Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009

Busch on the verge of clinching Nationwide title

"It's pretty cool," Busch said. "I wish I could have gotten it done as soon as possible, but as soon as possible is going to come [this] week."

However, his championship scenario at Phoenix could change, depending on the outcome of a rules infraction that occurred during last Friday's pre-race inspection at Texas. Busch's No.18 Toyota was found to have improperly secured weight. His Joe Gibbs Racing team faces a potential points penalty for the violation.

Busch once again will attempt to win all three of NASCAR's races this weekend. He won the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series events at Texas, but finished 11th in Sunday's Sprint Cup race after running out of fuel and giving up the lead to his brother, Kurt, with less than three laps to go.

Kevin Harvick and Kevin Conway also will pull triple duty at Phoenix.

Busch has finished 10th or better, including two victories, in the last four races at Phoenix. He also has led a least one lap in three of those four races there.

Edwards won at Phoenix one year ago. The Roush Fenway Racing driver led the final 78 laps and held off a hard-charging Denny Hamlin in an over-time finish. Busch finished fifth.

Greg Biffle has the most wins at Phoenix with three. Biffle, whose third victory there came earlier this year, is not entered in Saturday's race.

Forty-six teams are on the preliminary entry list for the Able Body Labor 200.

Jason Bowles, the 2009 Camping World Series West champion, will make his series debut at Phoenix, driving the No.61 Ford. Bowles will miss his championship awards banquet, held in Concord, NC on Saturday, in order to race.

"For this weekend in my first start, my goals are to first finish the race, and I think a top-20 finish is reasonable," Bowles said. "The biggest thing I need to show is that I am capable of running at this level and taking care of the equipment."