Below is a look at the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Championship 4 contenders at Phoenix Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona leading into the Championship Race on November 5 at 3 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Outlook Following Martinsville Speedway (Race No. 35 of 36)RankDriverPointsRace WinsStage WinsPlayoff Pts+/- Cutoff1Ryan Blaney5,0003614Advanced To Championship 4 Round2Christopher Bell5,00024163Kyle Larson5,00048244William Byron5,00068415Denny Hamlin2,3543832Eliminated From The Playoffs6Tyler Reddick2,32926167Brad Keselowski2,27806118Chris Buescher2,26331219Ross Chastain2,242151110Bubba Wallace2,24200011Joey Logano2,23913812Martin Truex Jr.2,228363613Kyle Busch2,220321914Kevin Harvick2,19401415Michael McDowell2,15712716Ricky Stenhouse Jr.2,154105
PHOENIX-SPECIFIC STATISTICS
*Playoff drivers are seeded by best finishes from the Playoffs Round of 8; Loop Data from 2005-2021.
1 – Ryan Blaney (No. 12 Team Penske Ford)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 88.3, seventh-best
2023 Rundown:
Three wins, seven top fives, 17 top 10sLed 560 lapsAverage Finish of 14.4
Phoenix Raceway Outlook:
Six top fives, 10 top 10s, three polesAverage Finish of 11.933, ninth-bestAverage Running Position of 9.717, fourth-bestDriver Rating of 98.2, sixth-best205 Fastest Laps Run, 10th-best3,861 Laps in the Top 15 (82.1%), 10th-most407 Quality Passes, 13th-most
2 – Christopher Bell (No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 92.0, fifth-best
2023 Rundown:
Two wins, 10 top fives, 19 top 10s, six polesLed 599 lapsAverage Finish of 12.3
Phoenix Raceway Outlook:
Four top 10sAverage Finish of 14.429, 13th-bestAverage Running Position of 13.624, 12th-bestDriver Rating of 83.6, 13th-best56 Fastest Laps Run, 16th-best1,279 Laps in the Top 15 (58.3%), 19th-most274 Quality Passes, 19th-most
3 – Kyle Larson (No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 96.4, third-best
2023 Rundown:
Four wins, 14 top fives, 17 top 10s, two polesLed 1,127 lapsAverage Finish of 15.0
Phoenix Raceway Outlook:
One win, seven top fives, 11 top 10s, two polesAverage Finish of 11.722, sixth-bestAverage Running Position of 10.709, seventh-bestDriver Rating of 97.7, seventh-best246 Fastest Laps Run, ninth-best4,151 Laps in the Top 15 (74.8%), ninth-most500 Quality Passes, 10th-most
4 – William Byron (No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)
Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 98.1, series-best
2023 Rundown:
Six wins, 14 top fives, 20 top 10s, three polesLed 921 lapsAverage Finish of 11.2
Phoenix Raceway Outlook:
One win, one top five, six top 10sAverage Finish of 11.909, seventh-bestAverage Running Position of 10.694, sixth-bestDriver Rating of 91.5, 10th-best116 Fastest Laps Run, 12th-best2,692 Laps in the Top 15 (78.2%), 13th-most422 Quality Passes, 12th-mostActive NASCAR Cup Series Drivers with Championships (1949 – 2022)RankNo. of TitlesActive Champions (7)Years12Joey Logano2022, 2018 2Kyle Busch2019, 201531Kyle Larson2021 1Chase Elliott20201Martin Truex Jr.2017 1Kevin Harvick20141Brad Keselowski2012
NASCAR Cup Series Season Finale Playoff Fast Facts: Phoenix Raceway
The 2023 season marks the fourth year the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race will be held at Phoenix Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona (2020-2023), and the 20th consecutive season Phoenix has participated in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.Since the inception of the Playoffs in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2004, Phoenix Raceway has occupied three different positions on the postseason schedule:In 2004, Phoenix Raceway hosted the eighth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, and the event was won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr.From 2005 — 2019 (15 seasons), Phoenix Raceway hosted the penultimate race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs — Race No. 9 of 10. The event became the elimination race of the Round of 8 from 2014-2019.From 2020-2023 (four seasons), Phoenix Raceway has hosted the season finale race in the NASCAR Cup Series.A total of 11 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff races at Phoenix Raceway.Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in Playoff race wins at Phoenix Raceway with four victories (2006, 2012, 2013 and 2014).Since hosting the series‘ Championship Race (2020-2022), the winner of the race has also won the NASCAR Cup Series title – Chase Elliott won at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 8, 2020, Kyle Larson won at Phoenix on Nov. 7, 2021, and Joey Logano won at Phoenix on Nov. 6, 2022.Among the Championship 4 drivers this season — Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson and William Byron — Larson is the only driver to win a Playoff race at Phoenix and did so in 2021.NASCAR Cup Series Phoenix Raceway Playoff Race WinnersTrackPlayoff Race WinnersDateRace No.PhoenixDale Earnhardt JrSunday, November 7, 200434PhoenixKyle BuschSunday, November 13, 200535PhoenixKevin HarvickSunday, November 12, 200635PhoenixJimmie JohnsonSunday, November 11, 200735PhoenixJimmie JohnsonSunday, November 9, 200835PhoenixJimmie JohnsonSunday, November 15, 200935PhoenixCarl EdwardsSunday, November 14, 201035PhoenixKasey KahneSunday, November 13, 201135PhoenixKevin HarvickSunday, November 11, 201235PhoenixKevin HarvickSunday, November 10, 201335PhoenixKevin HarvickSunday, November 9, 201435PhoenixDale Earnhardt JrSunday, November 15, 201535PhoenixJoey LoganoSunday, November 13, 201635PhoenixMatt KensethSunday, November 12, 201735PhoenixKyle BuschSunday, November 11, 201835PhoenixDenny HamlinSunday, November 10, 201935PhoenixChase ElliottSunday, November 8, 202036PhoenixKyle LarsonSunday, November 7, 202136PhoenixJoey LoganoSunday, November 6, 202236Four non-Playoff drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Phoenix Raceway: Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Matt Kenseth. In 2005, Kyle Busch won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race on the postseason schedule, and was ranked 19th in the point standings at the time of the win.In 2011, Kasey Kahne won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race on the postseason schedule, and was ranked 14th in the point standings at the time of the win.In 2015, Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race on the postseason schedule, and was seventh in the point standings at the time of the win. Earnhardt Jr. had made the Playoffs in 2015 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.In 2017, Matt Kenseth won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Phoenix Raceway, then the ninth race on the postseason schedule, and was seventh in points at the time of the win. Kenseth had made the Playoffs in 2017 but was eliminated in the Round of 12.The worst finish in a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Phoenix Raceway by a driver that went on to win the title the same season was 38th by Jimmie Johnson in 2016 – Phoenix occupied the penultimate event of the season.Prior to the 2020 season, Homestead-Miami Speedway hosted the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff‘s season finale from 2004-2019 (16 seasons). Phoenix Raceway is just the second track to host the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race in the Playoffs.A total of 13 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race during the Playoff Era: 2004-2022. Greg Biffle leads the NASCAR Cup Series in Championship Race wins from 2004-2022 with three victories (2004, 2005, 2006 — all at Homestead-Miami Speedway).NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race Winners (Race No. 36)TrackPlayoff Race WinnersDateRace No.HomesteadGreg BiffleSunday, November 21, 200436HomesteadGreg BiffleSunday, November 20, 200536HomesteadGreg BiffleSunday, November 19, 200636HomesteadMatt KensethSunday, November 18, 200736HomesteadCarl EdwardsSunday, November 16, 200836HomesteadDenny HamlinSunday, November 22, 200936HomesteadCarl EdwardsSunday, November 21, 201036HomesteadTony StewartSunday, November 20, 201136HomesteadJeff GordonSunday, November 18, 201236HomesteadDenny HamlinSunday, November 17, 201336HomesteadKevin HarvickSunday, November 16, 201436HomesteadKyle BuschSunday, November 22, 201536HomesteadJimmie JohnsonSunday, November 20, 201636HomesteadMartin Truex JrSunday, November 19, 201736HomesteadJoey LoganoSunday, November 18, 201836HomesteadKyle BuschSunday, November 17, 201936PhoenixChase ElliottSunday, November 8, 202036PhoenixKyle LarsonSunday, November 7, 202136PhoenixJoey LoganoSunday, November 6, 202236Since the inception of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in 2004, the winner of the NASCAR Cup Series season finale race has won the championship 10 times, including the last nine consecutive: 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022.In 2011, Tony Stewart won from the 15th starting position at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and as a result secured his third-career NASCAR Cup Series championship in the closest points battle in series history — tied with Carl Edwards — Stewart won the title by virtue of the tiebreaker: most wins.In 2014, Kevin Harvick won from the fifth starting position at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the first year of the elimination-style format of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, as a result he won his first series title.In 2015, Kyle Busch won from the third starting position at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the second year of the elimination-style format of the Playoffs, as a result he won his first series championship.In 2016, Jimmie Johnson won from the 14th starting position at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the third year of the elimination-style format of the Playoffs, and as a result he tied NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the series-most championships with seven each.In 2017, Martin Truex Jr. won from the second starting position at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the fourth year of the elimination-style format of the Playoffs, and as a result he won his first series championship.In 2018, Joey Logano won from the fifth starting position at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the fifth year of the elimination-style format of the Playoffs, and as a result he won his first series championship.In 2019, Kyle Busch won from the fourth starting position at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the sixth year of the elimination-style format of the Playoffs, and as a result he became just the second active driver at the time with multiple titles (20115, 2019) joining seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson.In 2020, Chase Elliott won from the first starting position at Phoenix Raceway in the seventh year of the elimination-style format of the Playoffs, and as a result he won his first series championship. Worth noting, Elliott was served a pre-race penalty and as a result of serving the penalty he actually started the race from back of the field and still won.In 2021, Kyle Larson won from the pole position at Phoenix Raceway in the eighth year of the elimination-style format of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, and as a result he won his first series championship.In 2022, Joey Logano won from the pole position at Phoenix Raceway in the ninth year of the elimination-style format of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. With the win, Logano earned his second NASCAR Cup Series championship (2018, 2022), becoming just the second active driver with multiple titles.The worst finish in a Playoff race by the eventual series champion at Homestead-Miami Speedway is 15th (three times): Tony Stewart in 2005, Jimmie Johnson in 2008 and Brad Keselowski in 2012.Two non-Playoff drivers have won the Homestead-Miami Speedway season finale Playoff race: Greg Biffle (2004 and 2006) and Denny Hamlin (2013).
NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 Comparisons:
Comparing Season Stats Heading into the Season Finale
2023StartsWinsTop FivesTop 10sPolesLaps LedLaps Completed% LedAvg. StartAvg. FinishDriver RatingRyan Blaney35371705608,7486.40%12.614.488.3Christopher Bell352101965998,7606.84%9.512.392.0Kyle Larson354141721,1278,62813.06%10.515.096.4William Byron356142039218,75210.52%11.211.298.1Totals & Averages154573113,20734,8889.2%11.013.293.7Winning Percentage42.86%2022StartsWinsTop FivesTop 10sPolesLaps LedLaps Completed% LedAvg. StartAvg. FinishDriver RatingJoey Logano353101635978,9816.60%10.713.889.5Christopher Bell353121945738,5046.70%9.913.991.2Ross Chastain352142006928,7407.90%14.113.593.4Chase Elliott355122038578,51410.10%10.81299.1Totals & Averages134875102,71934,7397.80%11.413.393.3Winning Percentage37.10%2021StartsWinsTop FivesTop 10sPolesLaps LedLaps Completed% LedAvg. StartAvg. FinishDriver RatingKyle Larson359192512,4748,68828.50%6.29.3111.9Chase Elliott352142008588,7389.80%8.211.8101.5Martin Truex Jr.354121907938,8229.00%8.312.396.7Denny Hamlin352182401,5028,88416.90%6.48.6109.2Totals & Averages17638815,62735,13216.10%7.310.5104.8Winning Percentage48.60%2020StartsWinsTop FivesTop 10sPolesLaps LedLaps Completed% LedAvg. StartAvg. FinishDriver RatingJoey Logano353112008149,4738.60%6.512.1101Chase Elliott354142111,0949,22911.90%9.212102.3Brad Keselowski354122309369,4279.90%7.710.399.4Denny Hamlin357172001,0839,57911.30%99.5100.3Totals & Averages18548413,92737,70810.40%8.111100.8Winning Percentage51.40% 2019StartsWinsTop FivesTop 10sPolesLaps LedLaps Completed% LedAvg. StartAvg. FinishDriver RatingDenny Hamlin356192339209,8579.30%11.39.597.7Kyle Busch354162611,4629,90014.80%12.59.2107.5Martin Truex Jr.357142301,2689,88512.80%13.410102.7Kevin Harvick354142569129,5379.60%8.710.2104.9Totals & Averages216397104,56239,17911.60%11.59.7103.2Winning Percentage60.00%2018StartsWinsTop FivesTop 10sPolesLaps LedLaps Completed% LedAvg. StartAvg. FinishDriver RatingJoey Logano352122518549,5598.90%9.910.996.1Kyle Busch358212741,4489,73414.90%7.68.4109.3Martin Truex Jr.354192049969,49310.50%10.111101.2Kevin Harvick358222841,9329,42420.50%8.79115.2Totals & Averages2274100135,23038,21013.70%9.19.8105.5Winning Percentage62.90%
2017StartsWinsTop FivesTop 10sPolesLaps LedLaps Completed% LedAvg. StartAvg. FinishDriver RatingMartin Truex Jr.357182532,17510,10121.5%6.99.7115.7Kyle Busch355132181,98010,01719.8%7.311.8108.2Brad Keselowski353152027779,2268.4%8.912.695.9Kevin Harvick352132248509,8888.6%8.811.3102.7Totals & Averages175988175,78239,23214.7%811.3105.6Winning Percentage48.6%2016StartsWinsTop FivesTop 10sPolesLaps LedLaps Completed% LedAvg. StartAvg. FinishDriver RatingJimmie Johnson354101517349,9637.4%1214.395.7Kyle Busch354172421,3789,65714.3%9.611.6104.7Carl Edwards353918687110,0468.7%7.113.397.6Joey Logano353152536979,8927.0%7.910.7100.8Totals & Averages145182123,68039,5589.3%9.112.599.7Winning Percentage40.0%2015StartsWinsTop FivesTop 10sPolesLaps LedLaps Completed% LedAvg. StartAvg. FinishDriver RatingKyle Busch354111516956,48510.7%8.411.2107.1Kevin Harvick353222712,2489,91322.7%8.28.9118.9Martin Truex Jr.351822056410,0055.6%12.512.2100Jeff Gordon351520425610,0252.6%1213.992.5Totals & Averages9468463,76336,42810.3%10.311.5104.6Winning Percentage25.7%2014StartsWinsTop FivesTop 10sPolesLaps LedLaps Completed% LedAvg. StartAvg. FinishDriver RatingJoey Logano3551622199310,1279.8%9.811.2106.7Kevin Harvick354131982,0839,76521.3%9.213.3109.9Denny Hamlin35171733139,4433.3%14.714.590.7Ryan Newman35041504110,2120.4%13.11386.1Totals & Averages104073123,43039,5478.7%11.71398.4Winning Percentage28.6%
NASCAR Cup Series 2023 Championship 4 Round Drivers at Phoenix Raceway
RankDriverRacesPolesWinsTop FivesTop 10sDNFsAverage FinishDriver Rating1Ryan Blaney1530610211.998.22Christopher Bell70004014.483.63Kyle Larson1821711211.797.74William Byron110116011.991.5
* — Based on last 36 races at Phoenix Raceway (2005 — 2023).
Phoenix Raceway Stats & Tidbits:
Season Race #: 36 of 36 (11-05-23)
Track Size: 1-mile
The Purse: $11,143,232
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 9 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 11 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 3 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 9 degrees
Race Length: 312 laps / 500 Kilometers / 312 Miles
Stage 1 Length: 60 laps
Stage 2 Length: 125 laps
Final Stage Length: 127 laps
QUALIFYING / RACE RECORDS
Track Qualifying Record:
Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, 143.158 mph, 25.147 secs., November 13, 2015
2022 Championship Race Pole Winner:
Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford, 134.389 mph, 26.788 secs., November 5, 2022
Track Race Record:
Tony Stewart, Joe Gibbs Racing Pontiac, 118.132 mph, (02:38:28), November 7, 1999
2021 Championship Race Winner:
Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford, 104.757 mph, (02:58:42), November 6, 2022
HISTORY
Construction was completed, on what was then known as Phoenix International Raceway, in January of 1964.The facility consisted of a one-mile oval and a 2.5-mile road course.NASCAR Hall of Famer Alan Kulwicki won the first NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway on November 6, 1988.The first spring race at Phoenix Raceway was held on April 23, 2005 and was also the first night race, which was won by Kurt Busch.The track underwent its first repave in 2011. The construction began in March and concluded in September of that year.The following changes were made during the construction period (March — Sept. 2011):Widened the frontstretch from 52 to 62 feet and reconfigured pit road with the installation of concrete pit stallsPushed the dog-leg curve between Turn 2 and Turn 3 out 95 feet and tightened the turn radius of the dog-leg from 800 to 500 feetImplemented banking, including 11-degree banking between Turn 1 and Turn 2; 10-11-degree banking in the apex of the dog-leg; and 9-degree banking in Turns 3 and 4.Phoenix Raceway underwent a second reconstruction following the Spring race of 2018, with many new fan amenities added to the track, as well as the track itself being reconfigured so that the start/finish line is now just before the dog leg.In total, there have been 54 NASCAR Cup Series races at Phoenix Raceway, one per season from 1988-2004 and two each season since.Phoenix Raceway has participated in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs since 2004.The 2020 season marked the first year Phoenix Raceway hosted the championship finale race (2020-2023).
STARTS
In total 242 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway, and 184 have competed in more than one Cup Series race at Phoenix.Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Phoenix Raceway with 41 appearances.In total 25 different drivers have made their first NASCAR Cup Series career start at Phoenix Raceway; none are currently active in the series; the most recent was Bayley Currey on March 10, 2019.Of the 25 drivers that made their first NASCAR Cup Series start at Phoenix Raceway, Clint Bowyer had the best finish in his series debut at Phoenix with a 22nd-place finish on April 23, 2005.First-Time DriversDateFirst-Time DriversDate1Bayley CurreySunday, March 10, 201914Jack SpragueSunday, October 27, 19962Quin HouffSunday, March 10, 201915Lance HooperSunday, October 27, 19963Tanner BerryhillSunday, November 11, 201816Ernie CopeSunday, October 29, 19954D.J. KenningtonSunday, November 13, 201617Rich Woodland JrSunday, October 31, 19935Ryan EllisSunday, November 15, 201518Wayne JacksSunday, October 31, 19936Matt DiBenedettoSunday, March 15, 201519Jeff DavisSunday, November 1, 19927Cole WhittSunday, November 13, 201120Mike WallaceSunday, November 3, 19918Sam Hornish JrSunday, November 11, 200721Brent KaedingSunday, November 4, 19909Brandon WhittSunday, November 12, 200622Mark ReedSunday, November 4, 199010Jerry RobertsonSunday, November 13, 200523Bill SedgwickSunday, November 5, 198911Clint BowyerSaturday, April 23, 200524Bobby HamiltonSunday, November 5, 198912Christian FittipaldiSunday, November 10, 200225Gary CollinsSunday, November 6, 198813Ryan NewmanSunday, November 5, 2000 Ryan Blaney leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Phoenix Raceway with a 5.533 in 15 starts each.
Top 10 in Average Starting Position at Phoenix Raceway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg StartRaceRankActive DriversAvg StartRaces1Ryan Blaney5.533151Ryan Blaney5.533152Chase Elliott5.571142Chase Elliott5.571143Kyle Larson6.389183Kyle Larson6.389184Rusty Wallace8.053194Denny Hamlin9.583365Alan Kulwicki8.60055Christopher Bell10.00076Denny Hamlin9.583366Joey Logano10.276297Christopher Bell10.00077Kyle Busch10.667368Joey Logano10.276298William Byron11.273119Kyle Busch10.667369Martin Truex Jr12.1713510Jeff Gordon10.7943410Erik Jones12.92914
POLES
There have been 26 different NASCAR Cup Series pole winners at Phoenix Raceway and 16 of 26 pole winners have won multiple poles at the one-mile track.A total of 12 of the 26 NASCAR Cup Series Phoenix Raceway pole winners are active this weekend.Active Phoenix Pole Winners (12)PolesSeasonsKyle Busch42006, 2012, 2016, 2019Ryan Newman42002, 2003, 2004, 2008Ryan Blaney32017, 2019, 2022Kyle Larson22021, 2023Joey Logano22017, 2022Kevin Harvick22015, 2018Martin Truex Jr22009, 2018Denny Hamlin22005, 2014Chase Elliott12020Alex Bowman12016Brad Keselowski12014AJ Allmendinger12010Ryan Newman (2002, 2003, 2004, 2008) and Kyle Busch (2006, 2012, 2016, 2019) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Phoenix Raceway with four each.Geoffrey Bodine won the first NASCAR Cup Series pole at Phoenix Raceway in 1988 at a speed of 123.203 mph (29.220 secs.) in a Chevrolet.Youngest series Phoenix pole winner: Kyle Busch (April 22, 2006 — 20 years, 11 months, 20 days).Oldest series Phoenix pole winner: Mark Martin (March 3, 2013 — 54 years, 1 month, 22 days).Ryan Newman, Jeff Gordon and Carl Edwards are the only drivers to win consecutive poles at Phoenix Raceway. Newman won three-straight (2002-04), Gordon won in the Fall of 2006 and the Spring of 2007. Edwards won in the Fall of 2010 and Spring of 2011.Four drivers have won their first career NASCAR Cup Series pole at Phoenix Raceway: Casey Atwood (October 2001), Denny Hamlin (November 2005), AJ Allmendinger (April 2010) and Alex Bowman (November 2016).A total of 17 different owners have won the pole at Phoenix Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series.Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Phoenix Raceway with 14 among nine different drivers: Geoff Bodine (1988), Ken Schrader (1989), Jeff Gordon (2005, 2006, 2007), Kyle Busch (2006), Jimmie Johnson (2008, 2013, 2015), Mark Martin (2009), Alex Bowman (2016), Chase Elliott (2020) and Kyle Larson (2021, 2023).Five different manufacturers have won a pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway, led by Chevrolet with 20 and followed by Ford (17), Toyota (7), Dodge (4) and Pontiac (4).
WINS
A total of 29 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Phoenix Raceway, and 13 of the 29 have won multiple times at the one-mile track.A total of 10 of the 29 NASCAR Cup Series Phoenix Raceway winners are active this weekend.Active Phoenix Race Winners (10)WinsSeasonsKevin Harvick92018, 2016, 2015, 2014 sweep, 2013, 2012, 2007 sweepJoey Logano32022, 2020, 2016Kyle Busch32019, 2018, 2005Denny Hamlin22019, 2012Ryan Newman22017, 2010William Byron12023Chase Briscoe12022Kyle Larson12021Martin Truex Jr12021Chase Elliott12020Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Phoenix Raceway with nine victories (2006 sweep, 2012 Playoff race, 2013 Playoff race, 2014 sweep, 2015 Spring race, 2016 Spring race, 2018 Spring race).A total of 13 drivers have multiple wins at Phoenix Raceway: Kevin Harvick leads the series in wins with nine followed by Jimmie Johnson (four), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (three), Kyle Busch (three), Joe Logano (three), Davey Allison (two), Jeff Burton (two), Jeff Gordon (two) Carl Edwards (two), Mark Martin (two), Matt Kenseth (two), Ryan Newman (two), and Denny Hamlin (two).Of the 13 drivers with multiple wins at Phoenix Raceway, Mark Martin (Ford; 1993 and Chevrolet; 2009) and Kyle Busch (Chevrolet; 2005 and Toyota; 2018, 2019) are the only two drivers to win in two different manufacturers.Six drivers have won consecutive races at Phoenix Raceway: Davey Allison (1991,1992); Jeff Burton (2000, 2001); Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2003, 2004); Kevin Harvick (swept 2006, then 2013 Playoff race, swept 2014 and 2015 spring race); Jimmie Johnson (fall race of 2007, swept 2008); Kyle Busch (Playoff race 2018, Spring race 2019).Three drivers have scored their first career NASCAR Cup Series victory at Phoenix Raceway – Alan Kulwicki (11/6/1988), Bobby Hamilton (10/27/1996) and Chase Briscoe (3/13/2022).In total 22 different starting positions on the grid have resulted in victories in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix.Eight of the 54 NASCAR Cup Series races (14.81%) at Phoenix Raceway have been won from the pole or first starting position: Jeff Gordon (Spring race of 2007), Jimmie Johnson (Playoff race of 2008), Mark Martin (Spring race of 2009), Carl Edwards (Playoff race of 2010), Kevin Harvick (Spring race of 2015), Chase Elliott (Playoff race of 2020), Kyle Larson (Playoff race of 2021) and Joey Logano (Playoff race of 2022).A total of 11 of the 54 (20.37%) NASCAR Cup Series races at Phoenix Raceway have been won from the front row: eight from the first starting position and three from second starting position.The first and third starting positions are tied for the most proficient starting position in the field producing more winners (eight each) than any other starting positions — the most recent was William Byron‘s win earlier this season from the third starting position.Ricky Rudd won the 1995 Phoenix Raceway race from the 29th-place starting position, the furthest in the field a NASCAR Cup Series race winner has started at the one-mile raceway.Ryan Newman won the 2017 Phoenix Raceway race from the 22nd starting position, the furthest back an active NASCAR Cup Series race winner has started at the one-mile track.
NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Phoenix Raceway
Starting PositionWinsWinning %Starting PositionWinsWinning %1814.81%1359.26%235.56%1423.70%3814.81%1535.56%423.70%1711.85%511.85%1811.85%647.41%1923.70%723.70%2011.85%923.70%2111.85%1023.70%2211.85%1123.70%2811.85%1211.85%2911.85%StatsWinning %WinsWinning from the Pole:14.81%8Winning from the Front Row:20.37%11Winning from a Top-Five Starting Position:40.74%22Winning from a Top-10 Starting Position:59.26%32Winning After Starting Outside the Top 20:7.41%4Youngest NASCAR Cup Series Phoenix winner: Kyle Busch (November 13, 2005 — 20 years, 6 months, 11 days).Oldest NASCAR Cup Series Phoenix winner: Mark Martin (April 18, 2009 — 50 years, 3 months, 9 days).A total of 27 of the 29 NASCAR Cup Series drivers who have won at Phoenix Raceway participated in at least two or more races before visiting Victory Lane. NASCAR Hall of Famers Alan Kulwicki (11/6/1988) and Tony Stewart (11/7/1999) are the only two drivers to win at Phoenix Raceway in their first appearance.In total 13 different organizations have won at Phoenix Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series, led by Hendrick Motorsports with 13 victories.RankOrganizationsWinsSeasons1Hendrick Motorsports132023, ’21, ’20, ’15, ’11, ’09 sweep, ’08 sweep, ’07 sweep, ’05, ’942Stewart-Haas Racing72022, ’18, ’16, ’15, ’14 sweep, ’103Joe Gibbs Racing72021, ’19 sweep, ’18, ’17, 12, 994RFK Racing72013, ’10, ’05, ’02, ’01, ’00, ’935Richard Childress Racing62017, ’13, ’12, ’06 sweep, ’906Team Penske42022, ’20, ’16, ’987Robert Yates Racing31997, ’92, ’918Dale Earnhardt, Inc.22004, ’039Red Bull Racing1201110Petty Enterprises1199611Rudd Performance Motorsports1199512Melling Racing1198913AK Racing11988Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Phoenix Raceway with 13 victories among nine drivers: Terry Labonte (1994), Kyle Busch (2005), Jeff Gordon (2007, 2011), Jimmie Johnson (2007, 2008 sweep, 2009), Mark Martin (2009), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2015), Chase Elliott (2020), Kyle Larson (2021) and William Byron (2023).In total four different manufacturers have won at Phoenix Raceway in the NASCAR Cup Series, led by Chevrolet with 26 victories and followed by Ford (19), Toyota (7) and Pontiac (2).
LAP LEADERS
In total 97 different drivers have led at least one lap in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway.Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at Phoenix with 1,699 laps led in 41 starts.
Top 10 Lap Leaders at Phoenix Raceway in NASCAR Cup Series (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversLedCompleted% LedRankActive DriversLedCompleted% Led1Kevin Harvick1,69912,78313.3%1Kevin Harvick1,69912,78313.3%2Kyle Busch1,19011,03810.8%2Kyle Busch1,19011,03810.8%3Jimmie Johnson99810,6199.4%3Joey Logano9088,72010.4%4Mark Martin91110,4778.7%4Denny Hamlin85411,1787.6%5Joey Logano9088,72010.4%5Chase Elliott5464,23512.9%6Rusty Wallace8675,40616.0%6Ryan Blaney4294,3779.8%7Denny Hamlin85411,1787.6%7Kyle Larson3825,2647.3%8Kurt Busch81812,0946.8%8Brad Keselowski2848,3653.4%9Dale Earnhardt Jr5698,7346.5%9Martin Truex Jr25910,1052.6%10Tony Stewart5558,6906.4%10Ryan Newman24210,9242.2%The most laps led by the race winner in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway was 264 of the scheduled 312 laps (84.6%) by Kevin Harvick on November 9, 2014 — he started from the third position.The most laps led by a driver that did not win in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway was 237 of the scheduled 312 laps (74.3%) by Kyle Busch on November 11, 2012 — he started from the pole but finished third.The fewest laps led by the race winner in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway was four of the scheduled 378 laps (1.05%) by Ryan Newman on April 10, 2010 — he started from the 14th position.
ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS
Runner-Up Finishes:
A total of 32 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have finished runner-up at Phoenix Raceway.NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin leads the NASCAR Cup Series in runner-up finishes at Phoenix Raceway with five second-place finishes.Kyle Busch leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in runner-up finishes at Phoenix with four second-place finishes.
Top Five in Runner-Up Finishes at Phoenix Raceway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-time DriversRunner-UpsRankActive DriversRunner-Ups1Mark Martin51Kyle Busch42Kyle Busch42Kevin Harvick33Jimmie Johnson33Brad Keselowski2Kevin Harvick3Martin Truex Jr2Tony Stewart3Ryan Blaney2Ryan Newman2
Top-Five Finishes:
A total of 55 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have finished inside the top-five at Phoenix.Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-five finishes at Phoenix Raceway with 20 top fives.
Top Five in Top-Five Finishes at Phoenix Raceway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-time DriversTop FivesRankActive DriversTop Fives1Kevin Harvick201Kevin Harvick202Denny Hamlin162Denny Hamlin16Jimmie Johnson163Kyle Busch124Jeff Gordon124Ryan Newman10Kyle Busch125Brad Keselowski8Mark Martin12 Joey Logano8
Top-10 Finishes:
A total of 92 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have finished inside the top-10 at Phoenix Raceway.Kevin Harvick leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-10 finishes at Phoenix Raceway with 28 top 10s.
Top Five in Top-10 Finishes at Phoenix Raceway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-time DriversTop 10sRankActive DriversTop 10s1Kevin Harvick301Kevin Harvick302Kyle Busch262Kyle Busch263Jeff Gordon243Denny Hamlin214Jimmie Johnson224Joey Logano165Denny Hamlin215Martin Truex Jr14Kurt Busch21 Mark Martin21
Average Finish:
Alan Kulwicki (five starts) leads the series in average finishing position at Phoenix Raceway with a 5.200.Kevin Harvick (41 starts) leads all active drivers in average finishing position at Phoenix Raceway with a 8.561.
Top 10 in Average Finishing Position at Phoenix Raceway (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-time DriversAvg FinishRacesRankActive DriversAvg FinishRaces1Alan Kulwicki5.20051Kevin Harvick8.561412Kevin Harvick8.561412Kyle Busch10.556363Dale Earnhardt9.538133Denny Hamlin10.889364Mark Martin9.588344Kyle Larson11.722185Jimmie Johnson10.229355William Byron11.909116Kyle Busch10.556366Chase Elliott11.929147Jeff Gordon10.765347Ryan Blaney11.933158Denny Hamlin10.889368Joey Logano12.621299Davey Allison11.00059Chase Briscoe13.800510Kyle Larson11.7221810Brad Keselowski13.89328
TRACK / EVENT STATS
Since the advent of electronic scoring (1993), the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway is the Spring race of 2016 (March 13, 2016) when Kevin Harvick beat Carl Edwards to the line by 0.010 seconds — which is tied with Atlanta (3/12/2000), Daytona (2/21/2016), and Rockingham (2/22/2004) for the eighth closest finish in series history.
Top Five Closest Margins of Victory at Phoenix Raceway
Margin of VictoryRace WinnerRunner-UpDate0.010Kevin HarvickCarl EdwardsSunday, March 13, 20160.130Ryan NewmanJeff GordonSaturday, April 10, 20100.170Mark MartinErnie IrvanSunday, October 31, 19930.250Kevin HarvickJimmie JohnsonSunday, November 12, 20060.276Joey LoganoKevin HarvickSunday, March 8, 2020Qualifying has never been cancelled due to weather at Phoenix Raceway. But it has been cancelled twice due to the pandemic (2020 season finale and 2021 spring race)10 of the 54 races at Phoenix Raceway have ended with NASCAR Overtime (18%):DateScheduledActual OvertimeWinnerRunner-UpSunday, March 12, 20233123175William ByronRyan BlaneySunday, March 8, 20203123164Joey LoganoKevin HarvickSunday, March 19, 20173123142Ryan NewmanKyle LarsonSunday, November 13, 201631232412Joey LoganoKyle BuschSunday, March 13, 20163123131Kevin HarvickCarl EdwardsSunday, March 3, 20133123164Carl EdwardsJimmie JohnsonSunday, November 11, 20123123197Kevin HarvickDenny HamlinSaturday, April 10, 20103753783Ryan NewmanJeff GordonSunday, November 9, 20083123131Jimmie JohnsonKurt BuschSunday, November 7, 20043123153Dale Earnhardt JrRyan NewmanOnly two of the 53 NASCAR Cup Series races at Phoenix Raceway have been shortened due to weather:DateScheduledActual FewerWinnerRunner-UpSunday, November 15, 2015312219-93Dale Earnhardt JrKevin HarvickSunday, October 25, 1998312257-55Rusty WallaceMark Martin
FEMALE COMPETITORS
Danica Patrick is the only female driver in the NASCAR Cup Series to compete at Phoenix Raceway. She made 11 starts at Phoenix Raceway in her career.DateDriverStarting PositionFinishing PositionDriver RatingSunday, November 12, 2017Danica Patrick242548.2Monday, March 13, 2017Danica Patrick262252.8Sunday, November 13, 2016Danica Patrick162948.9Sunday, March 13, 2016Danica Patrick361960.3Sunday, November 15, 2015Danica Patrick211666.4Sunday, March 15, 2015Danica Patrick232659.6Sunday, November 9, 2014Danica Patrick322260.5Sunday, March 2, 2014Danica Patrick333651.7Sunday, November 10, 2013Danica Patrick323333.2Sunday, March 3, 2013Danica Patrick403944.2Sunday, November 11, 2012Danica Patrick371758.0AVERAGES29.125.853.1
NASCAR IN ARIZONA
There have been 137 NASCAR national series races among four tracks in the state of Arizona.The first NASCAR Cup Series race held in the state of Arizona was on April 22, 1951 and the event had 33 competitors and was won by Marshall Teague driving a 1951 Hudson.
NASCAR National Series Tracks in Arizona
NASCAR Tracks In ArizonaCityCupXfinityTruckCombinedFirst YearPhoenix RacewayAvondale5443321291988Arizona State FairgroundsPhoenix40041951Tucson Raceway ParkTucson00331995Tucson Rodeo GroundsTucson10011955Totals594335137
ARIZONA IN NASCAR
A total of 33 different drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Arizona.Of the 33 Arizona drivers, only two have won NASCAR national series races.Michael McDowell, from Phoenix, won the 2021 Daytona 500 — his first win in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Race Winners from Arizona
Winners From ArizonaCupXfinityTruckCombinedAlex Bowman7108Michael McDowell2103Totals92011
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