Gordon looks to repeat today

A year ago, Jeff Gordon crossed off Phoenix International Raceway from the ever-dwindling list of tracks where the four-time champion had yet to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup race.

His victory in the Subway Fresh Fit 500 also was significant because it was his 76th, matching the career mark of the late Dale Earnhardt. It also was the first of six victories by Gordon in one of the best seasons of his career, even if Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson beat him out for the title.

“Last year was an awesome year for us, all the way around,” Gordon said after qualifying 11th for tonight’s race on the Phoenix oval at Avondale, Ariz.

Each time he gets that first victory at a track, Gordon is elated that he won’t have to answer questions about why he hasn’t won there yet.

“It’s just such a relief, you know,” said Gordon, who finished 10th in the fall race at the track.

But there is another thing to be concerned about: Gordon’s No. 24 Chevrolet has not been running at the end of three of seven races this year, the most DNFs (did not finish) by any driver.

While Gordon has had his struggles, Roush Fenway Racing’s Carl Edwards has three wins, including Texas.

Ryan Newman will start from the pole today, with Elliott Sadler on the outside of the front row and Edwards and Mark Martin right behind. Jimmie Johnson will start seventh.

Nationwide Series

Kyle Busch beat Carl Edwards out of the pits on their final stop, then held off the defending NASCAR Nationwide Series champion for his second straight victory at Phoenix International Raceway.

IndyCar Series

The unification of U.S. open-wheel racing put 12 rookies, including recent IRL IndyCar Series race-winner Graham Rahal, among the initial list of 32 drivers entered in the Indianapolis 500 that will take place on May 25.