2008 SPRINT CUP RACE 35: Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 @ Phoenix

The next to last race of 2008 brought the Cup Series out west one last time to Phoenix International Raceway. The Spring race was a night race while this race was scheduled for the daytime. Again, Jimmie Johnson won the pole out-qualifying Jamie McMurray for the top spot. Jamie's had quite the run recently. Jimmie Johnson went out to do what he needed to do to protect his point lead, go all out aggressive by running up front and leading laps. The race briefly was halted due to rain, which is extremely rare out there in Arizona but it was just a passing shower and the race got back underway. Johnson continued to dominate picking up the laps led bonus. Late in the race a multi-car wreck broke loose collecting David Gilliland, Casey Mears, Scott Speed in the #84 and Sam Hornish. The #38 of Gilliland ended up getting lifted up and sat on top of Speed's winshield. As Jerry Punch said, "He's got a Ford Fusion in his winshield.", referring to Scott Speed lol. The delays from rain and the red flag for this wreck made the race extend into the nighttime for the final shootout to the finish under the lights. Kurt Busch had run well all day and became Johnson's top challenger for the win. Jimmie managed to hold on in a GWC finish to score yet another win this year, his seventh of the year. As the cars came off Turn 4 coming to the checkers, another wreck occured when Matt Kenseth apparently retailiated an earlier wreck A.J. Allmendinger caused creating a huge pileup past the start/finish line. Everyone did finish the race but it tore up several innocent cars. Carl Edwards struggled most of the race but scored a Top 5 to at least keep his hopes alive for a title, yet extremely slim. Johnson though is well on his way to 3 championships in a row and it'll be decided next time at Homestead. Four Chevys, three Fords, two Toyotas, and the Dodge of Kurt Busch got Top 10s.

The Top 10:
1. #48 Jimmie Johnson (Chevrolet)
2. #2 Kurt Busch (Dodge)
3. #26 Jamie McMurray (Ford)
4. #99 Carl Edwards (Ford)
5. #11 Denny Hamlin (Toyota)
6. #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Chevrolet)
7. #29 Kevin Harvick (Chevrolet)
8. #18 Kyle Busch (Toyota)
9. #31 Jeff Burton (Chevrolet)
10. #6 David Ragan (Ford)

One race to go...Jimmie Johnson cushioned himself enough that its likely he would hold on, but if Jimmie encountered an engine failure or something, it could fall into Carl's hands. Off to Homestead we go!