Just as the 2011 Chase was about to begin Tony Stewart said he didn’t deserve to make the Chase and that other drivers deserved his spot due to the fact he hadn't visited Victory Lane to that point. Fast forward to two races remaining in the 2011 NASCAR season, Stewart has four wins and is only three markers behind point leader Carl Edwards as he chases his third Sprint Cup championship.

This weekend Phoenix will host the ninth race of the Chase and drivers will be facing some big unknowns thanks to the reconstruction of the Phoenix International Raceway.

Changes to the track include reworking the backstretch dogleg to equal the 10-11 degrees of banking in turn one. Progressive banking has been added in the turns and the front stretch widened by 10 feet in hopes of creating some side by side action in the Nationwide and Sprint Cup races.

The Chase seems to have become a two man race between Edwards and Stewart with Kevin Harvick 33 points back in third.

Ricky Stenhouse has done a great job all season and is looking to continue building on his 17 point lead over Elliott Sadler to secure his first Nationwide Series Championship.

The on track action in Phoenix kicks off Thursday with Nationwide Series practices at 3:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., respectively.

Sprint Cup Series drivers take to the track on Friday for their first practice of the weekend at 1:30 p.m., live on SPEED. Final Nationwide practice takes place at 3:40 p.m. before Sprint Cup Happy Hour at 5:30 p.m., live on ESPN2.

Saturday opens with Nationwide qualifying at 12:05 p.m. followed by Sprint Cup qualifying at 1:40 p.m. Both can be seen live on SPEED. Catch the WYPALL 200 live on ESPN2 with driver introductions beginning at 3:00 p.m.

On Sunday, the Chase heats up with the Kobalt Tools 500 live on ESPN at 3:00 p.m. Driver introductions begin at 2:30 p.m.

All times are eastern.

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