We head out west for the first time this season, and also attend our first short track of the year. We’ve been going really fast, turning left and right, but let’s just slow things down a little bit, and enjoy some warm weather. Cacti and cars, we’re in Phoenix!
Here’s what to look for:
–William Byron ripped a nasty lap and will start this thing from the Pole. Over the last ten races, he’s earned the second most points, and has 7 Top 10s. Pretty good numbers!
–Christopher Bell has been totally crushing it in the Cup Series lately, winning each of the last two very different races. Would you believe he also won this race last year, too? It’s true! What can Bell do today?
–Joey Logano won this race in the Fall to secure the 2024 Championship, and he’ll be starting on the front row today alongside Byron. Can he get around him and knock down another Win today?
–Ryan Blaney, Logano’s teammate, came up just shy last year in a bid to defend his championship. He doesn’t have the best starting spot in the field today, but he certainly knows how to lead a lap here. (9 Top 10s over the last ten races!)
–Chris Buescher, another Ford, has been running pretty well this season, and he comes to a track that he’s had decent success at in the #17 car. His last three finishes have been 9th or better, what can Buescher do today? He rolls off 13th.
–Katherine Legge makes her first career Cup start today, the first by any woman since 2018, one day after International Women’s Day! She’ll be piloting the #78 car and starting from the back alongside plenty of big time drivers. Here’s to hoping she can gain a foothold and we see more of her soon!
Coverage of the race starts on FS1 at 3:30pm, green flag scheduled for 3:47pm
Roc Sports NOW 