After a dominant weekend that has seen him lead every Sprint Cup practice session and win the pole for today's Advocare 500K, it is no surprise that Kyle Busch has dominated the opening stages of the 312-lapper around the Phoenix International Raceway. The Joe Gibbs Racing pilot has led 73 of 80 laps as he looks for his second win of what has been a trying 2012 campaign.
Busch, who won this race in 2005, currently leads teammate Denny Hamlin, Paul Menard, Mark Martin, and Aric Almirola, who is having yet another terrific run in Richard Petty's No. 43.
Defending race winner Kasey Kahne runs sixth, ahead of Kurt Busch, Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, and championship hopeful Brad Keselowski.
Burton's run is incredible, considering that he has already crashed twice this weekend. After he wrecked his backup car Saturday, the No. 31 team had to repair the car they had planned to race before Burton put it in the fence during the opening practice of the weekend.
Championship point leader Jimmie Johnson currently runs 13th, up 11 spots from his 24th-place starting spot.