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2006 Checker Auto Parts 500

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2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil
Race details[1][2][3][4]
Race 35 of 36 in the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season
2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 program cover
2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 program cover
Date November 12, 2006 (2006-November-12)
Official name Checker Auto Parts 500
Location Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale, Arizona
Course Permanent racing facility
1.000 mi (1.609 km)
Distance 312 laps, 312 mi (502 km)
Weather Warm with temperatures approaching 80.1 °F (26.7 °C); wind speeds up to 8 miles per hour (13 km/h)
Average speed 96.131 miles per hour (154.708 km/h)
Attendance 106,000
Pole position
Driver
Hendrick Motorsports
Time 26.773
Most laps led
Driver Kevin Harvick Richard Childress Racing
Laps 252
Winner
No. 29 Kevin Harvick Richard Childress Racing
Television in the United States
Network NBC
Announcers Bill Weber
Benny Parsons
Wally Dallenbach

The 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil was a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series racing event that took place on November 12, 2006, at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Arizona.

The traditional pre-race ceremonies were held with the showing of the national colors along with the invocation service from a local minister. One of country music's top ten recording artists of 2006, Taylor Swift, sang the national anthem prior to the racing event.[5] The green flag was officially waved at 2:35 p.m. and the checked flag was waved at approximately 5:49 p.m.[6] After this race, Colombian native Juan Pablo Montoya and Australian driver Marcos Ambrose would temporarily become the foreigners that would consistently make the racing grid for all the future NASCAR Cup Series races along with limited degrees of success by Scottish IndyCar driver Dario Franchitti.

Events held alongside the 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 on the same weekend include the Casino Arizona 150 (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series) and the Arizona Travel 200 (NASCAR Busch Series).

Entry list

[edit]
# Driver Team Make Sponsor
1 Martin Truex Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats
01 Joe Nemechek Ginn Racing Chevrolet Principal Financial Group
2 Kurt Busch Penske Racing South Dodge Miller Lite
02 Brandon Ash Ash Motorsports Dodge Sprinter Trucking, Inc.
4 Ward Burton Morgan–McClure Motorsports Chevrolet Lucas Oil
5 Kyle Busch Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Kellogg's
6 Mark Martin Roush Racing Ford AAA Insurance
06 Todd Kluever Roush Racing Ford 3M Vikuiti, Sharp AQUOS
7 Robby Gordon Robby Gordon Motorsports Ford Harrah's
07 Clint Bowyer Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Jack Daniel's
8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet Budweiser
9 Kasey Kahne Evernham Motorsports Dodge Dodge Dealers, UAW
09 Jeremy Mayfield Phoenix Racing Dodge Miccosukee Gaming & Resorts
10 Scott Riggs Evernham Motorsports Dodge Stanley Tools, Valvoline
11 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota FedEx Ground
12 Ryan Newman Penske Racing South Ford Alltel
14 Sterling Marlin MB2 Motorsports Chevrolet Principal Financial Group
16 Greg Biffle Roush Racing Ford National Guard
17 Matt Kenseth Roush Racing Ford USG Sheetrock
18 J.J. Yeley Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet GSK, Boniva
19 Elliott Sadler Evernham Motorsports Dodge Dodge Dealers, UAW
20 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Home Depot
21 Ken Schrader Wood Brothers Racing Ford Little Debbie
22 Dave Blaney Bill Davis Racing Toyota Caterpillar
24 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet DuPont
25 Brian Vickers Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet GMAC
26 Jamie McMurray Roush Racing Ford Irwin Industrial Tools
29 Kevin Harvick Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Reese's Cookies
31 Jeff Burton Richard Childress Racing Toyota Cingular Wireless
32 Travis Kvapil PPI Motorsports Chevrolet Tide, Downy
34 Kevin Lepage Front Row Motorsports Dodge Oak Glove Company
37 Bill Elliott R&J Racing Dodge Melling
38 David Gilliland Robert Yates Racing Ford M&M's
40 David Stremme Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Dodge Discount Tire
41 Reed Sorenson Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Dodge Target
42 Casey Mears Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Dodge Texaco, Havoline
43 Bobby Labonte Petty Enterprises Dodge Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories
45 Kyle Petty Petty Enterprises Ford Wells Fargo
48 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Lowe's
49 Mike Bliss BAM Racing Dodge WhatsOnline.com
55 Michael Waltrip Waltrip-Jasper Racing Dodge NAPA Auto Parts
61 Stanton Barrett Front Row Motorsports Dodge Oak Glove Company
66 Jeff Green Haas CNC Racing Chevrolet Best Buy
71 Jason Leffler Braun Racing Chevrolet Fort McDowell Resort Destination
72 Brandon Whitt CJM Racing Chevrolet Dutch Quality Stone
74 Derrike Cope McGlynn Racing Dodge Sundance Vacations, Vialafil.com
78 Kenny Wallace Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet Furniture Row Racing
88 Dale Jarrett Robert Yates Racing Ford UPS
89 Morgan Shepherd Shepherd Racing Ventures Ford Victory In Jesus, Eco First
96 Tony Raines Hall of Fame Racing Chevrolet DLP HDTV
99 Carl Edwards Roush Racing Ford Office Depot

Qualifying

[edit]
#[7][8] # Driver Make Team Time Avg. Speed (mph) BHND
1 24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports 26.773 134.464 0.000
2 29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing 26.871 133.973 00.098
3 25 Brian Vickers Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports 26.876 133.949 00.103
4 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 26.932 133.670 00.159
5 01 Joe Nemechek Chevrolet Ginn Racing 26.942 133.620 00.169
6 16 Greg Biffle Ford Roush Racing 26.959 133.536 00.186
7 12 Ryan Newman Dodge Penske Racing South 26.963 133.516 00.190
8 2 Kurt Busch Dodge Penske Racing South 26.972 133.472 00.199
9 5 Kyle Busch Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports 26.975 133.457 00.202
10 17 Matt Kenseth Ford Roush Racing 26.983 133.417 00.210
11 9 Kasey Kahne Dodge Evernham Motorsports 26.991 133.378 00.218
12 99 Carl Edwards Ford Roush Racing 27.039 133.141 00.266
13 38 David Gilliland Ford Robert Yates Racing 27.057 133.052 00.284
14 26 Jamie McMurray Ford Roush Racing 27.071 132.984 00.298
15 43 Bobby Labonte Dodge Petty Enterprises 27.079 132.944 00.306
16 19 Elliott Sadler Dodge Evernham Motorsports 27.081 132.934 00.308
17 42 Casey Mears Dodge Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates 27.097 132.856 00.324
18 31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing 27.100 132.841 00.327
19 55 Michael Waltrip Dodge Waltrip-Jasper Racing 27.101 132.836 00.328
20 07 Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing 27.116 132.763 00.343
21 6 Mark Martin Ford Roush Racing 27.117 132.758 00.344
22 11 Denny Hamlin Chevrolet Joe Gibbs Racing 27.127 132.709 00.354
23 20 Tony Stewart Chevrolet Joe Gibbs Racing 27.132 132.685 00.359
24 4 Ward Burton Chevrolet Morgan–McClure Motorsports 27.186 132.421 00.413
25 66 Jeff Green Chevrolet Haas CNC Racing 27.222 132.246 00.449
26 1 Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 27.228 132.217 00.455
27 88 Dale Jarrett Ford Robert Yates Racing 27.253 132.096 00.480
28 41 Reed Sorenson Dodge Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates 27.284 131.945 00.511
29 48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports 27.299 131.873 00.526
30 14 Sterling Marlin Chevrolet MB2 Motorsports 27.315 131.796 00.542
31 22 Dave Blaney Dodge Bill Davis Racing 27.354 131.608 00.581
32 21 Ken Schrader Ford Wood Brothers Racing 27.354 131.608 00.581
33 32 Travis Kvapil Chevrolet PPI Motorsports 27.382 131.473 00.609
34 45 Kyle Petty Dodge Petty Enterprises 27.398 131.396 00.625
35 18 J.J. Yeley Chevrolet Joe Gibbs Racing 27.439 131.200 00.666
36 40 David Stremme Dodge Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates 27.464 131.081 00.691
37 72 Brandon Whitt Chevrolet CJM Racing 27.484 130.985 00.711
38 49 Mike Bliss Dodge BAM Racing 27.488 130.966 00.715
39 61 Chad Chaffin Dodge Front Row Motorsports 27.532 130.757 00.759
40 7 Robby Gordon* Chevrolet Robby Gordon Motorsports 27.608 130.397 00.835
41 96 Tony Raines* Chevrolet Hall of Fame Racing 27.623 130.326 00.850
42 10 Scott Riggs* Dodge Evernham Motorsports 27.724 129.851 00.951
43 37 Bill Elliott** Dodge R&J Racing 28.106 128.087
Failed to qualify
44 71 Jason Leffler Chevrolet Braun Racing 27.588 130.492
45 06 Todd Kluever Ford Roush Racing 27.613 130.373
46 89 Morgan Shepherd Dodge Shepherd Racing Ventures 27.663 130.138
47 02 Brandon Ash Dodge Ash Motorsports 27.699 129.969
48 34 Kevin Lepage Chevrolet Front Row Motorsports 27.780 129.590
49 78 Kenny Wallace Chevrolet Furniture Row Racing 27.930 128.894
50 74 Derrike Cope Dodge McGlynn Racing 27.935 128.871
51 09 Jeremy Mayfield Dodge Phoenix Racing 28.046 128.361

*Qualified by owner's points.

**Qualified by champion's provisional.

Race recap

[edit]

For pre-race ceremonies, the Luke Air Force Base Honor Guard presented the nation's colors. Phoenix International Raceway chaplain Ken Bowers gave the invocation. Rising country music artist at the time Taylor Swift performed the national anthem. Doug Bowens, on behalf of Pennzoil would give out the starting command.

Brandon Whitt would "earn" the last-place finish in his only NASCAR Nextel Cup Series start due to a rear end issue on lap 123 of 312.[2][3][4][9]

Kevin Harvick defeated Jimmie Johnson by a ¼ of a second in front of 106,000 people after three hours and fourteen minutes of racing action.[2][10] Harvick dominated this race, leading exactly 80.7% of the race.[2][4][9] There were 12 lead changes in addition to ten caution flag waved by NASCAR for 58 laps.[2][4][9] There was at least one red flag in the race; it was waved due to a multi-car accident on lap 305.[11] Jeff Gordon qualified for the pole position with a speed of 134.646 miles per hour (216.692 km/h) while the average speed of the race was 96.131 miles per hour (154.708 km/h).[2][4][9]

This was the final career race for team owner Doug Bawel.[2][4][9] It was also the last DNF for Clint Bowyer until the 2009 race in Darlington.[2][4][9] Brandon Whitt did a great job making this race, considering the team and his limited experience. His only other start that year was an ARCA race, and he had a DNQ to go with each of them.[2][4][9]

The other finishers in the top ten were: Denny Hamlin, Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, Mark Martin, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Jeff Burton.[2][3][4][9] Now-retired drivers Kyle Petty and Dale Jarrett also participated in this race during their twilight years.[2][3][4] Seven drivers failed to make the race while Robby Gordon was sent to the back of the grid due to an engine replacement.[2] Kyle Busch failed to finish in the top ten in his Hendrick Motorsports #5 Chevrolet Monte Carlo machine.[2][3][4][9]

Drivers were racing for a prize bounty of $4,892,924 ($7,395,115.9 when adjusted for inflation) with Jimmie Johnson being ahead of Matt Kenseth by a mere 17 points.[6] While Tony Stewart scored more points than the top ten drivers, the best result that he could come up within the 2006 NASCAR Cup Series season would be eleventh place in the drivers' championship standings.[6] The "Chase for the Cup" formula at that time had the best ten drivers compete for the championship – as opposed to 16 in today's formula.

2006 Checker Auto Parts 500
  • In this unlucky moment of the race, driver Robby Gordon spins out in front of Kyle Petty and Ken Schrader.
    In this unlucky moment of the race, driver Robby Gordon spins out in front of Kyle Petty and Ken Schrader.
  • Tony Stewart (of Joe Gibbs Racing) is getting involved in a close battle for position against several other drivers.
    Tony Stewart (of Joe Gibbs Racing) is getting involved in a close battle for position against several other drivers.

Results

[edit]
Fin[12][13] St # Driver Make Team Sponsor Laps Led Status Pts Winnings
1 2 29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing Reese's Cookies 312 252 running 190 216825
2 29 48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports Lowe's 312 28 running 175 183275
3 22 11 Denny Hamlin Chevrolet Joe Gibbs Racing FedEx Ground 312 0 running 165 139800
4 1 24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports DuPont 312 3 running 165 136125
5 12 99 Carl Edwards Ford Roush Racing Office Depot 312 0 running 155 120425
6 21 6 Mark Martin Ford Roush Racing AAA Insurance 312 26 running 155 104725
7 11 9 Kasey Kahne Dodge Evernham Motorsports Dodge Dealers, UAW 312 0 running 146 99025
8 8 2 Kurt Busch Dodge Penske Racing South Miller Lite 312 0 running 142 93050
9 4 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Budweiser 312 0 running 138 88050
10 18 31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing Cingular Wireless 312 0 running 134 90500
11 3 25 Brian Vickers Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports GMAC 312 0 running 130 83350
12 26 1 Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats 312 0 running 127 100608
13 10 17 Matt Kenseth Ford Roush Racing USG Sheetrock 312 1 running 129 86700
14 23 20 Tony Stewart Chevrolet Joe Gibbs Racing Home Depot 312 0 running 121 91550
15 7 12 Ryan Newman Dodge Penske Racing South Alltel 312 0 running 118 83125
16 13 38 David Gilliland Ford Robert Yates Racing M&M's 312 1 running 120 77950
17 16 19 Elliott Sadler Dodge Evernham Motorsports Dodge Dealers, UAW 312 0 running 112 76500
18 36 40 David Stremme Dodge Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Discount Tire 312 0 running 109 92233
19 5 01 Joe Nemechek Chevrolet Ginn Racing Principal Financial Group 312 0 running 106 75775
20 35 18 J.J. Yeley Chevrolet Joe Gibbs Racing GSK, Boniva 312 0 running 103 78350
21 41 96 Tony Raines Chevrolet Hall of Fame Racing DLP HDTV 312 0 running 100 67325
22 42 10 Scott Riggs Dodge Evernham Motorsports Stanley Tools, Valvoline 312 0 running 97 67100
23 31 22 Dave Blaney Dodge Bill Davis Racing Caterpillar 312 0 running 94 81983
24 32 21 Ken Schrader Ford Wood Brothers Racing Little Debbie 312 0 running 91 74625
25 34 45 Kyle Petty Dodge Petty Enterprises Wells Fargo 312 0 running 88 86458
26 17 42 Casey Mears Dodge Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Texaco, Havoline 312 0 running 85 74175
27 15 43 Bobby Labonte Dodge Petty Enterprises Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories 311 0 running 82 74050
28 24 4 Ward Burton Chevrolet Morgan–McClure Motorsports Lucas Oil 311 0 running 79 65425
29 28 41 Reed Sorenson Dodge Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Target 310 0 running 76 70800
30 33 32 Travis Kvapil Chevrolet PPI Motorsports Tide, Downy 310 0 running 73 72722
31 43 37 Bill Elliott Dodge R&J Racing Melling 309 0 running 70 62550
32 40 7 Robby Gordon Chevrolet Robby Gordon Motorsports Harrah's 307 0 running 67 62400
33 20 07 Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Richard Childress Racing Jack Daniel's 306 0 oil line 64 71225
34 6 16 Greg Biffle Ford Roush Racing National Guard 306 0 running 61 82350
35 39 61 Chad Chaffin Dodge Front Row Motorsports Oak Glove Company 306 0 running 58 62025
36 30 14 Sterling Marlin Chevrolet MB2 Motorsports Principal Financial Group 303 1 running 60 61875
37 25 66 Jeff Green Chevrolet Haas CNC Racing Best Buy 298 0 crash 52 69750
38 9 5 Kyle Busch Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports Kellogg's 291 0 running 49 79625
39 27 88 Dale Jarrett Ford Robert Yates Racing UPS 289 0 crash 46 69500
40 14 26 Jamie McMurray Ford Roush Racing Irwin Industrial Tools 272 0 crash 43 80350
41 38 49 Mike Bliss Dodge BAM Racing WhatsOnline.com 262 0 engine 40 61210
42 19 55 Michael Waltrip Dodge Waltrip-Jasper Racing NAPA Auto Parts 234 0 engine 37 61085
43 37 72 Brandon Whitt Chevrolet CJM Racing Dutch Quality Stone 123 0 rear end 34 61286
Failed to qualify
44 71 Jason Leffler Chevrolet Braun Racing Fort McDowell Resort Destination
45 06 Todd Kluever Ford Roush Racing 3M Vikuiti, Sharp AQUOS
46 89 Morgan Shepherd Dodge Shepherd Racing Ventures Victory In Jesus, Eco First
47 02 Brandon Ash Dodge Ash Motorsports Sprinter Trucking, Inc.
48 34 Kevin Lepage Chevrolet Front Row Motorsports Oak Glove Co.
49 78 Kenny Wallace Chevrolet Furniture Row Racing Furniture Row Racing
50 74 Derrike Cope Dodge McGlynn Racing Sundance Vacations, Vialafil.com
51 09 Jeremy Mayfield Dodge Phoenix Racing Miccosukee Gaming & Resorts

Timeline

[edit]

Section reference:[2]

  • Start of race: Jeff Gordon started the race as the first-place driver.
  • Lap 4: Kevin Harvick took over the lead from Jeff Gordon.
  • Lap 71: Caution for debris; ended on lap 76.
  • Lap 72: Matt Kenseth took over the lead from Kevin Harvick.
  • Lap 73: Kevin Harvick took over the lead from Matt Kenseth.
  • Lap 123: Brandon Whitt lost his vehicle's rear end.
  • Lap 134: Jimmie Johnson took over the lead from Kevin Harvick.
  • Lap 151: Caution for debris; ended on lap 157.
  • Lap 152: Sterling Marlin took over the lead from Jimmie Johnson.
  • Lap 153: Jimmie Johnson took over the lead from Sterling Marlin.
  • Lap 162: Kevin Harvick took over the lead from Jimmie Johnson.
  • Lap 188: Caution for oil on track; ended on lap 195.
  • Lap 227: Caution for Robby Gordon and Chad Chiffin's joint accident; ended on lap 230.
  • Lap 234: Michael Waltrip developed engine problems.
  • Lap 253: Caution due to oil on track; ended on lap 257.
  • Lap 255: David Gilliland took over the lead from Kevin Harvick.
  • Lap 256: Mark Martin took over the lead from David Gilliland.
  • Lap 260: Jimmie Johnson took over the lead from Mark Martin.
  • Lap 261: Mark Martin took over the lead from Jimmie Johnson.
  • Lap 262: Mike Bliss developed engine problems.
  • Lap 265: Caution due to Mike Bliss' accident; ended on lap 271.
  • Lap 272: Jamie McMurray suffered from his vehicle's terminal crash.
  • Lap 274: Caution due to a five-car accident; the caution officially ended on lap 281.
  • Lap 283: Kevin Harvick took over the lead from Mark Martin.
  • Lap 289: Dale Jarrett suffered from his vehicle's terminal crash.
  • Lap 292: Caution due to Sterling Marlin and Dale Jarrett's joint accident; ended on lap 296.
  • Lap 298: Jeff Green suffered from his vehicle's terminal crash.
  • Lap 300: Caution due to Jeff Green's accident; ended on lap 304.
  • Lap 306: Clint Bowyer's vehicle developed a problematic oil line.
  • Lap 307: Caution due to Casey Mears spinning off turn two; ended on lap 309.
  • Finish: Kevin Harvick won the event.

Standings after the race

[edit]
Pos Driver Points[2] Differential
1 Jimmie Johnson 6332 0
2 Matt Kenseth 6269 -63
3 Increase Denny Hamlin 6242 -90
3 Increase Kevin Harvick 6242 -90
5 Decrease Dale Earnhardt Jr. 6217 -115
6 Jeff Gordon 6165 -167
7 Jeff Burton 6107 -225
8 Increase Mark Martin 6059 -273
9 Increase Kasey Kahne 6013 -319
10 Decrease Kyle Busch 5973 -359
[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Weather information for the 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 at the Old Farmers' Almanac
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 race information at Racing Reference
  3. ^ a b c d e 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 Archived 2011-10-05 at the Wayback Machine racing information at Driver Averages
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k 2006 Checkers Auto Parts 500 racing information at Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet
  5. ^ YouTube: Taylor Swift sings the National Anthem at the 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500
  6. ^ a b c 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway Archived 2012-03-31 at the Wayback Machine at NASCAR.About.com
  7. ^ "2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil Practice through Qualifying Comparisons - Phoenix Raceway". frcs.pro. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  8. ^ "Qualifying Times - Checker Auto Parts 500". Crash. 2006-11-11. Retrieved 2021-06-25.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 racing information at Race-Database
  10. ^ YouTube: 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 - Kevin Harvick Wins
  11. ^ Mark Martin's top ten finish at the 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 at MarkMartin.org
  12. ^ "2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil race results". Racing-Reference. Archived from the original on 2021-04-28.
  13. ^ "2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil - The Third Turn". www.thethirdturn.com. Retrieved 2021-06-25.
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