2006 Checker Auto Parts 500


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. 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 and the Arizona Travel 200.

Qualifying

*Qualified by owner's points.
**Qualified by champion's provisional.

Timeline

Section reference:
  • 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.