NASCAR Daily News Headlines * November 15, 2009

Who Else, Johnson Dominates at Phoenix

"Chad (Knaus) and I, the conversations we've had, the team meeting, everything was, "we need to show what we're made of, we need to get this done today," Said Johnson. "We knew we had to come out today and run well. We knew this was going to be a great track for the 5 and also for the 24. The only way to get any points on 'em would be to lead the most laps and win the race. We did it. I'm very proud of the fact we looked each other in the eyes, knew what we had to do, and delivered. It wasn't easy. You know, there was a lot of pressure on us to do this. All week long, thinking about this race, wondering if we could come back and step up like we did today, there were just a lot of thoughts that go through the brain. I'm very, very proud of how we delivered and rose to the occasion."

Jeff Burton finished second and Denny Hamlin was third. Mark Martin took the fourth spot followed by Martin Truex Jr., Kurt Busch, Clint Bowyer, Juan Pablo Montoya, Jeff Gordon and David Reutimann to round out the top ten. Johnson needs only to finish 25th or better at Homestead- Miami Speedway next week to win the 2009 Sprint Cup Championship.

There were four cautions for a total of 23 laps. There were four lead changes among nine different drivers. The Sprint Cup Series moves to Homestead-Miami Speedway in Miami, Florida -- next Sunday, November 22nd, for the Ford 400, the final race in the Chase for the Championship. The race will also be broadcast live on MRN Radio and SIRIUS Satellite Radio Channel 128.
For Full Story...     (Insider Racing News)
For Full Final Race Results...     (Insider Racing News)
For top-40 Sprint Cup drivers points...     (Insider Racing News)

Keselowski-Hamlin Meet With NASCAR

Keselowski, who is in his second race as the new Sprint Cup driver for Penske Racing, was in the hauler for about 20 minutes.

“The biggest message was – because I don’t want you guys to speculate on [it] – was just trying to pick and choose who you want to be your friends and enemies in the sport and making sure that I understood that process, what it takes to make it at this level and how you’re going to need friends down the line and make sure that you don’t alienate everybody but at the same time to not give up on being a hard charger,” Keselowski said prior to the drivers meeting for the Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500. “I think that was the basic tone of the conversation, of just trying to figure out what it takes to be successful at this level. I certainly don’t feel like I have all the answers but I’m doing the best I can and will welcome any of the advice I can get.”(scenedaily.com)

Dale Jr.'s Crew Crashes

Some of the team members were evaluated and released at the infield medical center. All of the HMS crewmen are expected to fulfill their duties during the race today, the spokesman said.(scenedaily.com)