This was the 26th career victory for Earnhardt, third of the season, third at Phoenix International Raceway and 10th at the track for Hendrick Motorsports.

The Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 was carried by NBC Sports on the cable/satellite NBCSN network for the American television audience.

The raceway was originally constructed with a 2.5 mi (4.0 km) road course that ran both inside and outside of the main tri-oval.

The entry list for the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 was released on Monday, November 9 at 1:23 p.m. Eastern time.

[24] Jimmie Johnson won the pole with a new track record time of 25.147 and a speed of 143.158 mph (230.390 km/h).

If we keep doing that, we’re going to close this season out just like we want to and be ready for 2016.”[26] Kurt Busch, who qualified second, said he felt that he "let the team down a little on that lap because our car is better than that.

But starting upfront here is a big advantage and we’ll work on the car a little tomorrow to fine tune and be ready to go out and race on Sunday and hope for a win.”[26] Joey Logano, who qualified 14th, said that he "just missed it a little bit.

I wish we were in the next round and going for a pole, but the fact of the matter is we’re gonna start 14th and we’re gonna work on our car tomorrow and get it ready to win a race on Sunday.”[26] Kurt Busch was the fastest in the second practice session with a time of 25.783 and a speed of 139.627 mph (224.708 km/h).

Under a clear night Arizona sky, Jimmie Johnson led the field to the green flag at 9:27 p.m.[30] He wouldn't lead the first lap though.

He wouldn't be credited with leading those laps, however, after he was black-flagged for beating the control car (the leader) to the line on the initial start and was forced to serve a pass-through penalty.

Trevor Bayne and Keselowski were both tagged for speeding on pit road and were forced to serve drive-through penalties.

Earnhardt opted not to pit – having just made his stop prior to the caution – and assumed the race lead.

[33] After three attempts to restart the race were waved off because of a safety vehicle sitting on the track in turn 4, the field continued to be under caution due to rain.

After a few minutes, NASCAR called the race and Earnhardt was declared the winner for the 26th and final time in his career, similar to the rain-shortened 2015 Quicken Loans 400 in June when Kurt Busch scored his second win of the season.

[35] Earnhardt said that his team "had an idea that the rain was in the area, but all the circumstances that played out at the end of the race are just kind of luck I think.

"[36] After a second-place finish clinched his spot in the championship race, Harvick said that he didn't "want to be greedy and be disappointed with how it went today when you look at the big picture.

I think it's definitely been a Chase that's been a little bit up and down for us, but the guys have battled through, and we've survived a lot of situations to be in contention for next week.

We were a solid second place car, but (Dale Earnhardt) Junior timed it out really well when they pitted to that caution and it worked out really well for them.”[39] He also said that he "can't help the weather.

(Crew chief) Adam Stevens and these guys, they worked hard and they persevered all through the beginning part of the season when I was gone working with David Ragan, Erik Jones and Matt Crafton and those guys that drove my race car.

But once I was able to return, it felt pretty good to get back in the car and have my team guys motivated and ready to have me back, and we've really excelled since then.”[40] Following a sixth-place finish, Gordon said that drivers "want to win when you have a car like we did today, but I'll take it again next week.

We have kind of overcome a lot of odds, and I'm just proud to be part of this group and looking forward to having the opportunity to do something that we've all dreamed about our whole lives next weekend.

Rick Allen, two–time Phoenix winner Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte had the call in the booth for the race.

Dave Burns, Mike Massaro, Marty Snider and Kelli Stavast handled pit road on the television side.

Winston Kelley, Pete Pistone and Steve Post handled pit road on the radio side.