via Getty
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 16: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Discount Tire Ford, is introduced prior to the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
via Getty
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 16: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Discount Tire Ford, is introduced prior to the NASCAR Cup Series 62nd Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
This weekend, the NASCAR fraternity will make landfall at the Phoenix Raceway. For this race, Brad Keselowski will start on pole position ahead of Las Vegas winner, Kyle Larson. Championship leader, Denny Hamlin will line up third, ahead of teammates Christopher Bell and Martin Truex Jr.
Meanwhile, Chase Elliott splits the final two Joe Gibbs drivers, with Kyle Busch in seventh. Ryan Blaney starts behind the #18 car, with Joey Logano and William Byron completing the top 10, with Ricky Stenhouse Jr and Kurt Busch missing out. Additionally, Austin Dillon, Erik Jones, Ryan Preece, and Michael McDowell will round out the Top 16.
Kevin Harvick will be bitterly disappointed to start all the way down in 18th, behind Chris Buescher. Meanwhile, Ryan Newman and Matt DiBenedetto will complete the top 20 drivers. Alex Bowman is the last of the Hendrick Motorsports quartet, with Ross Chastain behind him in 22nd place.
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Keselowski on the pole, Larson on the front row for the Cup race Sunday at Phoenix @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/bARrIlDFTj
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 10, 2021
How does everyone line up behind Brad Keselowski?
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Tyler Reddick and Cole Custer will make up Row 12, Bubba Wallace, and Chase Briscoe will line up behind them. Daniel Suarez, Anthony Alfredo, Justin Haley, and BJ McLeod will round out the top 30 drivers. Another disappointed driver will be Aric Almirola, who will start 32nd, behind Cody Ware. Corey LaJoie, JJ Yeley, Quin Houff, Josh Bilicki, Timmy Hill, and James Davison will complete the Cup Series grid.
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 21, 2021; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (2) during the O’Reilly Auto Parts 253 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Without a doubt, this race will be a closely contested battle. Drivers like Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, and Kevin Harvick will be strong at the track. In fact, Harvick has grabbed the most wins at the venue, with nine under his belt. However, he has a massive mountain to climb, all the way from 18th place.
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So the big question is, will we get a fifth different race winner? Or will McDowell, Bell, Byron or Larson, break the streak? Additionally, will championship leader, Denny Hamlin grab his first win of the 2021 Cup Series season?
