.m., 3-4 p.m.); Sunday, race, 3 p.m. (FOX, 2:30-6 p.m.). Track: Phoenix International Raceway (oval, 1.0 miles). Race distance: 312 miles, 312 laps. Last year: Denny Hamlin won the first of his...
All Times EST
NASCAR
SPRINT CUP
SUBWAY FRESH FIT 500
Site: Avondale, Ariz.
Schedule: Friday, practice (Speed, 2-3:30 p.m.), qualifying (Speed, 6-7:30 p.m.); Saturday, practice (Speed, noon-1 p.m., 3-4 p.m.); Sunday, race, 3 p.m. (FOX, 2:30-6 p.m.).
Track: Phoenix International Raceway (oval, 1.0 miles).
Race distance: 312 miles, 312 laps.
Last year: Denny Hamlin won the first of his five 2012 victories, leading the final 59 laps. Kevin Harvick challenged Hamlin, but ran out of gas and finished second.
Last week: Jimmie Johnson raced to his second Daytona 500 victory. Danica Patrick faded from third to eighth on the final lap, still the highest finish by a woman in the history of the race. She became the first female driver to lead laps in the event after becoming the first woman to start from the pole in NASCAR's top series.
Fast facts: Harvick won the November race at the track, and the crews for Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer brawled in the garage after Gordon intentionally wrecked Bowyer. ... The top 36 spots will be set in qualifying. The rest of the positions will go to the next six eligible teams from 2012 owner standings and an eligible past champion. If no past champion is eligible, the 43rd position will go the next highest finisher in the owner standings.
Next race: Kobalt Tools 400, March 10, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas.
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NATIONWIDE
DOLLAR GENERAL 200
Site: Avondale, Ariz.
Schedule: Friday, practice (Speed, noon-1:30 p.m., 3:30-4:30 p.m.); Saturday, qualifying, Speed, 1-2:30 p.m.), race, 4:30 p.m. (ESPN2, 4-7 p.m.).
Track: Phoenix International Raceway (oval, 1.0 miles).
Race distance: 200 miles, 200 laps.
Last year: Elliott Sadler raced to the first of his four 2012 victories.
Last week: Tony Stewart won the opener at Daytona, a race marred by a last-lap accident that injured more than 30 fans. Kyle Larson hit the cars in front of him and went airborne into the fence, hurling a tire and large pieces of debris into the stands.
Fast facts: Daytona 500 champion Jimmie Johnson is making his first Nationwide start since finishing second at Watkins Glen in 2011. He will drive JR Motorsports No. 5 Chevrolet. Fellow Sprint Cup drivers Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and Matt Kenseth also are entered. Busch has a series-record 51 victories. ... Joey Logano won in November at the track.
Next race: Sam's Town 300, March 9, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas.
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CAMPING WORLD TRUCK
Next race: Kroger 250, April 6, Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, Va.
Last week: Johnny Sauter won the opener at Daytona, taking advantage of a last-lap crash that brought out a caution and prevented Kyle Busch from making a move on the leader.
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NHRA MELLOW YELLO DRAG RACING
Next event: NHRA Gatornationals, March 14-17, Auto Plus Raceway, Gainesville, Fla.
Last week: Tony Schumacher beat Morgan Lucas in the tire-smoking Top Fuel final at the NHRA Arizona Nationals for his 70th career victory. Ron Capps topped the Funny Car field, and Erica Enders-Stevens won in Pro Stock.
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OTHER RACE
GRAND-AM ROLEX SPORTS CAR SERIES: Grand-Am of the Americas, Saturday (Speed, 5:30-8:30 p.m.), Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas.