NASCAR Cup Series

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S PATRIOTIC CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Phoenix International Raceway and discussed last weekend’s incident at Texas Motor Speedway between Jeff Gordon and Brad Keselowski, his outlook for this weekend at Phoenix and many other topics.

“NASCAR is aware of the investigation involving driver Kurt Busch. We recognize the seriousness of this matter and are actively gathering information from all parties, including law enforcement authorities and Stewart-Haas Racing. It would be inappropriate for NASCAR to comment further on this matter until we have more information.”

Aric Almirola, driver of the No. 43 Folds of Honor/Farmland Ford Fusion, was part of a press conference today where he presented a check for $100,000 in scholarship money for Folds of Honor recipients. He also took questions about this weekend’s race at Phoenix and other competition issues.

KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 TARGET CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Phoenix International Raceway to discuss his showing in the Chase portion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Schedule, the Rookie of the Year battle…

This week NASCAR travels to Phoenix International Raceway. The Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix is the last chance to advance to the Championship Round next week at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Only four drivers will make it through to compete for the Sprint Cup Championship title.

NASCAR sought unpredictability for its championship run, and they have it. If not for the Chase, Jeff Gordon would just need to hold off Joey Logano, 26 points back, over the next two races and the title would be his. If the Chase format had not changed from last year, Logano would be the man in charge, with Kevin Harvick 35 back with two to go. Not much drama, not terribly unpredictable, and to change that up is the sole reason NASCAR changed things up this season.

Only two races remain in the 2014 NASCAR season, and the current leaders in two of NASCAR’s national series have strong ties to both Georgia and Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Texas Recap: Denny Hamlin finished 10th in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, climbing into a tie for first place in the Chase point standings with one race remaining in the Eliminator Round following the 341-lap event won by Jimmie Johnson. Hamlin started 20th and quickly moved forward at the drop of the green flag, but as the track temperature cooled, the handling went away on the #11 FedEx Office Toyota. A two-tire stop moved Hamlin to the lead for three laps mid-race, but the old tires didn’t work and the #11 machine fell back to 14th in the running order. Hamlin and crew chief Darian Grubb utilized a variety of strategies late in the race to secure a top-10 finish for the FedEx Racing Team. Hamlin is tied with Joey Logano for the points lead.

Reed Sorenson will pilot the No. 36 Chevrolet SS this weekend in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway. FLASR, the 4-oz. pocketsize, portable spittoon, will join Sorenson and Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) as the primary sponsor partner for the event.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rookie Michael Annett and his No. 7 Accell Construction Chevrolet SS team will compete this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway, aiming to turn two consecutive top-25 finishes into three in a row.