2008 SPRINT CUP RACE 8: Subway Fresh Fit 500 @ Phoenix

For Race 8, NASCAR headed to the desert to Phoenix International Raceway (one of my personal favorite tracks) for the first Saturday night points race of the year. Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman rocketed his way to the pole beating out another Dodge of Elliott Sadler for the top spot. The green flag was not shown on time due to a late baseball game FOX was showing. Once the race went green, they quickly told the baseball viewers to switch to FX for the conclusion of the game so FOX could carry on with the NASCAR race. A big wreck during the race occured when Ryan Newman's engine gave out and created a smokescreen with oil being dropped on the racetrack. The oil spun out several cars including point leader Jeff Burton with Matt Kenseth and Reed Sorenson getting collected in the carnage. In addition to the Dodge of Newman, other Dodges Elliott Sadler and Kasey Kahne that started in the Top Five also had mechanical issues during the race. As the race headed towards the checkers, it was time for many cars to hit pit road for a splash of fuel to go the distance. Jimmie Johnson gambled by staying out and pulled off the victory when his closest competitors Mark Martin and Carl Edwards had to hit pit lane for fuel. Jimmie ended up with a huge lead in the last couple of laps that he could back down his laptimes to save fuel. Johnson's win was Hendrick Motorsports' first points win on the year. Jeff Burton rallied back after the oil spin and finished sixth. Six Chevy's got Top 10s, two Fords, and two Toyotas.

The Top 10:
1. #48 Jimmie Johnson (Chevrolet)
2. #07 Clint Bowyer (Chevrolet)
3. #11 Denny Hamlin (Toyota)
4. #99 Carl Edwards (Ford)
5. #8 Mark Martin (Chevrolet)
6. #31 Jeff Burton (Chevrolet)
7. #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Chevrolet)
8. #1 Martin Truex Jr. (Chevrolet)
9. #16 Greg Biffle (Ford)
10. #18 Kyle Busch (Toyota)