(AP) -- Suddenly, the 25 points Dale Earnhardt Jr. lost for uttering a vulgarity during a live TV interview are looming very large indeed.

Junior came up with a big victory Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway, leaping from fifth to third in the NASCAR Nextel Cup standings. With only two races left, he trails series leader Kurt Busch by 47 points and second-place Jeff Gordon by six.

Restore the points that Earnhardt was docked for his slip of the tongue after his previous win, Oct. 3 at Talladega, and he would be only 22 points off the pace.

Although he admits he watched his language after his latest victory - the 15th of his career - Junior really hasn't given much thought to the lost points. After all, he points out, even with those 25 points, Earnhardt would still be behind Busch.

"Well, being in second still ain't first, so it really doesn't matter," Earnhardt said after outdueling Gordon at the end Sunday. "I'm not going to dwell on that."