Credit: Autostock

By the Numbers: Checker Auto Parts 500

AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Phoenix International Raceway has only a 16-year history of NASCAR Cup racing, but its impact has been significant enough to merit a second Nextel Cup date in the spring of 2005.

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But in 2004, the uniquely configured one-mile oval is the perfect setting for Sunday's Checker Auto Parts 500, the 34th of 36 events on the season, and the eighth stop in NASCAR's first 10-race "playoff" for the title of its premier division -- the Chase for the Nextel Cup.

A pair of veteran drivers who are in the midst of the Chase is most likely to add to Phoenix's statistical legacy.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the defending race winner, while Ryan Newman, for the second consecutive weekend carries a significant Bud Pole winning streak into the weekend.

The following numbers refer to Phoenix unless otherwise noted.

0 -- The number of races won from the pole position.

.17 -- Mark Martin's closest margin of victory, in seconds, over Ernie Irvan in 1993.

1 -- The only driver who has started every race who hasn't won, namely Ken Schrader.

1 -- The fewest lead changes, in 1990.

2 -- The fewest leaders, in 1990.

2 -- The fewest cautions, in 1999.

2 -- Jeff Burton and Davey Allison's leading number of career victories.

2 -- Ryan Newman's number of consecutive Bud Poles.

3 -- Rusty Wallace's leading number of career pole positions.

3 -- The fewest finishers on the lead lap, in 1994.

3 -- The number of different winners in the last three races: Jeff Burton, Matt Kenseth and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

4 -- Roush Racing's leading number of car owner victories.

5 -- Kyle Petty's leading number of DNFs.

6 -- The number of races won from starting positions inside the top-10, or 38 percent.

6.4 -- Rusty Wallace's average starting position, best of all drivers.

7 -- The number of drivers who have competed in every race: Bill Elliott, Dale Jarrett, Terry Labonte, Mark Martin, Ricky Rudd, Ken Schrader and Rusty Wallace.

9 -- The degree of banking in Turns 3 and 4.

10 -- The most caution periods, most recent of two times in 2003.

10 -- The fewest caution laps, in 1999.

11 -- The degree of banking in Turns 1 and 2.

11 -- Ford's leading number of victories.

11.44 -- Davey Allison's greatest margin of victory, in seconds, over Darrell Waltrip in 1991.

12.5 -- The average starting position of race winners.

14 -- The number of different race winners.

15 -- Rusty Wallace's number of top-10 starts.

16 -- Terry Labonte's streak of consecutive races running at the finish, the only driver to do so.

16 -- The most leaders, in 1995.

23 -- The most lead changes, in 2000.

27 -- The fewest cars running at the finish, in 1989.

29 -- Ricky Rudd's starting position for the 1995 Dura Lube 500, the furthest back a winner has started in a 500-kilometer race.

29 -- The most finishers on the lead lap, in 2003.

30 -- The fewest laps led by a 500-kilometer race winner, by Davey Allison in 1992.

41 -- The most cars running at the finish, most recent of two times in 1999.

45 -- The pit road speed limit, in miles per hour. Under caution, the pace vehicle will travel 50 mph.

66 -- The most caution laps, in 2003.

118.132 -- Tony Stewart's 500-kilometer race record average speed, in miles per hour, set in 1999.

134.178 -- Rusty Wallace's Bud Pole Qualifying record, in miles per hour, set in 2000.

262 -- The most laps led in a 500-kilometer race, by Dale Earnhardt in 1990.

400 -- Bobby Labonte's career Cup starts if he starts Sunday.

600 -- Mark Martin's career Cup starts if he starts Sunday.

750 -- Ricky Rudd's record consecutive career Cup starts if he starts Sunday.

868 -- Rusty Wallace's leading total of laps led.

76,812 -- The announced grandstand seating capacity.

$4,779,100 -- Posted awards for the Checker Auto Parts 500.