DRIVERS | Chase for Championship
TONY STEWART
Car: No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet
Chase points: First, 6,255
Position change: None
What happened: Stewart finished sixth in Texas, and his lead over Jimmie Johnson was cut to 38 points. But he's become the master of bonus points, leading three laps to earn a five-point bonus. He's scored 50 bonus points for leading laps during the Chase, the most among the Chase drivers. Stewart has competed in seven races at Phoenix with four top-10 finishes, including a victory in 1999. He placed 33rd at Phoenix in April, his worst finish there.
JIMMIE JOHNSON
Car: No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet
Chase points: Second, 6,217
Position change: None
What happened: Johnson passed Stewart in the closing laps at Texas to finish fifth, and said he believes he's still got a chance at the championship with two races remaining. Johnson has run four races at Phoenix with two top-10 finishes; he placed 15th in April, tying his worst effort there in his 2002 rookie season.
CARL EDWARDS
Car: No. 99 Office Depot Ford
Chase points: Third, 6,178
Position change: Plus 1
What happened: Edwards won for the second straight week -- his fourth victory of the year -- to close within 77 points of Stewart. Edwards has just two starts at Phoenix, finishing seventh in April and 39th last season.
GREG BIFFLE
Car: No. 16 National Guard/Subway Ford
Chase points: Fourth, 6,133
Position change: Minus 1
What happened: Biffle likely saw his shot at the title slip away in Texas by finishing 20th, worst of the Roush Racing drivers. Biffle has run three races at Phoenix, his best effort there was a 13th in 2004. He was 41st in April.
MARK MARTIN
Car: No. 6 Viagra Ford
Chase points: Fifth, 6,132
Position change: Plus 1
What happened: Martin finished second to teammate Edwards in Texas, but it didn't really help him significantly in the standings. He's still 123 points out of the lead. Martin has competed in all 18 races at Phoenix with 13 top-10 finishes,
MATT KENSETH
Car: No. 17 DeWalt Tools Ford
Chase points: Sixth, 6,120
Position change: Plus 1
What happened: Kenseth led a ton of laps in Texas, but wound up finishing third behind his teammates. Kenseth has competed in six races at Phoenix with three top-10 finishes, including a victory in 2002. He was 42nd in April.
RYAN NEWMAN
Car: No. 12 ALLTEL Dodge
Chase points: Seventh, 6,081
Position change: Minus 2
What happened: Newman's slide to the rear of the Chase field continued with his 25th-place finish in Texas. His day started poorly -- Newman was forced to begin the race at the back of the field after crashing his car during his pole-winning qualifying laps. Newman has run six races at Phoenix with two top-10 finishes; his highest finish was a second in 2004.
KURT BUSCH
Car: No. 97 Irwin Industrial Tools/Sharpie Ford
Chase points: Eighth, 5,974
Position change: Plus 1
What happened: Busch finished 10th in Texas, but his biggest victory came a day later when he was released from Roush Racing and freed to go drive for car owner Roger Penske next season. Busch has competed in six races at Phoenix with four top-10 finishes, including a victory in April.
RUSTY WALLACE
Car: No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge
Chase points: Ninth, 5,940
Position change: Minus 1
What happened: Wallace was strong the entire race, but decided not to pit for tires under the final caution and dropped from fourth on the restart with 11 laps to go to 22nd. Wallace has competed in all 18 Phoenix races with eight top-10 finishes, including a victory in 1998.
JEREMY MAYFIELD
Car: No. 19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge
Chase points: Tenth, 5,848
Position change: None
What happened: Mayfield became the first driver to be mathematically eliminated from the Nextel Cup championship after finishing 35th. Mayfield has run 11 races at Phoenix with one top-10 finish, a runner-up effort in 2000.
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