Subway Fresh Fit 500 2012: Start Time, Lineup, TV Schedule and More

Drivers won't get much rest after one of the craziest Daytona 500 weekends in history as they head to Arizona for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 on Sunday. It's already a pivotal race for those drivers who didn't reach expectations in the Great American Race.

Matt Kenseth, who finished 12th in this race last season, will be looking to build off one of the biggest wins of his career. He dominated the final 40 laps on Monday night following the red flag for a jet fuel fire, establishing himself as a contender in the NASCAR title chase.

Here's all of the key information for Sunday's race followed by a look at some of the drivers with a great chance to be in the mix when the checkered flag waves.

Where: Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz.

When: Sunday, March 4 at 3:14 p.m. ET

Watch: FOX

Qualifying: Saturday, March 3

Starting Grid: Available Saturday on NASCAR's official website

Defending Champion: Jeff Gordon

Jimmie Johnson

It's been disaster for Johnson over the past couple days. He survived just one lap at Daytona before a wreck ended his day, causing him to finish 42nd. As if that wasn't bad enough, car violations cost him 25 points, and crew chief Chad Knaus was suspended.

Hendrick Motorsports has appealed the penalties, but as of right now Johnson sits 70 points behind Kenseth for the series lead after just one week. That said, it always seems like the five-time champion always rises to the occasion when his back is against the wall.

Johnson has won four times in 17 races at Phoenix, making it one of his most successful tracks. It sets up perfectly for him to have a strong rebound race. Even though he's dug himself a deep hole, it's way too early to count him out.

Jeff Gordon

Gordon had to walk away from Daytona disappointed. He had a really strong car that could have very well put him in contention late, but an engine problem before the halfway mark dashed his hopes. Instead, he finished in 40th.

Like his Hendrick teammate above, Gordon has had a lot of success at Phoenix. He has 18 top-10 results in 26 career starts, including two victories. One of those wins came last season when he outlasted Kyle Busch to take the checkered flag.

He'll be looking for a similar performance on Sunday to get his season back on track. No driver wants to start their season with a DNF, but it's better to get them out of the way early. Gordon will already be able to put a big dent in the deficit with a strong finish.

Kurt Busch

Another driver who had a frustrating Daytona run who excels at Phoenix. There seems to be a trend developing here. Busch has always been known to struggle with consistency, so it wouldn't be shocking for him to go from a DNF to victory lane.

Busch led 31 laps in last year's race before fading near the end to finish in eighth. It was his 10th finish inside the top 10 at the one-mile track. He hasn't been as successful at his home track in Las Vegas, which is where next week's race will be held, so it's important he gets a good result.

Even though he probably won't receive much hype leading up to the race, he's a sleeper contender. He's been around long enough to understand how difficult it is to fight back from a bad start, so he'll be willing to take some chances with hopes of a major payoff.

Predicted Winner

Jimmie Johnson