Tensions were high in the AT&T racing team's pit as the final laps clicked off in Saturday night's Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. The pre-determined fuel window for Jeff Burton's No. 31 Chevy was 79 laps and a miscalculation could mean the difference between a top-10 finish and a long trip back to North Carolina from the Phoenix desert.

When the green flag waved with 79 laps to go, crew chief Scott Miller knew it could go either way depending on caution flags or lack thereof, and Burton's ability to save gas. When the front runners peeled off the racing surface to pit for fuel with 15 laps to go, the AT&T team took a collective deep breath and held it until Burton crossed the finish line sixth and collected their sixth consecutive top-10 finish of the season.

The gutsy effort helped Burton maintain the top spot in the NASCAR Cup Series point standings and extended their lead by 21 points to sit 80 markers ahead of second-place Kyle Busch.

After a less than desired qualifying effort of 39th, Burton knew he would have his hands full for the 312-lap showdown in the desert.

Despite chasing a loose-handling condition throughout the entire 500-lap contest, the South Boston, Va., native charged through the field and felt right at home running in and around the top 15 halfway through the event.

Strong pit stops over the day's seven caution periods propelled the points leader to 10th when the field returned to green on lap 199.

With 79 laps remaining, the No. 31 team was exactly within their fuel window but there were a few variables, such as Burton's ability to conserve fuel while on the track and the potential for additional caution flags.

The cautions never came over the closing stages but Burton and company knew the only way to ensure a solid finish was to ride it out and hope the fuel tank wouldn't run dry. As several front runners began to pit for gas, the No. 31 Chevy continued to pick up positions on the race track.

On lap 300 he was 10th, seventh three laps later and third on lap 306. Those who had to make fuel stops also took two fresh tires and began to catch Burton by lap 309. Still trying to conserve fuel, the two-time Phoenix winner allowed Denny Hamlin, Carl Edwards and Mark Martin to pass for position and the team's fuel mileage gamble paid off in the form of a sixth-place finish.

Jimmie Johnson captured his first win of the 2008 season followed by Richard Childress Racing teammate Clint Bowyer. Hamlin, Edwards and Martin rounded out the top-five finishers.

Burton's fellow RCR teammate Kevin Harvick finished 19th after surrendering his third-place position to pit for fuel on lap 306.

Following a weekend off, the AT&T Racing team will head to Talladega, Ala. for the second restrictor-plate race of 2008. Live coverage of the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway begins Sunday, April 27 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on FOX. The race will also broadcast worldwide on the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius Satellite Radio. Qualifying for round nine of the 2008 NASCAR Cup Series championship will air live on SPEED Saturday, April 26 at 11 a.m. EDT. MRN and Sirius Satellite Radio will provide live qualifying updates.

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