AVONDALE, Ariz. --- Of all the second-place finishes in Mark Martin's career -- and there have been a bunch -- the prospect of being second again in this year's Chase for the Championship doesn't seem so bad.
After spending so much of his career finding the racing glass half-empty, the 50-year-old driver seems genuinely content going into today's Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Speedway.
He's 73 points behind Jimmie Johnson and his quest for a NASCAR-record fourth-consecutive championship.
But like so many other seasons, the odds favor another failed attempt to clear the only remaining hurdle in his career -- a championship.
This time there are no regrets, no pity. This time Martin is grateful for the opportunity to be with Hendrick Motorsports and the perks, like contending for a championship, that come with it.
If Johnson finishes no worse than fourth in the final two races, he will win the championship. Martin isn't worried about any of that, especially going into today's race (3:15 p.m., ABC-Ch. 6). He just wants to get the most out of a magical season that's already included five victories and seven pole positions.
While Johnson tries to set the record for most consecutive championships, Martin can tie the record set by Bobby Allison and Richard Petty with five second-place finishes. Allison and Petty, however, found redemption by winning a championship.
Martin Truex Jr. will start on the pole, followed by Kurt Busch in second and Johnson in third. The rest of the top-10 starters are: Kasey Kahne in fourth, Denny Hamlin in fifth, Greg Biffle in sixth, Kyle Busch in seventh, Tony Stewart in eighth, Casey Mears in ninth and Martin in 10th.
Reach Don Coble at don.coble@morris.com.
SPRINT CUP SERIES
WHAT: Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500, at
WHEN: 3:15 p.m. today
WHERE: Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale, Ariz.
TV: ABC-Ch. 6
At Phoenix International Raceway
Avondale, Ariz.
Lap length: 1 miles
(Car number in parentheses)
1. (1) Martin Truex Jr., Chevrolet, 135.12.
2. (2) Kurt Busch, Dodge, 134.579.
3. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 134.454.
4. (9) Kasey Kahne, Dodge, 134.293.
5. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 134.228.
6. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford, 134.223.
7. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 134.173.
8. (14) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 134.078.
9. (07) Casey Mears, Chevrolet, 134.028.
10. (5) Mark Martin, Chevrolet, 134.023.
11. (55) Michael Waltrip, Toyota, 133.949.
12. (77) Sam Hornish Jr., Dodge, 133.924.
13. (33) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 133.879.
14. (24) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 133.874.
15. (00) David Reutimann, Toyota, 133.864.
16. (44) AJ Allmendinger, Ford, 133.759.
17. (42) Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevrolet, 133.72.
18. (88) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 133.7.
19. (83) Brian Vickers, Toyota, 133.68.
20. (71) Bobby Labonte, Chevrolet, 133.571.
21. (47) Marcos Ambrose, Toyota, 133.551.
22. (7) Robby Gordon, Toyota, 133.417.
23. (13) Max Papis, Toyota, 133.403.
24. (39) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 133.24.
25. (99) Carl Edwards, Ford, 133.215.
26. (12) Brad Keselowski, Dodge, 133.161.
27. (20) Joey Logano, Toyota, 133.151.
28. (17) Matt Kenseth, Ford, 133.121.
29. (09) David Gilliland, Chevrolet, 133.087.
30. (26) Jamie McMurray, Ford, 133.062.
31. (29) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 132.93.
32. (66) Dave Blaney, Toyota, 132.925.
33. (6) David Ragan, Ford, 132.812.
34. (87) Joe Nemechek, Toyota, 132.783.
35. (19) Elliott Sadler, Dodge, 132.763.
36. (31) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, 132.65.
37. (82) Scott Speed, Toyota, 132.333.
38. (36) Michael McDowell, Toyota, 132.275.
39. (96) Erik Darnell, Ford, 132.178.
40. (43) Reed Sorenson, Dodge, Owner Points.
41. (98) Paul Menard, Ford, Owner Points.
42. (34) John Andretti, Chevrolet, Owner Points.
43. (37) Tony Raines, Chevrolet, 132.091. Failed to Qualify
44. (78) Regan Smith, Chevrolet, 132.062.
45. (70) Kevin Conway, Chevrolet, 131.892.
46. (02) Brandon Ash, Dodge, 130.662.
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