NASCAR Cup Series: Drivers, Owners & Manufacturers Championship Outlook Heading Into Phoenix

The dust has barely settled at Martinsville Speedway. Nevertheless, the Cup Series paddock prepares for its grand season finale at the Phoenix Raceway. The penultimate race was nothing short of drama, with thrilling duels and twists in the points standings till the very last lap. Now, the stage is set for a winner-takes-all showdown in Phoenix, where the four chosen ones will battle for the championship crown.

In the aftermath of the intense showdown at the Martinsville Speedway, NASCAR enthusiasts can now take a collective breath as the championship stage is set. The top four contenders, ready to duel for glory, are Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, and William Byron. Let’s take a closer look at the championship contenders.

How do the 4 contenders stack up against each other for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship glory?

Kyle Larson: The Early Bird

Kyle Larson has set his sights on Phoenix for a couple of weeks now. His engineers have been meticulously dissecting every inch of the track, preparing for the championship showdown. This early preparation gives Larson a significant edge, as he was the first driver to qualify for the Championship 4. With four wins this season, along with 14 top-five finishes and 17 top-ten finishes, Larson’s consistency is his strength. He has led a total of 1124 laps this season, showcasing his ability to control the race.

Larson’s performance at Phoenix in recent years has been impressive, with one win, 3 top-five finishes, 5 top-ten finishes, and a total of 313 laps led since 2020. His average finish of 9.8 and an average driver rating of 108.4 make him a formidable contender. Larson also secured the 2021 Cup Series Championship at Phoenix, so he knows how to win a championship here.

The extra weeks of preparation have allowed his team to fine-tune their strategy, ensuring they unload a “rocket ship” at Phoenix. With his laser focus and generational talent, Kyle Larson is indeed a force to be reckoned with.

William Byron: The Consistent Contender

William Byron emerged victorious in the spring race in Phoenix. He has clinched six wins this season, along with 14 top-five finishes and an impressive 20 top-ten finishes. Byron’s ability to maintain consistency throughout the season is one of his defining characteristics.

However, when it comes to Phoenix, his performance hasn’t been as outstanding as Larson’s. Since 2020, Byron has claimed one win at this track that was his only top 5 finish. He has scored 5 top-ten finishes and a total of 76 laps led. His average finish at Phoenix is 9.9, and his average driver rating is 98.7, considerably lower than Larson’s.

Byron’s victory during the spring race might cast some doubt on the perception that Larson was a stronger contender, as both drivers were closely matched throughout the race. With a more consistent season and a Phoenix win under his belt, William Byron remains a genuine threat in the championship.

Ryan Blaney: The Dark Horse

Ryan Blaney is the dark horse of the championship four. His runner-up finish in the spring race at Phoenix demonstrated his ability to contend when it counts. His average running position in that race was 7.5, and he spent 312 of the 317 laps inside the top 10.

This season, Blaney secured 3 wins, 7 top-five finishes, and 17 top-ten finishes. He has led a total of 560 laps, showcasing his capacity to take charge of races. The one thing not going in Blaney’s favor is that, unlike Larson and Byron, he hasn’t won a race in Phoenix since 2020. However, he has more top-five finishes, four in total, and six top-ten finishes, which is one more than Larson.

Blaney’s average finish of 9.3 and an average driver rating of 105.4 are among the best in the championship four. With the ability to contend at Phoenix and a knack for strong performances, Ryan Blaney is a significant underdog to watch.

Christopher Bell: The Outlier

Christopher Bell is clearly the outlier among the championship contenders when it comes to performance at Phoenix. In the spring race earlier this year, he started 5th and finished 6th, failing to lead any laps or seriously challenge for the race win. Despite a decent outing, his stats at Phoenix are not as promising as the other three drivers.

This season, Bell secured 2 wins, 10 top-five finishes, and 19 top-ten finishes, showcasing his competitiveness. However, his Phoenix track record is not impressive, with no wins, no top-five finishes, and no laps led since 2020. His average finish at Phoenix is 14.4, and his average driver rating is the lowest among the four at 83.6.

Bell’s strength lies in the fact that he has scored the most pole positions this season (6), especially in the playoffs, which could give him an advantage. However, he’ll need to overcome his past performance at Phoenix and contend with stronger rivals.

As we head into the championship finale at Phoenix Raceway, the stage is set for a showdown of skills, strategies, and nerves of steel. Each of these drivers brings their unique strengths and weaknesses to the table. It promises to be an electrifying battle that will keep NASCAR fans on the edge of their seats.

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With the drivers looked after, let’s take a look at the team owners and the manufacturers.

How do the owners and manufacturers stack up against each other for the NASCAR Cup Series finale?

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In the NASCAR Owners Championship, the competition extends beyond the drivers’ individual performance and delves into the collective efforts of the teams. Considered in the equation are elements such as consistency, crew members, pit stop proficiency, and a host of other variables that significantly impact the outcome.

Rick Hendrick’s teams have been a central figure in this year’s championship run, with two drivers—Kyle Larson and William Byron—in the title contention. However, the season has been a mixed bag for Hendrick Motorsports when it comes to consistency. The biggest blemish in their record is the 11 DNFs they’ve suffered collectively this season with just Byron and Larson. Despite these setbacks, they hold a critical advantage by having two cars in the season finale. The potential of having multiple shots at the championship gives Rick Hendrick an edge over other team owners, even if the consistency does take a hit at Phoenix.

Roger Penske’s #12 Team and Joe Gibbs‘ #20 Team are steady performers. The #12 team and the #20 team have fared better in terms of consistency. Both teams have suffered only three DNFs this season, relatively much fewer than Hendrick Motorsports. Penske and Gibbs have been more reliable in maintaining their cars’ performance and reliability, which bodes well for their championship aspirations.

However, it’s important to note that 3 out of the 8 of the DNFs attributed to Kyle Larson can be credited to Ross Chastain alone, which somewhat clouds the direct comparison. Penske and Gibbs will be looking to capitalize on their stronger records in the final race.

However, Joe Gibbs Racing has faced a particular issue this season that could prove costly: pit stop woes. Despite securing multiple pole positions in the playoffs, Christopher Bell has fallen short on several occasions due to pit-stop errors. The pressure will be on Joe Gibbs’ #20 team to ensure flawless pit stops at Phoenix, providing their driver the best chance to claim victory.

Here’s how the manufacturers are stacking up

Chevrolet has been dominant throughout the season. Chevrolet has been the flagbearer of manufacturers’ dominance this season. They have led the way from the very start and never let up. They have accumulated a staggering 1288 points and boast an impressive 17 wins. Chevrolet has been the frontrunner among manufacturers, consistently providing cars that can contend for victory.

Toyota has been a strong pursuer. While no doubt Toyota is a strong contender, they have been chasing Chevrolet throughout the season. With 1217 points and 10 wins under their belt, they have mounted a credible challenge. It’s important to note that Toyota has fewer cars on the grid compared to Chevrolet, which makes their achievements even more remarkable. Toyota’s performance may not solely be determined by the number of wins. But by the quality of their representation on the track.

Ford has all been about the comeback story. The Fords didn’t have the ideal start to the season. But they’ve made a remarkable comeback in the latter half. Despite their early struggles, they secured multiple wins in the latter half of the season with teams like RFK Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and Team Penske. They sit in third place in the Manufacturers Championship, with 1204 points and eight wins.

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As we gear up for the season finale, one thing is clear – Phoenix Raceway is set to host a spectacular showcase of talent, strategy, and high-speed action. NASCAR fans around the world eagerly await the moment when the checkered flag drops and a champion is crowned.