2006 Checker Auto Parts 500
{{short description|Auto race run in Arizona in 2006}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox NASCAR race report
| Type = CUST
| Description = Race 35 of 36 in the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season
| Race Name = Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil
| Details ref = [http://www.almanac.com/weather/history/AZ/Phoenix/2006-11-12 Weather information for the 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500] at the Old Farmers' Almanac[http://www.racing-reference.info/race?id=2006-35&series=W 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500] race information at Racing Reference[http://www.driveraverages.com/nascar_stats/race.php?sked_id=2006035 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005054926/http://www.driveraverages.com/nascar_stats/race.php?sked_id=2006035 |date=2011-10-05 }} racing information at Driver Averages[http://fantasyracingcheatsheet.com/nascar/races/results/2006/phoenix-international-raceway/checker-auto-parts-500-presented-by-pennzoil/71 2006 Checkers Auto Parts 500] racing information at Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet
| Fulldate = {{Start date|2006|11|12}}
| Year = 2006
| Race_No = 35
| Season_No = 36
| Image = 2006_Checker_Auto_Parts_500_program_cover.png
| Caption = 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 program cover
| Official name = Checker Auto Parts 500
| Location = Phoenix International Raceway, Avondale, Arizona
| Weather = Warm with temperatures approaching {{convert|80.1|F|C}}; wind speeds up to {{convert|8|mph|km/h}}
| Course_mi = 1.000
| Course_km = 1.609
| Distance_laps = 312
| Distance_mi = 312
| Distance_km = 502
| Attendance = 106,000
| Avg = {{convert|96.131|mi/h}}
| Pole_Driver = Jeff Gordon
| Pole_Team = Hendrick Motorsports
| Pole_Time = 26.773
| Most_Driver = Kevin Harvick
| Most_Team = Richard Childress Racing
| Most_laps = 252
| Car = 29
| First_Driver = Kevin Harvick
| First_Team = Richard Childress Racing
| Network = NBC
| Announcers = Bill Weber
Benny Parsons
Wally Dallenbach
}}
The 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil was a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series racing event that took place on November 12, 2006, at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Arizona.
The traditional pre-race ceremonies were held with the showing of the national colors along with the invocation service from a local minister. One of country music's top ten recording artists of 2006, Taylor Swift, sang the national anthem prior to the racing event.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bCOkVkTiSo YouTube: Taylor Swift sings the National Anthem at the 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500] The green flag was officially waved at 2:35 p.m. and the checked flag was waved at approximately 5:49 p.m. After this race, Colombian native Juan Pablo Montoya and Australian driver Marcos Ambrose would temporarily become the foreigners that would consistently make the racing grid for all the future NASCAR Cup Series races along with limited degrees of success by Scottish IndyCar driver Dario Franchitti.
Events held alongside the 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 on the same weekend include the Casino Arizona 150 (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series) and the Arizona Travel 200 (NASCAR Busch Series).
Entry list
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%"
!# !Driver !Team !Make !Sponsor |
| 1
|Martin Truex Jr. |Chevrolet |Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats |
| 01
|Joe Nemechek |Chevrolet |Principal Financial Group |
| 2
|Kurt Busch |Dodge |Miller Lite |
| 02
|Brandon Ash |Dodge |Sprinter Trucking, Inc. |
| 4
|Ward Burton |Chevrolet |Lucas Oil |
| 5
|Kyle Busch |Chevrolet |Kellogg's |
| 6
|Mark Martin |Ford |AAA Insurance |
| 06
|Todd Kluever |Ford |3M Vikuiti, Sharp AQUOS |
| 7
|Robby Gordon |Ford |Harrah's |
| 07
|Clint Bowyer |Chevrolet |Jack Daniel's |
| 8
|Dale Earnhardt Jr. |Chevrolet |Budweiser |
| 9
|Kasey Kahne |Dodge |Dodge Dealers, UAW |
| 09
|Jeremy Mayfield |Dodge |Miccosukee Gaming & Resorts |
| 10
|Scott Riggs |Dodge |Stanley Tools, Valvoline |
| 11
|Denny Hamlin |Toyota |FedEx Ground |
| 12
|Ryan Newman |Ford |Alltel |
| 14
|Sterling Marlin |Chevrolet |Principal Financial Group |
| 16
|Greg Biffle |Ford |National Guard |
| 17
|Matt Kenseth |Ford |USG Sheetrock |
| 18
|J.J. Yeley |Chevrolet |GSK, Boniva |
| 19
|Elliott Sadler |Dodge |Dodge Dealers, UAW |
| 20
|Tony Stewart |Toyota |Home Depot |
| 21
|Ken Schrader |Ford |Little Debbie |
| 22
|Dave Blaney |Toyota |Caterpillar |
| 24
|Jeff Gordon |Chevrolet |DuPont |
| 25
|Brian Vickers |Chevrolet |GMAC |
| 26
|Jamie McMurray |Ford |Irwin Industrial Tools |
| 29
|Kevin Harvick |Chevrolet |Reese's Cookies |
| 31
|Jeff Burton |Toyota |Cingular Wireless |
| 32
|Travis Kvapil |Chevrolet |Tide, Downy |
| 34
|Kevin Lepage |Dodge |Oak Glove Company |
| 37
|Bill Elliott |Dodge |Melling |
| 38
|David Gilliland |Ford |M&M's |
| 40
|David Stremme |Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates |Dodge |Discount Tire |
| 41
|Reed Sorenson |Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates |Dodge |Target |
| 42
|Casey Mears |Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates |Dodge |Texaco, Havoline |
| 43
|Bobby Labonte |Dodge |Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories |
| 45
|Kyle Petty |Ford |Wells Fargo |
| 48
|Jimmie Johnson |Chevrolet |Lowe's |
| 49
|Mike Bliss |Dodge |WhatsOnline.com |
| 55
|Michael Waltrip |Dodge |NAPA Auto Parts |
| 61
|Stanton Barrett |Dodge |Oak Glove Company |
| 66
|Jeff Green |Chevrolet |Best Buy |
| 71
|Jason Leffler |Chevrolet |Fort McDowell Resort Destination |
| 72
|Brandon Whitt |Chevrolet |Dutch Quality Stone |
| 74
|Derrike Cope |Dodge |Sundance Vacations, Vialafil.com |
| 78
|Kenny Wallace |Chevrolet |Furniture Row Racing |
| 88
|Dale Jarrett |Ford |UPS |
| 89
|Morgan Shepherd |Ford |Victory In Jesus, Eco First |
| 96
|Tony Raines |Chevrolet |DLP HDTV |
| 99
|Carl Edwards |Ford |Office Depot |
Qualifying
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%"
|+ ! colspan="1" rowspan="1" |#{{Cite web|title=2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 Presented by Pennzoil Practice through Qualifying Comparisons - Phoenix Raceway|url=https://frcs.pro/nascar/cup/races/practice-qualifying/2006/phoenix-raceway/checker-auto-parts-500-presented-by-pennzoil|access-date=2021-06-07|website=frcs.pro}}{{Cite web|date=2006-11-11|title=Qualifying Times - Checker Auto Parts 500|url=https://www.crash.net/nascar/results/90842/1/qualifying-times-checker-auto-parts-500|access-date=2021-06-25|website=Crash|language=en}} ! colspan="1" rowspan="1" |# ! colspan="1" rowspan="1" |Driver ! colspan="1" rowspan="1" |Make !Team ! colspan="1" rowspan="1" |Time ! colspan="1" rowspan="1" |Avg. Speed (mph) ! colspan="1" rowspan="1" |BHND |
| 1
|24 |Jeff Gordon |Chevrolet |26.773 |134.464 |0.000 |
|---|
| 2
|29 |Kevin Harvick |Chevrolet |26.871 |133.973 |00.098 |
| 3
|25 |Brian Vickers |Chevrolet |26.876 |133.949 |00.103 |
| 4
|8 |Dale Earnhardt Jr. |Chevrolet |26.932 |133.670 |00.159 |
| 5
|01 |Joe Nemechek |Chevrolet |26.942 |133.620 |00.169 |
| 6
|16 |Greg Biffle |Ford |26.959 |133.536 |00.186 |
| 7
|12 |Ryan Newman |Dodge |26.963 |133.516 |00.190 |
| 8
|2 |Kurt Busch |Dodge |26.972 |133.472 |00.199 |
| 9
|5 |Kyle Busch |Chevrolet |26.975 |133.457 |00.202 |
| 10
|17 |Matt Kenseth |Ford |26.983 |133.417 |00.210 |
| 11
|9 |Kasey Kahne |Dodge |26.991 |133.378 |00.218 |
| 12
|99 |Carl Edwards |Ford |27.039 |133.141 |00.266 |
| 13
|38 |David Gilliland |Ford |27.057 |133.052 |00.284 |
| 14
|26 |Jamie McMurray |Ford |27.071 |132.984 |00.298 |
| 15
|43 |Bobby Labonte |Dodge |27.079 |132.944 |00.306 |
| 16
|19 |Elliott Sadler |Dodge |27.081 |132.934 |00.308 |
| 17
|42 |Casey Mears |Dodge |Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates |27.097 |132.856 |00.324 |
| 18
|31 |Jeff Burton |Chevrolet |27.100 |132.841 |00.327 |
| 19
|55 |Michael Waltrip |Dodge |27.101 |132.836 |00.328 |
| 20
|07 |Clint Bowyer |Chevrolet |27.116 |132.763 |00.343 |
| 21
|6 |Mark Martin |Ford |27.117 |132.758 |00.344 |
| 22
|11 |Denny Hamlin |Chevrolet |27.127 |132.709 |00.354 |
| 23
|20 |Tony Stewart |Chevrolet |27.132 |132.685 |00.359 |
| 24
|4 |Ward Burton |Chevrolet |27.186 |132.421 |00.413 |
| 25
|66 |Jeff Green |Chevrolet |27.222 |132.246 |00.449 |
| 26
|1 |Martin Truex Jr. |Chevrolet |27.228 |132.217 |00.455 |
| 27
|88 |Dale Jarrett |Ford |27.253 |132.096 |00.480 |
| 28
|41 |Reed Sorenson |Dodge |Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates |27.284 |131.945 |00.511 |
| 29
|48 |Jimmie Johnson |Chevrolet |27.299 |131.873 |00.526 |
| 30
|14 |Sterling Marlin |Chevrolet |27.315 |131.796 |00.542 |
| 31
|22 |Dave Blaney |Dodge |27.354 |131.608 |00.581 |
| 32
|21 |Ken Schrader |Ford |27.354 |131.608 |00.581 |
| 33
|32 |Travis Kvapil |Chevrolet |27.382 |131.473 |00.609 |
| 34
|45 |Kyle Petty |Dodge |27.398 |131.396 |00.625 |
| 35
|18 |J.J. Yeley |Chevrolet |27.439 |131.200 |00.666 |
| 36
|40 |David Stremme |Dodge |Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates |27.464 |131.081 |00.691 |
| 37
|72 |Brandon Whitt |Chevrolet |27.484 |130.985 |00.711 |
| 38
|49 |Mike Bliss |Dodge |27.488 |130.966 |00.715 |
| 39
|61 |Chad Chaffin |Dodge |27.532 |130.757 |00.759 |
| 40
|7 |Robby Gordon* |Chevrolet |27.608 |130.397 |00.835 |
| 41
|96 |Tony Raines* |Chevrolet |27.623 |130.326 |00.850 |
| 42
|10 |Scott Riggs* |Dodge |27.724 |129.851 |00.951 |
| 43
|37 |Bill Elliott** |Dodge |28.106 |128.087 | |
| colspan="8" |Failed to qualify |
| 44
|71 |Jason Leffler |Chevrolet |27.588 |130.492 | |
| 45
|06 |Todd Kluever |Ford |27.613 |130.373 | |
| 46
|89 |Morgan Shepherd |Dodge |27.663 |130.138 | |
| 47
|02 |Brandon Ash |Dodge |27.699 |129.969 | |
| 48
|34 |Kevin Lepage |Chevrolet |27.780 |129.590 | |
| 49
|78 |Kenny Wallace |Chevrolet |27.930 |128.894 | |
| 50
|74 |Derrike Cope |Dodge |27.935 |128.871 | |
| 51
|09 |Jeremy Mayfield |Dodge |28.046 |128.361 | |
*Qualified by owner's points.
**Qualified by champion's provisional.
Race recap
For pre-race ceremonies, the Luke Air Force Base Honor Guard presented the nation's colors. Phoenix International Raceway chaplain Ken Bowers gave the invocation. Rising country music artist at the time Taylor Swift performed the national anthem. Doug Bowens, on behalf of Pennzoil would give out the starting command.
Brandon Whitt would "earn" the last-place finish in his only NASCAR Nextel Cup Series start due to a rear end issue on lap 123 of 312.[http://www.race-database.com/results/results.php?year=2006&race=35&series_id=2 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500] racing information at Race-Database
Kevin Harvick defeated Jimmie Johnson by a ¼ of a second in front of 106,000 people after three hours and fourteen minutes of racing action.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt3GSILRNuE YouTube: 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 - Kevin Harvick Wins] Harvick dominated this race, leading exactly 80.7% of the race. There were 12 lead changes in addition to ten caution flag waved by NASCAR for 58 laps. There was at least one red flag in the race; it was waved due to a multi-car accident on lap 305.[http://www.markmartin.org/checkerautoparts5002006.html Mark Martin's top ten finish at the 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500] at MarkMartin.org Jeff Gordon qualified for the pole position with a speed of {{convert|134.646|mph|km/h}} while the average speed of the race was {{convert|96.131|mph|km/h}}.
This was the final career race for team owner Doug Bawel. It was also the last DNF for Clint Bowyer until the 2009 race in Darlington. Brandon Whitt did a great job making this race, considering the team and his limited experience. His only other start that year was an ARCA race, and he had a DNQ to go with each of them.
The other finishers in the top ten were: Denny Hamlin, Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, Mark Martin, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Jeff Burton. Now-retired drivers Kyle Petty and Dale Jarrett also participated in this race during their twilight years. Seven drivers failed to make the race while Robby Gordon was sent to the back of the grid due to an engine replacement. Kyle Busch failed to finish in the top ten in his Hendrick Motorsports #5 Chevrolet Monte Carlo machine.
Drivers were racing for a prize bounty of $4,892,924 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|4892924|2006|r=2}}}} when adjusted for inflation) with Jimmie Johnson being ahead of Matt Kenseth by a mere 17 points.[http://nascar.about.com/od/2006season/p/phoenix.htm 2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331041234/http://nascar.about.com/od/2006season/p/phoenix.htm |date=2012-03-31 }} at NASCAR.About.com While Tony Stewart scored more points than the top ten drivers, the best result that he could come up within the 2006 NASCAR Cup Series season would be eleventh place in the drivers' championship standings. The "Chase for the Cup" formula at that time had the best ten drivers compete for the championship – as opposed to 16 in today's formula.
{{Gallery
|title=2006 Checker Auto Parts 500
|width=160
|height=170
|align=center
|File:2006CheckerAutoParts500RGordonSpinR.PNG|alt1= In this unlucky moment of the race, driver Robby Gordon spins out in front of Kyle Petty and Ken Schrader.| In this unlucky moment of the race, driver Robby Gordon spins out in front of Kyle Petty and Ken Schrader.
|File:2006CheckerAutoParts500InFormationR.PNG|alt2=Tony Stewart (of Joe Gibbs Racing) is getting involved in a close battle for position against several other drivers.| Tony Stewart (of Joe Gibbs Racing) is getting involved in a close battle for position against several other drivers.}}
Results
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%"
!Fin{{Cite web|title=2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil race results|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/2006_Checker_Auto_Parts_500_Presented_by_Pennzoil/W/|url-status=live|website=Racing-Reference|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428004009/https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/2006_Checker_Auto_Parts_500_Presented_by_Pennzoil/W/ |archive-date=2021-04-28 }}{{Cite web|title=2006 Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil - The Third Turn|url=https://www.thethirdturn.com/wiki/2006_Checker_Auto_Parts_500_presented_by_Pennzoil|access-date=2021-06-25|website=www.thethirdturn.com|language=en}} !St !# !Driver !Make !Team !Sponsor !Laps !Led !Status !Pts !Winnings |
| 1
|2 |29 |Kevin Harvick |Chevrolet |Reese's Cookies |312 |252 |running |190 |216825 |
|---|
| 2
|29 |48 |Jimmie Johnson |Chevrolet |Lowe's |312 |28 |running |175 |183275 |
| 3
|22 |11 |Denny Hamlin |Chevrolet |FedEx Ground |312 |0 |running |165 |139800 |
| 4
|1 |24 |Jeff Gordon |Chevrolet |DuPont |312 |3 |running |165 |136125 |
| 5
|12 |99 |Carl Edwards |Ford |Office Depot |312 |0 |running |155 |120425 |
| 6
|21 |6 |Mark Martin |Ford |AAA Insurance |312 |26 |running |155 |104725 |
| 7
|11 |9 |Kasey Kahne |Dodge |Dodge Dealers, UAW |312 |0 |running |146 |99025 |
| 8
|8 |2 |Kurt Busch |Dodge |Miller Lite |312 |0 |running |142 |93050 |
| 9
|4 |8 |Dale Earnhardt Jr. |Chevrolet |Budweiser |312 |0 |running |138 |88050 |
| 10
|18 |31 |Jeff Burton |Chevrolet |Cingular Wireless |312 |0 |running |134 |90500 |
| 11
|3 |25 |Brian Vickers |Chevrolet |GMAC |312 |0 |running |130 |83350 |
| 12
|26 |1 |Martin Truex Jr. |Chevrolet |Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats |312 |0 |running |127 |100608 |
| 13
|10 |17 |Matt Kenseth |Ford |USG Sheetrock |312 |1 |running |129 |86700 |
| 14
|23 |20 |Tony Stewart |Chevrolet |Home Depot |312 |0 |running |121 |91550 |
| 15
|7 |12 |Ryan Newman |Dodge |Alltel |312 |0 |running |118 |83125 |
| 16
|13 |38 |David Gilliland |Ford |M&M's |312 |1 |running |120 |77950 |
| 17
|16 |19 |Elliott Sadler |Dodge |Dodge Dealers, UAW |312 |0 |running |112 |76500 |
| 18
|36 |40 |David Stremme |Dodge |Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates |Discount Tire |312 |0 |running |109 |92233 |
| 19
|5 |01 |Joe Nemechek |Chevrolet |Principal Financial Group |312 |0 |running |106 |75775 |
| 20
|35 |18 |J.J. Yeley |Chevrolet |GSK, Boniva |312 |0 |running |103 |78350 |
| 21
|41 |96 |Tony Raines |Chevrolet |DLP HDTV |312 |0 |running |100 |67325 |
| 22
|42 |10 |Scott Riggs |Dodge |Stanley Tools, Valvoline |312 |0 |running |97 |67100 |
| 23
|31 |22 |Dave Blaney |Dodge |Caterpillar |312 |0 |running |94 |81983 |
| 24
|32 |21 |Ken Schrader |Ford |Little Debbie |312 |0 |running |91 |74625 |
| 25
|34 |45 |Kyle Petty |Dodge |Wells Fargo |312 |0 |running |88 |86458 |
| 26
|17 |42 |Casey Mears |Dodge |Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates |Texaco, Havoline |312 |0 |running |85 |74175 |
| 27
|15 |43 |Bobby Labonte |Dodge |Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories |311 |0 |running |82 |74050 |
| 28
|24 |4 |Ward Burton |Chevrolet |Lucas Oil |311 |0 |running |79 |65425 |
| 29
|28 |41 |Reed Sorenson |Dodge |Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates |Target |310 |0 |running |76 |70800 |
| 30
|33 |32 |Travis Kvapil |Chevrolet |Tide, Downy |310 |0 |running |73 |72722 |
| 31
|43 |37 |Bill Elliott |Dodge |Melling |309 |0 |running |70 |62550 |
| 32
|40 |7 |Robby Gordon |Chevrolet |Harrah's |307 |0 |running |67 |62400 |
| 33
|20 |07 |Clint Bowyer |Chevrolet |Jack Daniel's |306 |0 |oil line |64 |71225 |
| 34
|6 |16 |Greg Biffle |Ford |National Guard |306 |0 |running |61 |82350 |
| 35
|39 |61 |Chad Chaffin |Dodge |Oak Glove Company |306 |0 |running |58 |62025 |
| 36
|30 |14 |Sterling Marlin |Chevrolet |Principal Financial Group |303 |1 |running |60 |61875 |
| 37
|25 |66 |Jeff Green |Chevrolet |Best Buy |298 |0 |crash |52 |69750 |
| 38
|9 |5 |Kyle Busch |Chevrolet |Kellogg's |291 |0 |running |49 |79625 |
| 39
|27 |88 |Dale Jarrett |Ford |UPS |289 |0 |crash |46 |69500 |
| 40
|14 |26 |Jamie McMurray |Ford |Irwin Industrial Tools |272 |0 |crash |43 |80350 |
| 41
|38 |49 |Mike Bliss |Dodge |WhatsOnline.com |262 |0 |engine |40 |61210 |
| 42
|19 |55 |Michael Waltrip |Dodge |NAPA Auto Parts |234 |0 |engine |37 |61085 |
| 43
|37 |72 |Brandon Whitt |Chevrolet |Dutch Quality Stone |123 |0 |rear end |34 |61286 |
| colspan="12" |Failed to qualify |
| 44
| |71 |Jason Leffler |Chevrolet |Fort McDowell Resort Destination ! colspan="5" rowspan="8" | |
| 45
| |06 |Todd Kluever |Ford |3M Vikuiti, Sharp AQUOS |
| 46
| |89 |Morgan Shepherd |Dodge |Victory In Jesus, Eco First |
| 47
| |02 |Brandon Ash |Dodge |Sprinter Trucking, Inc. |
| 48
| |34 |Kevin Lepage |Chevrolet |Oak Glove Co. |
| 49
| |78 |Kenny Wallace |Chevrolet |Furniture Row Racing |
| 50
| |74 |Derrike Cope |Dodge |Sundance Vacations, Vialafil.com |
| 51
| |09 |Jeremy Mayfield |Dodge |Miccosukee Gaming & Resorts |
Timeline
- Start of race: Jeff Gordon started the race as the first-place driver.
- Lap 4: Kevin Harvick took over the lead from Jeff Gordon.
- Lap 71: Caution for debris; ended on lap 76.
- Lap 72: Matt Kenseth took over the lead from Kevin Harvick.
- Lap 73: Kevin Harvick took over the lead from Matt Kenseth.
- Lap 123: Brandon Whitt lost his vehicle's rear end.
- Lap 134: Jimmie Johnson took over the lead from Kevin Harvick.
- Lap 151: Caution for debris; ended on lap 157.
- Lap 152: Sterling Marlin took over the lead from Jimmie Johnson.
- Lap 153: Jimmie Johnson took over the lead from Sterling Marlin.
- Lap 162: Kevin Harvick took over the lead from Jimmie Johnson.
- Lap 188: Caution for oil on track; ended on lap 195.
- Lap 227: Caution for Robby Gordon and Chad Chiffin's joint accident; ended on lap 230.
- Lap 234: Michael Waltrip developed engine problems.
- Lap 253: Caution due to oil on track; ended on lap 257.
- Lap 255: David Gilliland took over the lead from Kevin Harvick.
- Lap 256: Mark Martin took over the lead from David Gilliland.
- Lap 260: Jimmie Johnson took over the lead from Mark Martin.
- Lap 261: Mark Martin took over the lead from Jimmie Johnson.
- Lap 262: Mike Bliss developed engine problems.
- Lap 265: Caution due to Mike Bliss' accident; ended on lap 271.
- Lap 272: Jamie McMurray suffered from his vehicle's terminal crash.
- Lap 274: Caution due to a five-car accident; the caution officially ended on lap 281.
- Lap 283: Kevin Harvick took over the lead from Mark Martin.
- Lap 289: Dale Jarrett suffered from his vehicle's terminal crash.
- Lap 292: Caution due to Sterling Marlin and Dale Jarrett's joint accident; ended on lap 296.
- Lap 298: Jeff Green suffered from his vehicle's terminal crash.
- Lap 300: Caution due to Jeff Green's accident; ended on lap 304.
- Lap 306: Clint Bowyer's vehicle developed a problematic oil line.
- Lap 307: Caution due to Casey Mears spinning off turn two; ended on lap 309.
- Finish: Kevin Harvick won the event.
Standings after the race
| class="wikitable" |
| Pos
! Driver ! Differential |
|---|
| 1 10px
| style="text-align:center;"| 6332 | 0 |
| 2 10px
| style="text-align:center;"| 6269 | -63 |
| 3 {{Increase}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 6242 | -90 |
| 3 {{Increase}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 6242 | -90 |
| 5 {{Decrease}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 6217 | -115 |
| 6 10px
| style="text-align:center;"| 6165 | -167 |
| 7 10px
| style="text-align:center;"| 6107 | -225 |
| 8 {{Increase}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 6059 | -273 |
| 9 {{Increase}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 6013 | -319 |
| 10 {{Decrease}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 5973 | -359 |
External links
- [https://nascar-assets.ae-admin.com/uploads/races/archive/2006/1111/NN1802_QR.pdf Full qualifying results]
References
{{reflist|2}}
{{Commons category}}
{{NASCAR next race
| Series = Nextel Cup Series
| Season = 2006
| Previous_race = 2006 Dickies 500
| Next_race = 2006 Ford 400
}}
{{NASCAR on NBC/TNT}}
{{2006 Nextel Cup}}