Race Recap of Phoenix

Ryan Blaney winning the race at Phoenix Raceway was nothing short of impressive. With his 10th Cup Series win, the Team Penske driver ensured he kept his last season’s woes at bay and how. He not only secured his first-ever championship title but also helped his team earn the manufacturer’s title. While most of it was all about Blaney on Sunday, there were plenty of notable events that took place on Sunday.

It was a week to remember for Ford as a manufacturer. With Blaney’s win, it secured all three nationwide series titles in 2023. While it was all positive for them, the race at Phoenix didn’t lack any spice.

Ryan Blaney pulled off a miraculous run to deny Kyle Larson his second championship title

Among the four finalists, Ryan Blaney and Willian Byron didn’t quite have the experience of being in a grand finale. While Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell knew how intense could it get, it didn’t go as planned for the latter on Sunday. Prior to the race, Bell looked pretty confident but didn’t know what was coming his way.

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver saw his finale run end prematurely during lap 108 when a broken brake motor caused him to crash into the outside wall. While the #20 driver was unharmed, it meant this was the second consecutive year that Bell failed to shine bright in a Cup Series final.

It was indeed a sad ending for Bell but the same cannot be said for Kevin Harvick. The Stewart-Haas Racing driver was racing for the final time before officially hanging up his helmet. On a track where he has previously done well, Harvick finished seventh.

Speaking to the media after the race, he said, “It’s been an emotional roller coaster for sure. This really means a lot to me because I love driving a racecar, I love being around the people more. This sport’s done so much for me. I opened this chapter unexpectedly in 2001 and closed it how we wanted in 2023, being competitive.”

Despite it being Harvick’s last race, it was more about how Ryan Blaney clinched the title. Had it not been for a late caution for Kyle Busch’s spin, Blaney would have faced an intense battle with Kyle Larson and William Byron. He raced past Larson with less than 20 laps left for a second-place finish and eventually winning the title.

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However, it was his tussle with the race-winner Ross Chastain that caught everyone’s eye.

Ross Chastain made Blaney work hard for his championship win at Phoenix Raceway

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Since the elimination style of playoffs was introduced in 2014, it was the first time on Sunday that a driver outside the Championship 4 won the final race. Ross Chastain, who has a reputation for being untraditional, made another record at Phoenix Raceway. In fact, he left Ryan Blaney irritated more often than not in the final.

After the 250th lap on Sunday, Chastain and Blaney battled intensely for the lead. However, the Trackhouse Racing driver tried to use the air to his advantage and annoyed the #12 driver. While Chastain tried to use the dirty air in his favor, it didn’t make Blaney any happy about it. However, the #1 driver remained unfazed about it.

Speaking after the race, he said, “I know he’s mad and I don’t care. I do not care, I did not care then; I do not care now. I’m here to race him. I’m not going to wreck him. I gave him the bottom most times. One time I was inside of him after he got by me, I crossed back over into (Turn) 3 and I made sure to wrap the bottom. I’m not going to slide up and pinch him at all. It’s in my mind the entire time, for sure.”

While Chastain shared his point of view, so did Blaney. He said, “When you look in the mirror going left, right, left, following wherever I go, I don’t understand how he thinks I’m racing him hard. He’s backing me up to (Larson). I have to go. He’s backing me up to Larson to where I’m going to be in trouble.”

The Team Penske driver even confirmed how he ran into the back of Chastain on purpose. He said, “F**king right I hit him on purpose. He blocked me on purpose 10 times. So, yeah, I hit him on purpose. What do you expect me to do? He’s backing me up to the other championship guy and I got to go.”

It was indeed a spicey affair between the two. Fortunately for both the drivers, they got their own agendas served. What did you make of the finale? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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