Open Race Thread: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Subway Fresh Fit 500 | Phoenix International Raceway

For all the pomp and pageantry that it represents, the Daytona 500 will have little-to-no bearing on the rest of the season. The Sprint Cup will be won and lost starting today in the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.
That means you can expect to see returning championship contenders Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart pick up where they left off in the Chase, or Kasey Kahne going back-to-back on the speedway’s new track surface.
Most notably, Phoenix has been the place for drivers to break long winless droughts or jump-start successful seasons.
Phoenix is about opportunity.
Jeff Gordon snapped a 66-race winless streak here in the spring, a comeback victory that catapulted a three-win season and shades of the old Jeff Gordon. Gordon hasn’t taken kindly to the new track surface, but toss three straight curveballs to Gordon and crew chief Alan Gustafson, and the last pitch is likely to end up a home run.
Kasey Kahne sent Red Bull Racing out on a high note in November when he broke an 81-race. Kahne has since moved on to Hendrick Motorsports and may have his best chance at contending for a championship. Still armed with crew chief Kenny Francis, the first to master the new track surface, the duo has to be considered the early favorites to win today’s race.
And then there’s Edwards and Stewart. Like much of the Chase, the two ran back-to-back here in November, finishing second and third respectively. Stewart starts today’s race on the outside pole and Edwards starts 13^th. Will the 2012 season be an extension of the 2011 Chase?

Tell us in the comments section.

Live television coverage will start on FOX at 2 p.m. EST and will feature the voices of Mike Joy, Larry McReynolds and Darrell Waltrip. For those who are away from a television or prefer the radio broadcast, www.motorracingnetwork.com will stream the race live on any supported computer or mobile device.
A complete starting lineup can be found after the jump.

Did Not Qualify: # 37 Timmy Hill #.
Manufacturer Starting Lineup DNQs Manufacturer Starting Lineup DNQs
Chevrolet 17 0 Ford 11 1