Contested over 334 laps on the 1.5-mile (2.4 km) asphalt quad-oval, it was the 34th race of the 2012 Sprint Cup Series season, as well as the 8th race in the ten-race Chase for the Sprint Cup, which ends the season.

Jimmie Johnson of Hendrick Motorsports won the race, his 5th win of the season.

[9] Three practice sessions are scheduled to be held before the race; the first on Friday, which lasted 90 minutes.

[12] Johnson clinched the 29th pole position of his career and 4th of the season, with a time of 28.261 seconds.

[13] Joey Logano, Trevor Bayne, Keselowski, Carl Edwards and Kenseth rounded out the top ten[13] The three drivers that failed to qualify for the race were Stephen Leicht, Kelly Bires, and David Stremme.

[15] Hamlin, Sam Hornish Jr., Kyle Busch, A. J. Allmendinger, and Earnhardt Jr. rounded out the first ten positions.