USA Today via Reuters
Mar 13, 2022; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Briscoe (14) celebrates his victory of the Ruoff Mortgage 500 at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 13, 2022; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Briscoe (14) celebrates his victory of the Ruoff Mortgage 500 at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Last weekend, Chase Briscoe roared to victory at the Phoenix Raceway. In the process, he became the 200th different Cup Series winner. The 27-year-old started the race from 6th place and steadily kept himself in contention throughout the race. At the end of Stage 1, he finished 2nd behind William Byron and ahead of Chase Elliott. In essence, he split the two Hendrick Motorsports cars, and he was the only Ford in the Top 5.
#NASCAR: @ChaseBriscoe_14's win at @phoenixraceway made him the 200th winner in the Cup Series. Where do the sport's best land in NASCAR history? Find out here: https://t.co/9YyRS2ixIP
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) March 16, 2022
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When Stage 2 concluded, the #14 driver found himself lower down the order in 8th place, which was a bit disappointing. Meanwhile, Ryan Blaney took top honors, ahead of Elliott and Kevin Harvick. Additionally, Briscoe had Byron, Kyle Larson, Tyler Reddick and Ross Chastain ahead of him.
How did the final stage pan out for Chase Briscoe?
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For the final 127 laps, Briscoe simply put the hammer down. He scythed his way up the order, leapfrogging Chastain and Reddick. Before long, he managed to snatch the lead with 60 laps to go. At the time, Chase Elliott and Kevin Harvick were running in 2nd and third. Then, with 27 laps to go, Erik Jones brought out a caution, one of a fair number of cautions.
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 13, 2022; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Briscoe (14) during the Ruoff Mortgage 500 at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
This time, the #43 driver spun around and caused both of his right-side tires to deflate. Then, during the restart, Chastain got an excellent run and almost took the lead of the race. Fortunately for Stewart-Haas Racing, Chase Briscoe was able to fend him off by out-dragging him toward the first turn. Soon, even Reddick began to lurk in the background, just behind 3rd-placed Kevin Harvick.
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On the very next lap, he made the move stick, while the battle for the lead got very spicy. Unfortunately, with nine laps to go, Chase Elliott brought out the last caution. When the #9 car was finally cleared from the track, there were no holds barred between the three drivers hunting for a maiden win. In the final couple of laps, Briscoe rabbited away, leaving Chastain and Reddick to fight among themselves. Finally, Briscoe became the 200th different NASCAR winner, with Reddick second and Chastain third.
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