Subway Fresh Fit 500 Winners and Losers

Winners

Mark Martin

Not only did he bring a win back to the No. 5 team but he extended Hendrick Motorsports' current winning streak to three races, leaving Dale Earnhardt, Jr. as the only win-less driver in the stable.

Sitting 13th in points, only one place out of a spot in the Chase, the seemingly ageless Mark Martin is one reason why that fourth team out of the Hendrick stable looks to be in championship form, something it hasn't been since Terry Labonte retired.

Phoenix finish: Winner

Points: 13th, 937, (305 behind Gordon)

Everyone

Who didn't love hearing the words, "Mark Martin wins at Phoenix"? The fans loved it because no driver has been more fan friendly during his career than Martin.

The drivers loved it because no one has been more helpful than Martin. Tony Stewart recalled being a rookie in the Nationwide series and having Martin, the all-time Nationwide wins leader, come up to him and ask how he can help Stewart.

NASCAR loved it because it helps ratings when someone wins other than the regulars, Johnson, Gordon, and Busch.

Tony Stewart

I pray I'm not still the only person considering Stewart and his new team to be a serious threat for wins and the series championship.

After another impressive runner-up finish, Stewart climbs up another spot in the points to fourth, only 104 points behind Jeff Gordon.

Along with fellow Stewart-Haas driver Ryan Newman sitting comfortably in 17th in points, Stewart is feeling a lot less pressure as an owner which will help his on-track performance.

Look for Stewart to once again be a threat for the win next week at Talladega.

Phoenix finish: Second

Points: Fourth, 1138, (104 behind Gordon)

Sam Hornish, Jr.

Hornish finally brought a bit of legitimacy to his spot in a Sprint Cup car with his ninth place finish at Phoenix. He also brought a bit of separation between his No. 77 team and the teams fighting for 35th in owner points.

This should build some confidence in Hornish and potentially lead to another top ten next week at Talladega.

Phoenix finish: Ninth

Points: 31st, 637, (605 behind Gordon)

David Reutimann

Talk about bringing legitimacy to his new nickname "The Franchise," because at MWR he really is the entire franchise.

With only one finish this season outside of the top 20, Reutimann is doing everything that MWR has expected out of him and more.

Currently ninth in points don't be surprised if Reutimann breaks through sometime soon with a win and becomes a serious contender for the series title.

Phoenix finish: Eighth

Points: Ninth, 992, (250 behind Gordon)

Losers

Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

No I am not jumping on the Junior hate bandwagon; I've been steering the wagon since he went to Hendrick last year.

Junior, now the only win-less driver at the Hendrick stable, finds himself in a bad situation.

Two top tens. That is a telling stat right there. A year ago his crew chief was predicting six wins and now he has two top tens in eight races. His teammates have more wins than he has top tens and they have the same equipment.

This brings more backing to my claim at the beginning of the season that Junior has passed his prime and it is too late for him to win a series title. Lucky for him no penalties came down the pike for his post-race indiscretions.

Phoenix finish: 31st

Points: 19th, 843, (399 behind Gordon)

Jeremy Mayfield

Missed his fifth race of the season at Phoenix and continues to slide down the hill in the owner standings, falling almost completely out of shot at a spot in the top 35.

Almost 300 points behind the No. 7 team of Robby Gordon for the 35th spot in owner points Mayfield will continue to live and die by the pole day sword. Lets hope for him the weather stays clear for the rest of the season on qualifying day.

Phoenix finish: DNQ

Points: 45th, 158, (1084 behind Gordon)

Richard Petty Motorsports

Definitely not a banner day for the team named after the King.

Best finish for the team belonging to the No. 9 of Kasey Kahne while the other two teams, Elliott Sadler and AJ Allmendinger, finished 32nd and 35th, respectively. 

Casey Mears

He definitely wanted to do something to get his name back on the radar, but I don't think he planned on doing it by mixing it up with Earnhardt, Jr.

After finding each other on the track with 12 laps to go resulting in Junior finding the wall. Junior decided to look for Mears after the race to inform him of his displeasure.

Mears, in typical short track style, said, "oh no you don't come back here," and gave Junior a few more shots while pulling down pit road.

Guess Mears will be wearing the target for all of Junior Nation to attack for the next few weeks.

Phoenix finish: 20th

Points: 22nd, 791, (451 behind Gordon)