NASCAR Phoenix 2015: Lineup, starting grid for Quicken Loans Race For Heroes 500

Jimmie Johnson isn’t alive for the Chase for the Sprint Cup, but he remains a force to be reckoned with as NASCAR reaches its 35th of 36 races in the 2015 season with the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 on Sunday afternoon from Phoenix International Raceway.

Johnson won last week at Texas, then captured the pole at Phoenix on Friday with a top qualifying speed of 143.158 mph. Johnson is a three-time winner of this race in Phoenix (2007-2009), and in 2008 he also won the spring race at the track.

His win at Texas came after a dominant Brad Keselowski led 312 of 334 laps. Now Keselowski basically needs a win at Phoenix on Sunday to remain alive in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Johnson was happy to win last week but didn’t necessarily relish his spoiler role.

“I’m not happy I kept somebody from advancing,” Johnson said. “I just don’t think along those lines. Happy I beat the dominant car -- that definitely was in my mind.”

Keselowski starts in 18th position on Sunday. His Team Penske teammate Joey Logano, who does technically need a win at Phoenix to advance to next week’s championship at Miami, starts in 14th position on Sunday.

Kevin Harvick, who opens Sunday third in points, starts in eighth position. He has won the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 each of the last three years, and has won the race four times overall.

NBCSN will provide pre-race coverage Sunday starting at 1:30 p.m. ET, then switching over to NBC at 2 p.m., with race coverage beginning at 2:30 p.m. and the green flag at approximately 2:41 p.m.

Rick Allen will call the race alongside analysts Steve Letarte and Jeff Burton, with pit reporters Dave Burns, Mike Massaro, Marty Snider, Nate Ryan and Kelli Stavast.

Fans can follow along with NBC Sports Live Extra.

Drivers still alive in the Chase for the Sprint Cup in bold