Everything you need to know about Sunday's Chase elimination race at PIR
At the end of Sunday's Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 at Phoenix International Raceway the championship picture will be crystal clear. Three drivers will join Martinsville winner Jeff Gordon in the Championship 4, while four other Chase drivers will have their title hopes crushed.
Many believe Kevin Harvick is the man to beat Sunday at Phoenix, as the defending series champion attempts to make history by winning his fifth-straight race at the 1-mile track.
However, his Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Kurt Busch and last week's winner Jimmie Johnson have shown throughout the weekend that Harvick will not simply walk away with the win Sunday afternoon.
Few know what to expect Sunday afternoon, but it should be fun to watch unfold.
Without any further ado, here is everything you need to know about Sunday's race at PIR:
Green flag:
2:45 p.m. ET
Forecast:
According to weather.com, the forecast for Avondale, Arizona is calling for a mix of clouds and sun in the morning followed by cloudy skies in the afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. The high is forecast at 69 degrees with winds light and variable.
Grand marshal:
U.S. Senator John McCain
Honorary pace car driver:
Marine Corps veteran and CEO of Hire Heroes USA, Brian Stann
Invocation:
Chaplain and retired National Guard member Colonel Daniel Butler
National anthem:
Pop singer/songwriter and actress JoJo
Flyover:
F-35, Luke Air Force Base
Defending race winner:
Kevin Harvick. Full race recap here.
March 2015 race winner:
Kevin Harvick. Full race recap here.
Fastest in Practice 1:
Jimmie Johnson. Full practice recap here.
Fastest in Practice 2:
Kurt Busch. Full practice recap here.
Fastest in Final Practice:
Kurt Busch. Full practice recap here.
Front row:
Jimmie Johnson and Kurt Busch. Full qualifying recap here.
Chase standings:
1. Jeff Gordon: Locked into Championship 4
2. Kyle Busch: +11 (over fifth)
3. Kevin Harvick: +10 (over fifth)
4. Martin Truex Jr.: +7 (over fifth)
5. Carl Edwards: -7 (behind fourth)
6. Brad Keselowski: -19 (behind fourth)
7. Kurt Busch: -28 (behind fourth)
8. Joey Logano: -63 (behind fourth)
Starting lineup:
