Below is a look at the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Top 12 going into the Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil at Phoenix International Raceway on Nov. 11.

1 — Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet)

The File: * 32 years old from El Cajon, Calif., 32 career wins * Nine wins, 19 top fives, 22 top 10s; three poles * Average finish of 11.1 * Led 22 of 34 races for 1,233 laps

Phoenix International Raceway Outlook: * Three top fives, six top 10s * Average finish of 7.3 * Finished fourth in April * Led three of eight races for 113 laps

Season-to-Date Loop Data Highlight: * Series-high 934 Fastest Laps Run

2 — Jeff Gordon (No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet)

The File: * 36 years old, Vallejo, Calif., 81 career wins * Six wins, 20 top fives, 28 top 10s this year * Seven poles * Average finish of 7.4 * Led 23 of 34 races for 1,300 laps

Phoenix International Raceway Outlook: * One win, eight top fives, 14 top 10s; three poles * Average finish of 8.2 * Won the Phoenix race in April * Led eight of 17 races for 247 laps

Season-to-Date Loop Data Highlight: * Series-best Average Running Position of 9.2

3 — Clint Bowyer (No. 07 Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet)

The File: * 28 years old from Emporia, Kan., one career win * One win, five top fives, 17 top 10s; two poles * Average finish of 13.2 * Led 13 of 34 races for 387 laps

Phoenix International Raceway Outlook: * One top five * Average finish of 20.5 * Finished 22nd in April * Led one of four races for 21 laps

Season-to-Date Loop Data Highlight: * Second-best Closer — 57 positions improved over the last 10% of races

4 — Kyle Busch (No. 5 Kellogg’s/CARQUEST Chevrolet)

The File: * 22 years old from Las Vegas, Nev., four career wins * One win, 11 top fives, 19 top 10s * Average finish of 14.1 * Led 19 of 34 races for 636 laps

Phoenix International Raceway Outlook: * One win, three top 10s; one pole * Average finish of 18.0 * Finished seventh in April * Led three of five races for 78 laps

Season-to-Date Loop Data Highlight: * Third-fastest average Green Flag Speed

5 — Carl Edwards (No. 99 Office Depot Ford)

The File: * 28 years old from Columbia, Mo., seven career wins * Three wins, 10 top fives, 14 top 10s * Average finish of 13.4 * Led 11 of 34 races for 428 laps

Phoenix International Raceway Outlook: * Two top fives, four top 10s * Average finish of 11.7 in six races * Finished 11th in April

Season-to-Date Loop Data Highlight: * 7,047 Laps in the Top 15, ninth-most

6 — Tony Stewart (No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet)

The File: * 36 years old from Columbus, Ind., 32 career wins * Three wins, 10 top fives, 22 top 10s * Average finish of 12.9 * Led 20 of 34 races for 980 laps

Phoenix International Raceway Outlook: * One win, five top fives, seven top 10s * Average finish of 9.9 * Finished second in April * Led four of 11 races for 293 laps

Season-to-Date Loop Data Highlight: * 612 Fastest Laps Run, third-most

7 — Jeff Burton (No. 31 AT&T Mobility Chevrolet)

The File: * 40 years old from South Boston, Va., 19 career wins * One win, nine top fives, 16 top 10s * Average finish of 14.1 * Led seven of 34 races for 79 laps

Phoenix International Raceway Outlook: * Two wins, five top fives, eight top 10s * Average finish of 11.6 * Finished 13th in April * Led four of 16 races for 215 laps

Season-to-Date Loop Data Highlight: * 2,758 Green Flag Passes, sixth-most

8 — Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet)

The File: * 31 years old from Bakersfield, Calif., 11 career victories * One win, four top fives, 14 top 10s * Average finish of 15.7 this season * Led 12 of 34 races for 271 laps

Phoenix International Raceway Outlook: * Two wins, three top fives, four top 10s * Average finish of 14.0 * Finished 10th in April * Led three of nine races for 316 laps

Season-to-Date Loop Data Highlight: * Fourth-best Closer — 49 positions improved over the last 10% of races

9 — Kurt Busch (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge)

The File: * 29 years old from Las Vegas, Nev., 17 career wins * Two wins, five top fives, 13 top 10s * Average finish of 15.7 * Led 20 of 34 races for 868 laps

Phoenix International Raceway Outlook: * One win, two top fives, five top 10s * Average finish of 13.6 * Finished 18th in April * Led four of nine races for 448 laps

Season-to-Date Loop Data Highlight: * Series-high 1,761 Quality Passes (passes of cars in the top 15 under green flag conditions)

10 — Matt Kenseth (No. 17 DEWALT Ford)

The File: * 35 years old from Cambridge, Wis., 15 career wins * One win, 11 top fives, 20 top 10s * Average finish of 13.6 * Led 18 of 34 races for 605 laps

Phoenix International Raceway Outlook: * One win, four top fives, five top 10s * Average finish of 18.4 * Finished fifth in April * Led four of 10 races for 61 laps

Season-to-Date Loop Data Highlight: * 9,330 laps run on the lead lap, second-most

11 — Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Chevrolet)

The File: * 26 years old, Chesterfield, Va., three career wins * One win, 11 top fives, 17 top 10s; one pole * Average finish of 14.3 * Led 17 of 34 races for 887 laps

Phoenix International Raceway Outlook: * Two top fives; one pole * Average finish of 13.3 * Finished third in April * Led two four races for 93 laps

Season-to-Date Loop Data Highlight: * 460 Fastest Laps Run, sixth-most

12 — Martin Truex Jr. (No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet)

The File: * 27 years old from Mayetta, N.J., one career win * One win, seven top fives, 12 top 10s; one pole * Average finish of 16.9 * Led 15 of 34 races for 506 laps

Phoenix International Raceway Outlook: * Average finish of 18.0 in three races * Finished 20th in April

Season-to-Date Loop Data Highlight: * Series-high 2,960 Green Flag Passes

[NASCAR]