2015 Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500

February 2025 NAS Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 http://www.nascar.com/content/dam/nascar/download-schedule/2015/nscs_2015_printable_schedule3.pdf 2015 NASCAR Schedule NASCAR Media Group, LLC. August 26, 2014 NASCAR.com November 9, 2015 April 4, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150404031856/http://www.nascar.com/content/dam/nascar/download-schedule/2015/nscs_2015_printable_schedule3.pdf deadhttp://www.nascar.com/en_us/nascar-tracks/phoenix-international-raceway.html Phoenix International Raceway NASCAR Media Group, LLC. January 3, 2013 NASCAR.com November 9, 2015http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Season-Stats/Statistics.aspx?SubSeriesID=1&YearID=44&RaceID=6823&StatType=Entry+List Entry List Motor Racing Network November 9, 2015 MRN.com November 9, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151110195652/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Season-Stats/Statistics.aspx?SubSeriesID=1&YearID=44&RaceID=6823&StatType=Entry+List November 10, 2015 deadhttp://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2015/10/Quicken-Loans-Race-for-Heroes-500-1st-Practice-Speeds.aspx First Practice Results Motor Racing Network November 13, 2015 MRN.com November 13, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151115140314/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2015/10/Quicken-Loans-Race-for-Heroes-500-1st-Practice-Speeds.aspx November 15, 2015 deadhttp://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Season-Stats/Statistics.aspx?SubSeriesID=1&YearID=44&RaceID=6823&StatType=Starting+Lineup Starting Lineup Motor Racing Network November 13, 2015 MRN.com November 13, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151116123833/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Season-Stats/Statistics.aspx?SubSeriesID=1&YearID=44&RaceID=6823&StatType=Starting+Lineup November 16, 2015 deadhttp://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2015/10/Quicken-Loans-Race-for-Heroes-500-2nd-Practice-Speeds.aspx Second Practice Results Motor Racing Network November 14, 2015 MRN.com November 14, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151116214931/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2015/10/Quicken-Loans-Race-for-Heroes-500-2nd-Practice-Speeds.aspx November 16, 2015 deadhttp://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2015/10/Quicken-Loans-Race-for-Heroes-500-Final-Practice-Speeds.aspx Final Practice Results Motor Racing Network November 14, 2015 MRN.com November 14, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032937/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Additional-Statistics/2015/10/Quicken-Loans-Race-for-Heroes-500-Final-Practice-Speeds.aspx November 17, 2015 deadhttp://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Season-Stats/Statistics.aspx?SubSeriesID=1&YearID=44&RaceID=6823&StatType=Race+Results Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 Results Motor Racing Network November 16, 2015 MRN.com November 16, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151117124001/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/Statistics/Season-Stats/Statistics.aspx?SubSeriesID=1&YearID=44&RaceID=6823&StatType=Race+Results November 17, 2015 deadhttp://www.jayski.com/stats/2015/pdfs/35phx2015chase.pdf Points standings NASCAR Statistics November 16, 2015 Jayski.com November 16, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151117081459/http://www.jayski.com/stats/2015/pdfs/35phx2015chase.pdf November 17, 2015 deadhttp://www.jayski.com/stats/2015/pdfs/35phx2015racereport.pdf Manufacturer standings NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications November 16, 2015 Jayski.com November 16, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151117132446/http://www.jayski.com/stats/2015/pdfs/35phx2015racereport.pdf November 17, 2015 dead 2015 11 15 2015 35 36 class=skin-invert|250px Jeff Gordon Raceway in Avondale, Arizona 1 1.609 219 219 352.446 312 312 502.115 Cloudy with a temperature of 65 F C; wind out of the east at 8 mph km/h on 106.512 mph km/h on Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports 25.147 Kevin Harvick Stewart–Haas Racing 143 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hendrick Motorsports NBCSN Rick Allen, Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte 1.3/2 (Overnight)http://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2015/11/sports-ratings-college-football-sec-espn-nascar-chase-cup-phoenix-nbcsn-xfinity/ Ratings Roundup: More CFB, Delayed NASCAR, NASCAR Xfinity Paulsen Sports Media Watch November 16, 2015 SportsMediaWatch.com November 17, 20151.4/2 (Final)http://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2015/11/nascar-ratings-nbcsn-phoenix-delay-low-xfinity-usmnt-viewership-bein-espn2/ Ratings Roundup: Delayed NASCAR, NASCAR Xfinity, Soccer Friendlies Paulsen Sports Media Watch November 19, 2015 SportsMediaWatch.com November 20, 20152.2 Million viewers MRN Jeff Striegle, Alex Hayden and Rusty Wallace Dan Hubbard (1 & 2) and Kyle Rickey (3 & 4) The 2015 Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 was a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held on November 15, 2015, at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. Contested over 219 laps – shortened from 312 due to rain – on the 1 mi km off on oval, it was the 35th race of the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, ninth race of the Chase and final race of the Eliminator Round. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the race, his third of the season. Kevin Harvick finished second, while Joey Logano, Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson rounded out the top-five. Johnson won the pole for the race and led 44 laps on his way to a fifth-place finish. Harvick led a race high of 143 laps on his way to a runner-up finish. There were eight lead changes among seven different drivers, as well as two cautions for 29 laps. This was the 26th career victory for Earnhardt, third of the season, third at Phoenix International Raceway and 10th at the track for Hendrick Motorsports. It moved him to seventh in the points standings. The win clinched Chevrolet its 13th consecutive manufacturers' championship and 39th overall. It would ultimately prove to be Earnhardt's final career victory before his retirement in 2017. The Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 was carried by NBC Sports on the cable/satellite NBCSN network for the American television audience. The radio broadcast for the race was carried by the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. Report Background thumb|left|Phoenix International Raceway, the track where the race was held. Phoenix International Raceway (Jeff Gordon Raceway) is a 1 mi km off on, low-banked tri-oval race track located in Avondale, Arizona. Jeff Gordon entered with a two-point lead over Kyle Busch,Jensen Tom Jeff Gordon uses race at Texas as Chase learning experience http://www.foxsports.com/nascar/story/jeff-gordon-jimmie-johnson-hendrick-motorsports-texas-race-chase-learning-experience-110915 FoxSports.com Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC. November 10, 2015 November 9, 2015 a three-point lead over third-placed Kevin Harvick,Bruce Kenny Harvick rallies at Texas, keeps title hopes alive http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2015/11/8/kevin-harvick-tire-late-texas-chase-standings.html NASCAR.com NASCAR Media Group, LLC. November 10, 2015 Fort Worth, Texas November 8, 2015 and Martin Truex Jr. entered fourth six points back.Hembree Mike NASCAR's Martin Truex Jr. ditches clams to chase championship https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2015/11/09/martin-truex-jr-chase-sprint-cup-clam-boats/75485796/ November 10, 2015 USA Today Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. November 9, 2015 Fort Worth, Texas Carl Edwards entered fifth 13 points back,http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/one-last-shot-to-make-nascar-s-final-four/ One last shot to make NASCAR's final four Spencer Lee Motorsport.com, Inc. November 9, 2015 Motorsport.com November 10, 2015 Brad Keselowski was a further six points back in sixth,Fryer Jenna Column: Team Penske battling each other with title on line http://racing.ap.org/article/column-team-penske-battling-each-other-title-line November 10, 2015 Associated Press Associated Press AP Sports November 10, 2015 Charlotte, North Carolina https://web.archive.org/web/20151110143544/http://racing.ap.org/article/column-team-penske-battling-each-other-title-line November 10, 2015 with the top eight placings completed by Kurt Busch (seventh; thirty-four points behind) and Joey Logano (eighth; sixty-nine points behind).http://www.speedwaymedia.com/?p=103598 Kurt Busch Posts Solid Seventh Place Finish In Texas McCubbin Ashley USA Today Sports Digital Properties. November 8, 2015 SpeedwayMedia.com November 10, 2015Scott David Joey Logano’s poor finish means he must win at Phoenix to advance https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/thatsracin/article43698648.html November 10, 2015 The Charlotte Observer The McClatchy Company November 8, 2015 Fort Worth, Texas Jeff Gordon Raceway On June 11, 2015, Phoenix International Raceway announced that it would be renamed Jeff Gordon Raceway for the Sprint Cup Series race.Knight Michael PIR to be renamed in honor of Jeff Gordon for fall race http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/motor/2015/06/11/pir-renamed-honor-jeff-gordon-fall-race/71083642/ November 10, 2015 The Arizona Republic Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. June 11, 2015 registration Track President Bryan Sperber said that they "were thinking of it like an athlete getting the keys to the city. It (the idea) took off from there. Starting with the quirky layout of our track, it seems like Phoenix always does things a little different. We're the next-to-last race so a lot of good ideas will already have been implemented at other venues. We thought, 'We better step up our game' and do something really cool, that the fans can be a part of, that what we do for Jeff is remembered." Chase-clinching scenarios The following Chase-clinching scenarios were in play for the weekend's race. Jeff Gordon: Clinched by virtue of his Martinsville victory. Kyle Busch: Would have clinched with either a finish of third or better, fourth and at least one lap led or fifth and most laps led. (Finished fourth with one lap led) Kevin Harvick: Would have clinched with a finish of second or better, third and at least one lap led or fourth and most laps led. (Finished second with most [143] laps led) Martin Truex Jr., Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski and Kurt Busch: All four could only guarantee advancement with a win, but could also qualify on points depending on how the rest of the Chase drivers do. (Truex Jr. finished 14th, Edwards 12th, Keselowski ninth and Kurt Busch seventh) Joey Logano: Could only advance via a win (point deficit too big for advancement on points). Finished third.http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2015/11/9/chase-clinching-scenarios-for-phoenix-eliminator-round.html Chase-clinching scenarios for Phoenix NASCAR Media Group, LLC. November 9, 2015 NASCAR.com November 10, 2015 Entry list The entry list for the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 was released on Monday, November 9 at 1:23 p.m. Eastern time. Forty-three cars were entered for the race. Ryan Ellis made his Sprint Cup Series debut in the No. 33 Hillman-Circle Sport LLC Chevrolet.Aragon Dominic Ellis set for Sprint Cup debut http://www.theracingexperts.com/ellis-set-for-sprint-cup-debut.php theracingexperts.com The Racing Experts November 15, 2015 Avondale, Arizona November 15, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151117023436/http://www.theracingexperts.com/ellis-set-for-sprint-cup-debut.php November 17, 2015 dead Ryan Preece drove the No. 98 Premium Motorsports Ford. Erik Jones drove the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota while Matt Kenseth served the second of his two-race suspension.Gluck Jeff NASCAR's Erik Jones driven to exceed high expectations https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2015/11/11/erik-jones-joe-gibbs-racing-trucks-xfinity-sprint-cup/75604736/ November 12, 2015 USA Today Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. November 11, 2015 Huntersville, North Carolina No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer 1 Jamie McMurray Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet 2 Brad Keselowski (PC3) Team Penske Ford 3 Austin Dillon Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 4 Kevin Harvick (PC1) Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 5 Kasey Kahne Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 6 Trevor Bayne Roush Fenway Racing Ford 7 Alex Bowman Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet 9 Sam Hornish Jr. Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 10 Danica Patrick Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 11 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 13 Casey Mears Germain Racing Chevrolet 14 Tony Stewart (PC4) Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 15 Clint Bowyer Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota 16 Greg Biffle Roush Fenway Racing Ford 17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Roush Fenway Racing Ford 18 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 19 Carl Edwards Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 20 Erik Jones (i) Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 22 Joey Logano Team Penske Ford 23 Jeb Burton (R) BK Racing Toyota 24 Jeff Gordon (PC6) Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 26 J. J. Yeley (i) BK Racing Toyota 27 Paul Menard Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 31 Ryan Newman Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 32 Joey Gase (i) Go FAS Racing Ford 33 Ryan Ellis (i) Hillman-Circle Sport LLC Chevrolet 34 Brett Moffitt (R) Front Row Motorsports Ford 35 Cole Whitt Front Row Motorsports Ford 38 David Gilliland Front Row Motorsports Ford 40 Landon Cassill (i) Hillman-Circle Sport LLC Chevrolet 41 Kurt Busch (PC5) Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 42 Kyle Larson Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet 43 Aric Almirola Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 46 Michael Annett HScott Motorsports Chevrolet 47 A. J. Allmendinger JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet 48 Jimmie Johnson (PC2) Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 51 Justin Allgaier HScott Motorsports Chevrolet 55 David Ragan Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota 62 Timmy Hill Premium Motorsports Chevrolet 78 Martin Truex Jr. Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet 83 Matt DiBenedetto (R) BK Racing Toyota 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 98 Ryan Preece Premium Motorsports FordOfficial entry list Key Meaning (R) Rookie (i) Ineligible for points (PC#) Past champions provisional Practice First practice Jimmie Johnson was the fastest in the first practice session with a time of 25.383 and a speed of 141.827 mph km/h on.http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/jimmie-johnson-leads-first-practice-at-pir/ Jimmie Johnson leads first practice at PIR Spencer Lee Motorsport.com, Inc. November 13, 2015 Motorsport.com November 13, 2015 Avondale, Arizona November 16, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151116074541/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/jimmie-johnson-leads-first-practice-at-pir/ dead Pos No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Time Speed MPH 1 48 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 25.383 141.827 2 42 Kyle Larson Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet 25.391 141.783 3 41 Kurt Busch Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 25.429 141.571Official first practice results Practice (post-qualifying) Second practice Kurt Busch was the fastest in the second practice session with a time of 25.783 and a speed of 139.627 mph km/h on.Spencer Lee November 14, 2015 Kurt Busch tops second Phoenix practice http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/kurt-busch-tops-second-phoenix-practice/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20151116180414/http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/kurt-busch-tops-second-phoenix-practice/ November 16, 2015 November 14, 2015 Motorsport.com Motorsport.com, Inc. Avondale, Arizona PosNo. Car numberDriverTeamManufacturerTimeSpeed MPH141Kurt BuschStewart–Haas RacingChevrolet25.783139.627219Carl EdwardsJoe Gibbs RacingToyota25.851139.260342Kyle LarsonChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet25.871139.152Official second practice results Final practice Kurt Busch was the fastest in the final practice session with a time of 25.709 and a speed of 140.029 mph km/h on.Bonkowski Jerry November 14, 2015 Kurt Busch sweeps both Sprint Cup practice sessions at Phoenix http://nascar.nbcsports.com/2015/11/14/kurt-busch-sweeps-both-sprint-cup-practice-sessions-at-phoenix/ November 14, 2015 nascartalk.nbcsports.com NBC Sports PosNo. Car numberDriverTeamManufacturerTimeSpeed MPH141Kurt BuschStewart–Haas RacingChevrolet25.709140.029248Jimmie JohnsonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet25.827139.389388Dale Earnhardt Jr.Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet25.875139.130Official final practice results Qualifying thumb|right|Jimmie Johnson scored the pole for the race. Jimmie Johnson won the pole with a new track record time of 25.147 and a speed of 143.158 mph km/h on.James Brant Johnson wins Phoenix pole; Kyle Busch, Keselowski size up chances https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2015/11/13/jimmie-johnson-wins-phoenix-pole/75741294/ November 13, 2015 USA Today Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. November 13, 2015 Avondale, Arizona He said that his team "didn’t have the summer that we wanted, but these guys have been working so hard on the No. 48 team and at Hendrick Motorsports. So, I’m very happy to see the progress and the direction things are going. It’s been a little bit, everywhere. If we keep doing that, we’re going to close this season out just like we want to and be ready for 2016.”Pistone Pete Phoenix Pole to Johnson http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/11/Phoenix-Pole-to-Johnson.aspx MRN.com Motor Racing Network November 13, 2015 Avondale, Arizona https://web.archive.org/web/20151116004017/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/11/Phoenix-Pole-to-Johnson.aspx November 16, 2015 dead Kurt Busch, who qualified second, said he felt that he "let the team down a little on that lap because our car is better than that. But starting upfront here is a big advantage and we’ll work on the car a little tomorrow to fine tune and be ready to go out and race on Sunday and hope for a win.” Joey Logano, who qualified 14th, said that he "just missed it a little bit. I wish we were in the next round and going for a pole, but the fact of the matter is we’re gonna start 14th and we’re gonna work on our car tomorrow and get it ready to win a race on Sunday.” Qualifying results Pos No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer R1 Best time in Round 1 R2 Best time in Round 2 R3 Best time in Round 3 1 48 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 25.688 25.306 25.147 2 41 Kurt Busch Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 25.445 25.178 25.196 3 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 25.661 25.309 25.249 4 19 Carl Edwards Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 25.610 25.310 25.263 5 78 Martin Truex Jr. Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet 25.765 25.386 25.300 6 42 Kyle Larson Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet 25.448 25.305 25.301 7 20 Erik Jones (i) Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 25.655 25.344 25.313 8 4 Kevin Harvick Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 25.552 25.319 25.340 9 5 Kasey Kahne Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 25.561 25.397 25.341 10 18 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 25.489 25.404 25.382 11 24 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 25.399 25.319 25.458 12 1 Jamie McMurray Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet 25.804 25.385 25.458 13 11 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 25.440 25.412 — 14 22 Joey Logano Team Penske Ford 25.489 25.419 — 15 27 Paul Menard Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 25.747 25.461 — 16 3 Austin Dillon Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 25.604 25.470 — 17 43 Aric Almirola Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 25.629 25.481 — 18 2 Brad Keselowski Team Penske Ford 25.672 25.483 — 19 17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Roush Fenway Racing Ford 25.725 25.542 — 20 16 Greg Biffle Roush Fenway Racing Ford 25.708 25.588 — 21 10 Danica Patrick Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 25.580 25.645 — 22 31 Ryan Newman Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 25.736 25.663 — 23 47 A. J. Allmendinger JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet 25.746 25.668 — 24 13 Casey Mears Germain Racing Chevrolet 25.736 25.763 — 25 51 Justin Allgaier HScott Motorsports Chevrolet 25.808 — — 26 6 Trevor Bayne Roush Fenway Racing Ford 25.814 — — 27 15 Clint Bowyer Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota 25.850 — — 28 9 Sam Hornish Jr. Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 25.878 — — 29 55 David Ragan Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota 25.916 — — 30 83 Matt DiBenedetto (R) BK Racing Toyota 25.918 — — 31 14 Tony Stewart Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 25.948 — — 32 40 Landon Cassill (i) Hillman-Circle Sport LLC Chevrolet 26.047 — — 33 26 J. J. Yeley (i) BK Racing Toyota 26.056 — — 34 38 David Gilliland Front Row Motorsports Ford 26.110 — — 35 7 Alex Bowman Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet 26.112 — — 36 46 Michael Annett HScott Motorsports Chevrolet 26.125 — — 37 23 Jeb Burton (R) BK Racing Toyota 26.278 — — 38 35 Cole Whitt Front Row Motorsports Ford 26.312 — — 39 32 Joey Gase (i) Go FAS Racing Ford 26.326 — — 40 34 Brett Moffitt (R) Front Row Motorsports Ford 26.381 — — 41 98 Ryan Preece Premium Motorsports Ford 26.571 — — 42 33 Ryan Ellis (i) Hillman-Circle Sport LLC Chevrolet 26.724 — — 43 62 Timmy Hill (i) Premium Motorsports Chevrolet 27.375 — —Official qualifying results Race First half Start The race was scheduled to start at 12:45 p.m., but rain showers delayed the start of the race.Gluck Jeff NASCAR race at Phoenix delayed by rain https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2015/11/15/nascar-race-phoenix-delayed-postponed-rain/75830102/ November 15, 2015 USA Today Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. November 15, 2015 Avondale, Arizona After a delay of over six and a half hours, the cars began rolling off pit road just after 7:00 p.m. Under a clear night Arizona sky, Jimmie Johnson led the field to the green flag at 9:27 p.m.Gluck Jeff Harvick, Truex Jr., Kyle Busch join Gordon in Chase finale; Dale Jr. wins at Phoenix https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2015/11/15/kevin-harvick-kyle-busch-martin-truex-jr-advance-chase-dale-earnhardt-jr-wins-phoenix/75851320/ November 16, 2015 USA Today Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. November 16, 2015 Avondale, Arizona He wouldn't lead the first lap though. That honor went to Kurt Busch. He wouldn't be credited with leading those laps, however, after he was black-flagged for beating the control car (the leader) to the line on the initial start and was forced to serve a pass-through penalty.Scott David Rain at Phoenix, Dale Earnhardt Jr. win end some drives for Chase https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/thatsracin/article45040116.html November 16, 2015 The Charlotte Observer The McClatchy Company November 16, 2015 Avondale, Arizona Following the race, Busch said he "had no reason to jump the start. I had no reason to get excited. We (thought we) had 312 laps to go race. But we’ve had a great season.”Knight Michael Kurt Busch penalty costs him shot at NASCAR Chase finale http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/motor/2015/11/15/nascar-drivers-pir-rain-delay-sprint-cup/75846260/ November 16, 2015 The Arizona Republic Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. November 15, 2015 Avondale, Arizona registration As a result, Johnson was credited with leading those seven laps. The first caution of the race flew on lap 41. This was a scheduled competition caution because of the rain. Kevin Harvick exited pit road with the lead after taking just right-side tires. Johnson was tagged for speeding on pit road. Danica Patrick was tagged for her crew being over the wall too soon. Both restarted the race from the tail-end of the field.2015 Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B38t6Mi--_w November 23, 2015 Sprint Cup Series Sprint Cup Series NBC Sports NBCSN Avondale Arizona November 15, 2015 67 9:27 p.m. en Second quarter The race restarted on lap 48. The heavy betting favorite proceeded to drive away from the rest of the top-10 cars and put everyone up to 20th down a lap. Joey Logano kicked off a round of green flag stops on lap 119. Race leader Harvick pitted on lap 120 and handed the lead to Kyle Busch. He pitted the next lap and handed the lead to Brad Keselowski. He pitted on lap 124 and handed the lead to David Ragan. He pitted on lap 126 and the lead cycled back to Harvick. Trevor Bayne and Keselowski were both tagged for speeding on pit road and were forced to serve drive-through penalties. Second half Halfway thumb|right|Dale Earnhardt Jr., seen here at the 2015 Daytona 500, scored his 26th and final career victory at Phoenix. Logano was the first on pit road at lap 194 to kick off the next round of stops. Harvick pitted the next lap and handed the lead to Dale Earnhardt Jr. He pitted the next lap and handed the lead to Jeff Gordon. The second caution of the race flew on lap 196 for a two-car wreck in turn 3. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. got loose, hit the back of Joey Gase and sent them both into the wall. Earnhardt opted not to pit – having just made his stop prior to the caution – and assumed the race lead. After three attempts to restart the race were waved off because of a safety vehicle sitting on the track in turn 4, the field continued to be under caution due to rain. The race was red-flagged on lap 220. After a few minutes, NASCAR called the race and Earnhardt was declared the winner for the 26th and final time in his career, similar to the rain-shortened 2015 Quicken Loans 400 in June when Kurt Busch scored his second win of the season.Fryer Marshall Jenna John Shortened race in Phoenix determines final 3 Chase spots http://racing.ap.org/article/shortened-race-phoenix-determines-final-3-chase-spots November 16, 2015 Associated Press Associated Press AP Sports November 16, 2015 Avondale, Arizona https://web.archive.org/web/20151116142906/http://racing.ap.org/article/shortened-race-phoenix-determines-final-3-chase-spots November 16, 2015 His victory also clinched the manufacturer's championship for Chevrolet.Spencer Lee Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins rain-shortened Cup race http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/dale-earnhardt-jr-wins-rain-shortened-cup-race/ Motorsport.com Motorsport.com, Inc. November 16, 2015 Avondale, Arizona November 16, 2015 Post-race Driver comments Earnhardt said that his team "had an idea that the rain was in the area, but all the circumstances that played out at the end of the race are just kind of luck I think. I want to give Greg (Ives, crew chief) a lot of credit and the guys. They gave us a good enough car to come here and qualify well. I think the reason why we won this race is because of the way we qualified to give ourselves a position to be up front all night."Pistone Pete Earnhardt Jr. Reigns at Phoenix http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/11/Dale-Earnhardt-Jr-Wins-Quicken-Loans-Race-for-Heroes-500.aspx MRN.com Motor Racing Network November 16, 2015 Avondale, Arizona November 15, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151117200843/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/11/Dale-Earnhardt-Jr-Wins-Quicken-Loans-Race-for-Heroes-500.aspx November 17, 2015 dead After a second-place finish clinched his spot in the championship race, Harvick said that he didn't "want to be greedy and be disappointed with how it went today when you look at the big picture. I think it's definitely been a Chase that's been a little bit up and down for us, but the guys have battled through, and we've survived a lot of situations to be in contention for next week. You always want to win when you have a car like we did today, but I'll take it again next week."Pockrass Bob Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. punch finale tickets as Dale Earnhardt Jr. steals win https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/14143201/nascar-kevin-harvick-kyle-busch-martin-truex-jr-punch-finale-tickets-dale-earnhardt-jr-steals-win ESPN.com ESPN Internet Ventures November 16, 2015 Avondale, Arizona November 16, 2015 He also added that, while losing the race was bittersweet, his Budweiser Chevrolet "just really performed well today and we were able to lead a lot of laps and just really proud of the guys for the decisions that they made overnight to get that last little bit out of the car today and how it performed was really good. Just caution came out at the wrong time, and we didn't get to make up the ground on the racetrack under green, where Dale was pitted and the way that they came out of the pits just didn't time out well. But still proud of our group, and sometimes you win some of those things, sometimes you don't, but in the end the big picture is what it's all about.”Pistone Pete Mission Accomplished for Harvick http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/11/Mission-Accomplished-for-Kevin-Harvick.aspx MRN.com Motor Racing Network November 16, 2015 Avondale, Arizona November 16, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151117034527/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/11/Mission-Accomplished-for-Kevin-Harvick.aspx November 17, 2015 dead After a third-place finish wasn't enough to advance Logano to the championship race, he said that it's not easy "to play the race with rain in the area. You don’t know what’s gonna happen, but you just hope there’s another shot. You hope that there’s a restart and if two of them slip up and you’re able to put it three-wide on the bottom, or do something like that, but just didn’t ever have the opportunity there at the end. We had plenty of opportunities to try and get ourselves to the front, we just weren’t as fast at the 4 (Kevin Harvick). We were a solid second place car, but (Dale Earnhardt) Junior timed it out really well when they pitted to that caution and it worked out really well for them.”Crandall Kelly Logano Left to Wonder about the Restart That Never Was http://www.popularspeed.com/logano-left-to-wonder-about-the-restart-that-never-was/ popularspeed.com Popular Speed November 16, 2015 November 16, 2015 He also said that he "can't help the weather. I guess it wasn’t in the cards tonight, but I’m still super proud of what this Pennzoil team has done all year.” Following a fourth-place finish that advanced Kyle Busch to the championship race, he said that he was gratified with "this team. (Crew chief) Adam Stevens and these guys, they worked hard and they persevered all through the beginning part of the season when I was gone working with David Ragan, Erik Jones and Matt Crafton and those guys that drove my race car. But once I was able to return, it felt pretty good to get back in the car and have my team guys motivated and ready to have me back, and we've really excelled since then.”Pistone Pete Kyle Busch Gets Title Shot http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/11/Kyle-Busch-Gets-Title-Shot.aspx MRN.com Motor Racing Network November 16, 2015 Avondale, Arizona November 16, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151117023343/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2015/11/Kyle-Busch-Gets-Title-Shot.aspx November 17, 2015 dead Following a sixth-place finish, Gordon said that drivers "want to win when you have a car like we did today, but I'll take it again next week. We're excited about the opportunity to go down there (Homestead). Certainly for me, my final race. I can't think of anything sweeter than just having that opportunity to go down there and battle for the championship and seeing what happens.”Spencer Lee NASCAR's Championship 4 grid is set http://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/nascar-s-championship-4-grid-is-set/ Motorsport.com Motorsport.com, Inc. November 16, 2015 Avondale, Arizona November 16, 2015 After being black-flagged at the start of the race and rallying to a seventh-place finish, Kurt Busch said that he "had a great season, we won two races, sat on three poles. We did everything possible to put polish on a season like this and get out there with elbow grease and work hard it, and you know, when there’s some tarnish that’s sitting there, polish and polish and polish, that’s all I kept doing all year.”James Brant James: Kurt Busch's title hopes washed away in Phoenix https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2015/11/16/kurt-busch-phoenix-green-flag-penalty-chase-eliminated/75854416/ November 16, 2015 USA Today Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. November 16, 2015 Avondale, Arizona After a 14th-place finish was enough to beat out Carl Edwards for the final championship race spot, Martin Truex Jr. said that it was "obviously an exciting day for everybody at Furniture Row Racing and me. Just super proud of my team for the season we've been able to put together, and I feel like we've overcome a lot of obstacles. We have kind of overcome a lot of odds, and I'm just proud to be part of this group and looking forward to having the opportunity to do something that we've all dreamed about our whole lives next weekend."Oreovicz John Championship contender Martin Truex Jr. more than just happy to be here https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/14147210/nascar-championship-contender-martin-truex-jr-more-just-happy-here ESPN.com ESPN Internet Ventures November 17, 2015 Avondale, Arizona November 16, 2015 Race results Pos No. Car number Driver Team Manufacturer Laps Laps completed Points 1 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 219 47 2 4 Kevin Harvick Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 219 44 3 22 Joey Logano Team Penske Ford 219 41 4 18 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 219 41 5 48 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 219 40 6 24 Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 219 39 7 41 Kurt Busch Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 219 37 8 11 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 219 36 9 2 Brad Keselowski Team Penske Ford 219 36 10 43 Aric Almirola Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 219 34 11 31 Ryan Newman Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 219 33 12 19 Carl Edwards Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 219 32 13 27 Paul Menard Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 219 31 14 78 Martin Truex Jr. Furniture Row Racing Toyota 219 30 15 1 Jamie McMurray Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet 218 29 16 10 Danica Patrick Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 218 28 17 51 Justin Allgaier HScott Motorsports Chevrolet 218 27 18 55 David Ragan Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota 218 27 19 20 Erik Jones (i) Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota 218 0 20 3 Austin Dillon Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet 218 24 21 42 Kyle Larson Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet 218 23 22 13 Casey Mears Germain Racing Chevrolet 218 22 23 15 Clint Bowyer Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota 218 21 24 47 A. J. Allmendinger JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet 218 20 25 16 Greg Biffle Roush Fenway Racing Ford 218 19 26 5 Kasey Kahne Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 217 18 27 14 Tony Stewart Stewart–Haas Racing Chevrolet 217 17 28 83 Matt DiBenedetto (R) BK Racing Toyota 217 16 29 26 J. J. Yeley (i) BK Racing Toyota 216 0 30 38 David Gilliland Front Row Motorsports Ford 216 14 31 9 Sam Hornish Jr. Richard Petty Motorsports Ford 215 13 32 46 Michael Annett HScott Motorsports Chevrolet 215 12 33 35 Cole Whitt Front Row Motorsports Ford 215 11 34 6 Trevor Bayne Roush Fenway Racing Ford 215 10 35 40 Landon Cassill (i) Hillman-Circle Sport LLC Chevrolet 215 0 36 34 Brett Moffitt (R) Front Row Motorsports Ford 215 8 37 98 Ryan Preece Premium Motorsports Ford 214 7 38 7 Alex Bowman Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet 214 6 39 23 Jeb Burton (R) BK Racing Toyota 213 5 40 33 Ryan Ellis (i) Hillman-Circle Sport LLC Chevrolet 211 0 41 17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Roush Fenway Racing Ford 194 3 42 32 Joey Gase (i) Go FAS Racing Ford 161 0 43 62 Timmy Hill (i) Premium Motorsports Chevrolet 127 0Official Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 results Race statistics 8 lead changes among 7 different drivers 2 cautions for 29 laps Time of race: 2 hours, 3 minutes, 22 seconds Average speed: 106.512 mph km/h on Dale Earnhardt Jr. took home $462,976 in winnings Lap leaders Laps Leader 1-44 Jimmie Johnson 45-118 Kevin Harvick 119 Kyle Busch 120-123 Brad Keselowski 124 David Ragan 125-193 Kevin Harvick 194 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 195-198 Jeff Gordon 199-219 Dale Earnhardt Jr.Total laps led Leader Laps Kevin Harvick 143 Jimmie Johnson 44 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 22 Jeff Gordon 4 Brad Keselowski 4 Kyle Busch 1 David Ragan 1 Race awards Coors Light Pole Award: Jimmie Johnson (25.147, 143.158 mph km/h on) 3M Lap Leader: Kevin Harvick (143 laps) American Ethanol Green Flag Restart Award: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Duralast Brakes "Bake In The Race" Award: Jimmie Johnson Freescale "Wide Open": Kevin Harvick Ingersoll Rand Power Move: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (7 positions) MAHLE Clevite Engine Builder of the Race: Hendrick Engines, #4 Mobil 1 Driver of the Race: Kevin Harvick (144.7 driver rating) Moog Steering and Suspension Problem Solver of The Race: Aric Almirola (crew chief Trent Owens (-0.178 seconds)) NASCAR Sprint Cup Leader Bonus: No winner: rolls over to $30,000 at next event Sherwin-Williams Fastest Lap: Carl Edwards (Lap 5, 26.103, 137.915 mph km/h on) Sunoco Rookie of The Race: Matt DiBenedetto Media Television NBC Sports was scheduled to covered the race on the television side but NBCSN covered the race due to rain. Rick Allen, two-time Phoenix winner Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte had the call in the booth for the race. Dave Burns, Mike Massaro, Marty Snider and Kelli Stavast handled pit road on the television side. NBCSNBooth announcersPit reporters Lap-by-lap: Rick AllenColor-commentator: Jeff BurtonColor-commentator: Steve Letarte Dave BurnsMike MassaroMarty SniderKelli Stavast Radio MRN had the radio call for the race, which was simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. Jeff Striegle, Alex Hayden and 1998 race winner Rusty Wallace called the race from the booth when the field was racing down the frontstretch. Dan Hubbard called the race from atop the turn 1 suites when the field was racing through turns 1 and 2. Kyle Rickey called the race from a billboard outside turn 4 when the field was racing through turns 3 and 4. Winston Kelley, Pete Pistone and Steve Post handled pit road on the radio side. MRN Booth announcersTurn announcersPit reporters Lead announcer: Jeff StriegleAnnouncer: Alex HaydenAnnouncer: Rusty WallaceOreovicz John Monday Rundown: Rare rain at Phoenix brought back memories for Rusty Wallace https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/story/_/page/MondayRundown20151116/nascar-rare-rain-phoenix-smiled-dale-earnhardt-jr ESPN.com ESPN Internet Ventures November 17, 2015 Avondale, Arizona November 16, 2015 Turns 1 & 2: Dan HubbardTurns 3 & 4: Kyle Rickey Winston KelleyPete PistoneSteve Post Standings after the race Drivers' Championship standings Pos Driver Points 10px 2 1 Kevin Harvick 5,000 10px 1 2 Jeff Gordon 5,000 (–0) 10px 1 3 Kyle Busch 5,000 (–0) 10px 4 Martin Truex Jr. 5,000 (–0) 10px 5 Carl Edwards 2,334 (–2,666) 10px 2 6 Joey Logano 2,319 (–2,681) 10px 2 7 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2,306 (–2,694) 10px 2 8 Brad Keselowski 2,304 (–2,696) 10px 2 9 Kurt Busch 2,297 (–2,703) 10px 10 Denny Hamlin 2,293 (–2,707) 10px 11 Ryan Newman 2,286 (–2,714) 10px 12 Jimmie Johnson 2,280 (–2,720) 10px 13 Jamie McMurray 2,264 (–2,736) 10px 14 Paul Menard 2,239 (–2,761) 10px 15 Matt Kenseth 2,197 (–2,803) 10px 16 Clint Bowyer 2,174 (–2,826) thumb|right|Kevin Harvick left Phoenix as the points leader. Manufacturers' Championship standings Pos Manufacturer Points 10px 1 Chevrolet 1,542 10px 2 Toyota 1,473 (–69) 10px 3 Ford 1,455 (–87) Note: Only the first sixteen positions are included for the driver standings. References 2 Sprint Cup Series 2015 2015 AAA Texas 500 2015 Ford EcoBoost 400 Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 Category:NASCAR races at Phoenix Raceway