RELATED: See the full lineup in photos | Staff predictions
Race Day Info
What: 28th annual Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500
Where: Phoenix International Raceway, 1-mile tri-oval in Avondale, Arizona
Green flag: Scheduled for 2:41 p.m. ET (NBC, MRN, SiriusXM); coverage moved to NBCSN at 6 p.m. ET
Forecast: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71. East northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon. (NOAA.gov).
National anthem: JoJo, pop singer/songwriter and actress
Grand marshal: Commander of the 56th Fighter Wing of Luke AFB, General Scott Pleus. (Arizona Senator John McCain was originally scheduled to be the grand marshal.)
Honorary Starter: Lt. Col., Retired, Rob Ells, Director of Veteran Recruiting, Quicken Loans
Distance: 312 laps, 312 miles
Pit road speed: 45 mph
Caution car speed: 50 mph
Competition caution: Lap 40
On the Front Row
1. Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 Chevrolet (143.158 mph)
2. Kurt Busch, Stewart-Haas Racing No. 41 Chevrolet (142.880 mph)
RELATED: Full lineup | See all 43 cars
Failed to Qualify
None.
Fastest in Practice
First practice: Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 Chevrolet (141.827 mph) | Results
Second practice: Kurt Busch, Stewart-Haas Racing No. 41 Chevrolet (139.627 mph) | Results
Final practice: Kurt Busch, Stewart-Haas Racing No. 41 Chevrolet (140.029 mph) | Results
Key story lines
1. Two into one? A tough task for teammates
2. Edwards says JGR team in “must-win” situation
3. For Busch, comeback not complete without title shot
RELATED: Standings heading into Sunday’s race | Chase Grid
Former winners in the field
Kevin Harvick (7); Jimmie Johnson (4); Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon (2); Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch (1).
They Said It
“At this point of our season it’s no secret. It’s not about a top-10 here, it’s about a win and nothing less.” Joey Logano, Team Penske No. 22 Ford