The race … This event is the third race on the NASCAR Camping World Series West schedule for 2009 and the only visit by the series to Phoenix International Raceway this season.
The procedure … The starting field is 40 cars, including provisionals. The first 36 cars will qualify through two-lap time trials. The remaining four spots will be awarded through the provisional process. The race will be 150 laps (150 miles).
The track … PIR is a one-mile superspeedway with Turns 1 and 2 banked 11 degrees, Turns 3 and 4 banked nine degrees and two degrees of banking in the dogleg. The track has hosted 23 stand-alone events for the NASCAR Camping World Series West.
The records … Qualifying: Steve Portenga, March 18, 2000, 129.394 mph, 27.822 sec.; Race: Scott Lynch, Oct. 5, 2003, 114.262 mph, 1 hour 18 minutes 46 seconds.
Double duty … The entry list for this event includes second-generation West Coast driver David Gilliland (No. 89 Northeastern University Toyota), who competed full time in the NASCAR Camping World Series West in 2004 and 2005 before heading to the NASCAR Nationwide Series and eventually the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Gilliland is also entered in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix. A couple of other former regulars in the West Series will be pulling double duty in a different way at PIR. Johnny Borneman (No. 8 Borneman Plastering Chevrolet) and Daryl Harr (No. 71 WestWorld Computers Chevrolet) plan to compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series event as well as the NASCAR Camping World Series West race.
Austin Dillon to compete … Austin Dillon (No. 31 RCR/GGRT Chevrolet), grandson of Richard Childress, is slated to compete at Phoenix. Dillon won the Sunoco Rookie of the Year title and finished second in the overall standings in the NASCAR Camping World Series East last year.
Others from the East … In addition to Dillon, a couple of other drivers from the NASCAR Camping World Series East are making the trip to Phoenix – Steve Park (No. 35 Waste Management Recycle America Chevrolet) and Kristin Bumbera (No. 00 Bumbera’s Performance Associates Chevrolet). Bumbera, who has raced in two NASCAR Camping World Series West races, is running for the Sunoco rookie title in the East this season.
Leading winners … With four victories, Ken Schrader has the most wins at Phoenix.
Most poles … Two-time series champion Mike Duncan has four pole awards at Phoenix, to lead that category.
Top fives … Bobby Allison holds the mark for the most top-five finishes at Phoenix, with six. He is followed on that list by Neil Bonnett, Austin Cameron and Mike David (No. 2 Bennett Lane Winery Toyota) – with five each.
Top tens … Cameron has the most top-10 finishes at PIR, placing 10th or better in nine of his 12 starts at Phoenix – including a win in 2002. Steve Portenga and Scott Gaylord are tied for second on that list, each with eight top-10 finishes.
How they compare … Of drivers who have competed in four or more races at Phoenix, Neil Bonnett had the best average finish of 2.2. Among current active drivers with four or more races at PIR, the average finish of 7.0 by Mike David ranks highest.
Wins among manufacturers … Chevrolet has the most wins at Phoenix International Raceway among automobile manufacturers, with 12.
Stat of the race … Five of the 23 races at PIR were won by the pole winner. Three winners started outside of the top 10. Rich Woodland Jr., started the furthest back and won – coming from 21st in 1998.
