Johnny Benson and his crew chief James Ince learned a thing or two about the #10 Valvoline Pontiac when the team tested here in Phoenix last week.

"Our car seems to get better and better as the run goes longer which will be really good for the race," Benson said. "We have said that a lot this year but this car will race a lot better than it qualifies."

And it didn't qualifying that bad.

Benson will start 23rd on Sunday here on the flat fast mile of Phoenix International Raceway.

Benson's speed of 130.9 mph was not quite what he hoped for but doing well Friday doesn't pay nearly as much as Sunday will.

"We worked mostly on race setup when we were here so I think that will pay dividends on Sunday. We have to start in the back of the pack but we did that last week and it worked out pretty good."

Last week Benson earned his first career victory at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, N. C. Since then Benson has spent the week doing interviews and accepting the well wishes from fans and competitors.

"We have had a pretty good time with it," he said. "A lot of people have stopped to talk and that makes you feel really good."

Sunday's race begins at 2:30 p.m. Eastern time.