2012 Subway Fresh Fit 500

Phoenix International Raceway, where the race was held.

Phoenix International Raceway is one of five short tracks to hold NASCAR races; the others are Richmond International Raceway, Dover International Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, and Martinsville Speedway.[2] The standard track at Phoenix International Raceway is a four-turn short track oval that is 1 mile (1.6 km) long.[3] The first two turns are banked from 10 to 11 degrees, while the final two turns are banked from 8 to 9 degrees.[4] The front stretch, the location of the finish line, is banked at three degrees. The back stretch, nicknamed the 'dogleg', varies from 10 to 11 degree banking.[4] The racetrack has seats for 76,800 spectators.[3]

Before the race, Matt Kenseth led the Drivers' Championship with 47 points, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. stood in second with 42 points. Greg Biffle and Denny Hamlin followed in third and fourth with the same amount, two ahead of Jeff Burton and three ahead of Paul Menard in fifth and sixth. Kevin Harvick with 37 was one point ahead of Carl Edwards, as Joey Logano with 36 points, was one ahead of Mark Martin three ahead of Clint Bowyer and Martin Truex, Jr.[5] In the Manufacturers' Championship, Ford was leading with nine points, three points ahead of Chevrolet. Toyota, with 4 points, was one point ahead of Dodge in the battle for third.[6] Jeff Gordon is the race's defending winner.[7]