2006 Checker Auto Parts 500

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2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil
Race details [1] [2] [3] [4]
Race 35 of 36 in the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season
2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 program cover.png
2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 program cover
Date November 12, 2006 (2006-11-12)
Official name Checker Auto Parts 500
Location Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale, Arizona
Course Permanent racing facility
Course length 1.609 km (1.000 miles)
Distance 312 laps, 312 mi (502 km)
Weather Warm with temperatures approaching 80.1 °F (26.7 °C); wind speeds up to 8 miles per hour (13 km/h)
Average speed 96.131 miles per hour (154.708 km/h)
Attendance 106,000
Pole position
Driver Hendrick Motorsports
Time 26.773
Most laps led
Driver Kevin Harvick Richard Childress Racing
Laps 252
Winner
No. 29Kevin HarvickRichard Childress Racing
Television in the United States
Network NBC
Announcers Bill Weber
Benny Parsons
Wally Dallenbach

The 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil was a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series racing event that took place on November 12, 2006, at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Arizona.

Contents

The traditional pre-race ceremonies were held with the showing of the national colors along with the invocation service from a local minister. One of country music's top ten recording artists of 2006, Taylor Swift, sang the national anthem prior to the racing event. [5] The green flag was officially waved at 2:35 p.m. and the checked flag was waved at approximately 5:49 p.m. [6] After this race, Colombian native Juan Pablo Montoya and Australian driver Marcos Ambrose would temporarily become the foreigners that would consistently make the racing grid for all the future NASCAR Cup Series races along with limited degrees of success by Scottish IndyCar driver Dario Franchitti.

Events held alongside the 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 on the same weekend include the Casino Arizona 150 (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series) and the Arizona Travel 200 (NASCAR Busch Series).

Entry list

#DriverTeamMakeSponsor
1Martin Truex Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. ChevroletBass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats
01Joe Nemechek Ginn Racing ChevroletPrincipal Financial Group
2Kurt Busch Penske Racing South DodgeMiller Lite
02Brandon Ash Ash Motorsports DodgeSprinter Trucking, Inc.
4Ward Burton Morgan–McClure Motorsports ChevroletLucas Oil
5Kyle Busch Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletKellogg's
6Mark Martin Roush Racing FordAAA Insurance
06Todd Kluever Roush Racing Ford3M Vikuiti, Sharp AQUOS
7Robby Gordon Robby Gordon Motorsports FordHarrah's
07Clint Bowyer Richard Childress Racing ChevroletJack Daniel's
8Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. ChevroletBudweiser
9Kasey Kahne Evernham Motorsports DodgeDodge Dealers, UAW
09Jeremy Mayfield Phoenix Racing DodgeMiccosukee Gaming & Resorts
10Scott Riggs Evernham Motorsports DodgeStanley Tools, Valvoline
11Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaFedEx Ground
12Ryan Newman Penske Racing South FordAlltel
14Sterling Marlin MB2 Motorsports ChevroletPrincipal Financial Group
16Greg Biffle Roush Racing FordNational Guard
17Matt Kenseth Roush Racing FordUSG Sheetrock
18J.J. Yeley Joe Gibbs Racing ChevroletGSK, Boniva
19Elliott Sadler Evernham Motorsports DodgeDodge Dealers, UAW
20Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaHome Depot
21Ken Schrader Wood Brothers Racing FordLittle Debbie
22Dave Blaney Bill Davis Racing ToyotaCaterpillar
24Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletDuPont
25Brian Vickers Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletGMAC
26Jamie McMurray Roush Racing FordIrwin Industrial Tools
29Kevin Harvick Richard Childress Racing ChevroletReese's Cookies
31Jeff Burton Richard Childress Racing ToyotaCingular Wireless
32Travis Kvapil PPI Motorsports ChevroletTide, Downy
34Kevin Lepage Front Row Motorsports DodgeOak Glove Company
37Bill Elliott R&J Racing DodgeMelling
38David Gilliland Robert Yates Racing FordM&M's
40David Stremme Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates DodgeDiscount Tire
41Reed Sorenson Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates DodgeTarget
42Casey Mears Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates DodgeTexaco, Havoline
43Bobby Labonte Petty Enterprises DodgeCheerios Spoonfuls of Stories
45Kyle Petty Petty Enterprises FordWells Fargo
48Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletLowe's
49Mike Bliss BAM Racing DodgeWhatsOnline.com
55Michael Waltrip Waltrip-Jasper Racing DodgeNAPA Auto Parts
61Stanton Barrett Front Row Motorsports DodgeOak Glove Company
66Jeff Green Haas CNC Racing ChevroletBest Buy
71Jason Leffler Braun Racing ChevroletFort McDowell Resort Destination
72Brandon Whitt CJM Racing ChevroletDutch Quality Stone
74Derrike Cope McGlynn Racing DodgeSundance Vacations, Vialafil.com
78Kenny Wallace Furniture Row Racing ChevroletFurniture Row Racing
88Dale Jarrett Robert Yates Racing FordUPS
89Morgan Shepherd Shepherd Racing Ventures FordVictory In Jesus, Eco First
96Tony Raines Hall of Fame Racing ChevroletDLP HDTV
99Carl Edwards Roush Racing FordOffice Depot

Qualifying

# [7] [8] #DriverMakeTeamTimeAvg. Speed (mph)BHND
124Jeff GordonChevrolet Hendrick Motorsports 26.773134.4640.000
229Kevin HarvickChevrolet Richard Childress Racing 26.871133.97300.098
325Brian VickersChevrolet Hendrick Motorsports 26.876133.94900.103
48Dale Earnhardt Jr.Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 26.932133.67000.159
501Joe NemechekChevrolet Ginn Racing 26.942133.62000.169
616Greg BiffleFord Roush Racing 26.959133.53600.186
712Ryan NewmanDodge Penske Racing South 26.963133.51600.190
82Kurt BuschDodge Penske Racing South 26.972133.47200.199
95Kyle BuschChevrolet Hendrick Motorsports 26.975133.45700.202
1017Matt KensethFord Roush Racing 26.983133.41700.210
119Kasey KahneDodge Evernham Motorsports 26.991133.37800.218
1299Carl EdwardsFord Roush Racing 27.039133.14100.266
1338David GillilandFord Robert Yates Racing 27.057133.05200.284
1426Jamie McMurrayFord Roush Racing 27.071132.98400.298
1543Bobby LabonteDodge Petty Enterprises 27.079132.94400.306
1619Elliott SadlerDodge Evernham Motorsports 27.081132.93400.308
1742Casey MearsDodge Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates 27.097132.85600.324
1831Jeff BurtonChevrolet Richard Childress Racing 27.100132.84100.327
1955Michael WaltripDodge Waltrip-Jasper Racing 27.101132.83600.328
2007Clint BowyerChevrolet Richard Childress Racing 27.116132.76300.343
216Mark MartinFord Roush Racing 27.117132.75800.344
2211Denny HamlinChevrolet Joe Gibbs Racing 27.127132.70900.354
2320Tony StewartChevrolet Joe Gibbs Racing 27.132132.68500.359
244Ward BurtonChevrolet Morgan–McClure Motorsports 27.186132.42100.413
2566Jeff GreenChevrolet Haas CNC Racing 27.222132.24600.449
261Martin Truex Jr.Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 27.228132.21700.455
2788Dale JarrettFord Robert Yates Racing 27.253132.09600.480
2841Reed SorensonDodge Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates 27.284131.94500.511
2948Jimmie JohnsonChevrolet Hendrick Motorsports 27.299131.87300.526
3014Sterling MarlinChevrolet MB2 Motorsports 27.315131.79600.542
3122Dave BlaneyDodge Bill Davis Racing 27.354131.60800.581
3221Ken SchraderFord Wood Brothers Racing 27.354131.60800.581
3332Travis KvapilChevrolet PPI Motorsports 27.382131.47300.609
3445Kyle PettyDodge Petty Enterprises 27.398131.39600.625
3518J.J. YeleyChevrolet Joe Gibbs Racing 27.439131.20000.666
3640David StremmeDodge Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates 27.464131.08100.691
3772Brandon WhittChevrolet CJM Racing 27.484130.98500.711
3849Mike BlissDodge BAM Racing 27.488130.96600.715
3961Chad ChaffinDodge Front Row Motorsports 27.532130.75700.759
407Robby Gordon*Chevrolet Robby Gordon Motorsports 27.608130.39700.835
4196Tony Raines*Chevrolet Hall of Fame Racing 27.623130.32600.850
4210Scott Riggs*Dodge Evernham Motorsports 27.724129.85100.951
4337Bill Elliott**Dodge R&J Racing 28.106128.087
Failed to qualify
4471Jason LefflerChevrolet Braun Racing 27.588130.492
4506Todd KlueverFord Roush Racing 27.613130.373
4689Morgan ShepherdDodge Shepherd Racing Ventures 27.663130.138
4702Brandon AshDodge Ash Motorsports 27.699129.969
4834Kevin LepageChevrolet Front Row Motorsports 27.780129.590
4978Kenny WallaceChevrolet Furniture Row Racing 27.930128.894
5074Derrike CopeDodge McGlynn Racing 27.935128.871
5109Jeremy MayfieldDodge Phoenix Racing 28.046128.361

*Qualified by owner's points.

**Qualified by champion's provisional.

Race recap

For pre-race ceremonies, the Luke Air Force Base Honor Guard presented the nation's colors. Phoenix International Raceway chaplain Ken Bowers gave the invocation. Rising country music artist at the time Taylor Swift performed the national anthem. Doug Bowens, on behalf of Pennzoil would give out the starting command.

Brandon Whitt would "earn" the last-place finish in his only NASCAR Nextel Cup Series start due to a rear end issue on lap 123 of 312. [2] [3] [4] [9]

Kevin Harvick defeated Jimmie Johnson by a ¼ of a second in front of 106,000 people after three hours and fourteen minutes of racing action. [2] [10] Harvick dominated this race, leading exactly 80.7% of the race. [2] [4] [9] There were 12 lead changes in addition to ten caution flag waved by NASCAR for 58 laps. [2] [4] [9] There was at least one red flag in the race; it was waved due to a multi-car accident on lap 305. [11] Jeff Gordon qualified for the pole position with a speed of 134.646 miles per hour (216.692 km/h) while the average speed of the race was 96.131 miles per hour (154.708 km/h). [2] [4] [9]

This was the final career race for team owner Doug Bawel. [2] [4] [9] It was also the last DNF for Clint Bowyer until the 2009 race in Darlington. [2] [4] [9] Brandon Whitt did a great job making this race, considering the team and his limited experience. His only other start that year was an ARCA race, and he had a DNQ to go with each of them. [2] [4] [9]

The other finishers in the top ten were: Denny Hamlin, Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, Mark Martin, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Jeff Burton. [2] [3] [4] [9] Now-retired drivers Kyle Petty and Dale Jarrett also participated in this race during their twilight years. [2] [3] [4] Seven drivers failed to make the race while Robby Gordon was sent to the back of the grid due to an engine replacement. [2] Kyle Busch failed to finish in the top ten in his Hendrick Motorsports #5 Chevrolet Monte Carlo machine. [2] [3] [4] [9]

Drivers were racing for a prize bounty of $4,892,924 ($7,395,115.9 when adjusted for inflation) with Jimmie Johnson being ahead of Matt Kenseth by a mere 17 points. [6] While Tony Stewart scored more points than the top ten drivers, the best result that he could come up within the 2006 NASCAR Cup Series season would be eleventh place in the drivers' championship standings. [6] The "Chase for the Cup" formula at that time had the best ten drivers compete for the championship – as opposed to 16 in today's formula.

Results

Fin [12] [13] St#DriverMakeTeamSponsorLapsLedStatusPtsWinnings
1229Kevin HarvickChevrolet Richard Childress Racing Reese's Cookies312252running190216825
22948Jimmie JohnsonChevrolet Hendrick Motorsports Lowe's31228running175183275
32211Denny HamlinChevrolet Joe Gibbs Racing FedEx Ground3120running165139800
4124Jeff GordonChevrolet Hendrick Motorsports DuPont3123running165136125
51299Carl EdwardsFord Roush Racing Office Depot3120running155120425
6216Mark MartinFord Roush Racing AAA Insurance31226running155104725
7119Kasey KahneDodge Evernham Motorsports Dodge Dealers, UAW3120running14699025
882Kurt BuschDodge Penske Racing South Miller Lite3120running14293050
948Dale Earnhardt Jr.Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Budweiser3120running13888050
101831Jeff BurtonChevrolet Richard Childress Racing Cingular Wireless3120running13490500
11325Brian VickersChevrolet Hendrick Motorsports GMAC3120running13083350
12261Martin Truex Jr.Chevrolet Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats3120running127100608
131017Matt KensethFord Roush Racing USG Sheetrock3121running12986700
142320Tony StewartChevrolet Joe Gibbs Racing Home Depot3120running12191550
15712Ryan NewmanDodge Penske Racing South Alltel3120running11883125
161338David GillilandFord Robert Yates Racing M&M's3121running12077950
171619Elliott SadlerDodge Evernham Motorsports Dodge Dealers, UAW3120running11276500
183640David StremmeDodge Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Discount Tire3120running10992233
19501Joe NemechekChevrolet Ginn Racing Principal Financial Group3120running10675775
203518J.J. YeleyChevrolet Joe Gibbs Racing GSK, Boniva3120running10378350
214196Tony RainesChevrolet Hall of Fame Racing DLP HDTV3120running10067325
224210Scott RiggsDodge Evernham Motorsports Stanley Tools, Valvoline3120running9767100
233122Dave BlaneyDodge Bill Davis Racing Caterpillar3120running9481983
243221Ken SchraderFord Wood Brothers Racing Little Debbie3120running9174625
253445Kyle PettyDodge Petty Enterprises Wells Fargo3120running8886458
261742Casey MearsDodge Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Texaco, Havoline3120running8574175
271543Bobby LabonteDodge Petty Enterprises Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories3110running8274050
28244Ward BurtonChevrolet Morgan–McClure Motorsports Lucas Oil3110running7965425
292841Reed SorensonDodge Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Target3100running7670800
303332Travis KvapilChevrolet PPI Motorsports Tide, Downy3100running7372722
314337Bill ElliottDodge R&J Racing Melling3090running7062550
32407Robby GordonChevrolet Robby Gordon Motorsports Harrah's3070running6762400
332007Clint BowyerChevrolet Richard Childress Racing Jack Daniel's3060oil line6471225
34616Greg BiffleFord Roush Racing National Guard3060running6182350
353961Chad ChaffinDodge Front Row Motorsports Oak Glove Company3060running5862025
363014Sterling MarlinChevrolet MB2 Motorsports Principal Financial Group3031running6061875
372566Jeff GreenChevrolet Haas CNC Racing Best Buy2980crash5269750
3895Kyle BuschChevrolet Hendrick Motorsports Kellogg's2910running4979625
392788Dale JarrettFord Robert Yates Racing UPS2890crash4669500
401426Jamie McMurrayFord Roush Racing Irwin Industrial Tools2720crash4380350
413849Mike BlissDodge BAM Racing WhatsOnline.com2620engine4061210
421955Michael WaltripDodge Waltrip-Jasper Racing NAPA Auto Parts2340engine3761085
433772Brandon WhittChevrolet CJM Racing Dutch Quality Stone1230rear end3461286
Failed to qualify
4471Jason LefflerChevrolet Braun Racing Fort McDowell Resort Destination
4506Todd KlueverFord Roush Racing 3M Vikuiti, Sharp AQUOS
4689Morgan ShepherdDodge Shepherd Racing Ventures Victory In Jesus, Eco First
4702Brandon AshDodge Ash Motorsports Sprinter Trucking, Inc.
4834Kevin LepageChevrolet Front Row Motorsports Oak Glove Co.
4978Kenny WallaceChevrolet Furniture Row Racing Furniture Row Racing
5074Derrike CopeDodge McGlynn Racing Sundance Vacations, Vialafil.com
5109Jeremy MayfieldDodge Phoenix Racing Miccosukee Gaming & Resorts

Timeline

Section reference: [2]

Standings after the race

PosDriverPoints [2] Differential
1 1rightarrow.png Jimmie Johnson 63320
2 1rightarrow.png Matt Kenseth 6269-63
3 Increase2.svg Denny Hamlin 6242-90
3 Increase2.svg Kevin Harvick 6242-90
5 Decrease2.svg Dale Earnhardt Jr. 6217-115
6 1rightarrow.png Jeff Gordon 6165-167
7 1rightarrow.png Jeff Burton 6107-225
8 Increase2.svg Mark Martin 6059-273
9 Increase2.svg Kasey Kahne 6013-319
10 Decrease2.svg Kyle Busch 5973-359

References

  1. Weather information for the 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 at the Old Farmers' Almanac
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 race information at Racing Reference
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 Archived 2011-10-05 at the Wayback Machine racing information at Driver Averages
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2006 Checkers Auto Parts 500 racing information at Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet
  5. YouTube: Taylor Swift sings the National Anthem at the 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500
  6. 1 2 3 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway Archived 2012-03-31 at the Wayback Machine at NASCAR.About.com
  7. "2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil Practice through Qualifying Comparisons - Phoenix Raceway". frcs.pro. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  8. "Qualifying Times - Checker Auto Parts 500". Crash. November 11, 2006. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 racing information at Race-Database
  10. YouTube: 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 - Kevin Harvick Wins
  11. Mark Martin's top ten finish at the 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 at MarkMartin.org
  12. "2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil race results". Racing-Reference. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021.
  13. "2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil - The Third Turn". www.thethirdturn.com. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
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2006 Dickies 500
Nextel Cup Series
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