From the April, 2007 issue of Stock Car Insider
Subway Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway Recap
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| NASCAR's Car of Tomorrow got the validation it much needed at Saturday night's Subway Fit 500 at Phoenix. In the closing laps of the race, both Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon made daring passes to claim the lead. If those same passes were made with the "Car of Yesterday", the lead driver would have been spinning out of control into the outside retaining wall while the trailing car breezed by for the lead. With the new rear spoiler and front splitter, the new COT's are no longer as aero sensitive with cars trailing on the rear bumper. The front splitter diverts air around the side of the cars providing lateral stability down the sides of the car while the straight rear spoiler provides more down force. This all helped lead to one of the more dramatic finishes to a race this year! How the top drivers faired: Jeff Gordon put on his best performance in recent time after his crew chief, Steve Letarte, made an ingenious decision to stay on pit road when the final caution came out. By being in the pit box closest to the scoring line, the #24 team was able to execute a pit stop and allow Jeff to pull out in front of the pace car to stay on the lead lap. Jeff assumed the lead when the other lead lap cars pitted under caution, and was able to capture his 76th career victory. Tony Stewart must have been smoking hot at the conclusion of the Subway Fit 500. One of NASCAR's brashest drivers was out-raced by Jeff Gordon in the closing laps. However, the 2nd place finish by Stewart gave him a much needed boost. Smoke jumped two spots in the standings and now sits in 7th place. Dale Earnhardt Jr had a mediocre day, but mediocrity is what the most popular drive in NASCAR needs at the moment. After failing to finish 3 races this year, the 19th place finish on Saturday boosted Jr. to 15th place in the points. Jimmie Johnson is exhibiting the same championship form he had last year. The reigning champion finished in 4th place, his 5th top 5 finish of the year. He now sits 4th in points. Mark Martin’s streak of top 5 finished came to end when the semi-retired driver finished 12th in the Subway Fit 500. Mark Martin still sits in 10th place after taking 2 weeks off earlier in the year.
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