Chevrolet driver William Byron (24) leads the pack across the start/finish line at Phoenix Raceway Sunday in Avondale. (Photo by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)
AVONDALE – Traffic was backed up for over an hour on the Avondale Boulevard Bridge en route to Phoenix Raceway for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Championship to conclude the 2023 season.
In the end, Ryan Blaney beat the odds to walk away with his first Cup Championship, beating out William Byron, Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell, in the season-long chase for the championship.
Off the track, all the stars and bells and whistles were out, featuring WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Garcia (Nikki Bella), Bubba Wallace in full Star Wars attire and even a Stormtrooper.
Left: Toyota driver Bubba Wallace (23) walks across the stage during driver introductions to a plethora of boo’s at Phoenix Raceway Sunday in Avondale. Center: Arizona-native and former WWE superstar Nikki Garcia, fka Nikki Bella, introduces the Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway Sunday in Avondale. Right: A stormtrooper stands in front of Bubba Wallace’s Star Wars-themed car at Phoenix Raceway Sunday in Avondale. (Photos by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)
The PA announcer’s signature command, “Gentlemen, start your engines,” erupted the electric crowd of more than 60,000 fans.
NASCAR fans cheer as jets fly over Phoenix Raceway Sunday in Avondale. (Photo by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)
And the cars were off. The “Championship 4” of Byron, Bell, Larson and Blaney were followed by NASCAR’s best 32 drivers.
NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick led the way early in his last full-time race at Phoenix Raceway, where he holds the all-time record for wins with nine. Harvick eventually finished seventh on the day.
Phoenix Raceway all-time wins leader Kevin Harvick (4) speeds past Turn 2 at Phoenix Raceway Sunday in Avondale. (Photo by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)
The race was tight as the cars sped around the turns and left burnt rubber on the ground.
Left: Ford driver Ryan Newman (51) crosses the start/finish line at Phoenix Raceway Sunday in Avondale. Center: Toyota driver Bubba Wallace (23) crosses the start/finish line at Phoenix Raceway Sunday in Avondale. Right: Chevrolet driver Ryan Blaney (12) crosses the start/finish line at Phoenix Raceway Sunday in Avondale. (Photos by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)
Eventually, the inevitable time came for pit stops and the crews jumped into action. With lightning-quick speed, the cars were in and out of the pit lane within seconds.
Left: A member of Joey Logano’s pit crew looks at the leaderboard at Phoenix Raceway Sunday in Avondale. Center: Members of William Byron’s pit crew shout for Byron to continue driving after his pit stop at Phoenix Raceway Sunday in Avondale. Right: Todd Gilliland’s pit crew makes a four-tire change in pit road at Phoenix Raceway Sunday in Avondale. (Photos by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)
Ross Chastain showed dominance throughout the race leading 157 laps on the day. Blaney was behind Chastain and battled for first place, but Chastain eventually secured the lead with 57 points.
Chevrolet driver Ross Chastain (1) approaches Turn 1 at Phoenix Raceway Sunday in Avondale. (Photo by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)
Chastain may have got the victory on the day, but Blaney walked away with the ultimate prize, his first Cup Series Championship and a second in a row for Team Penske after Joey Logano’s win last season.
Chevrolet driver Ryan Blaney (12) waves a flag in celebration of his Cup Series Championship win at Phoenix Raceway Sunday in Avondale.
NASCAR President Steve Phelps (left) and Chevrolet driver Ryan Blaney (right) hold up the Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway Sunday in Avondale. (Photos by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)
Left: Chevrolet driver Ryan Blaney (12) waves a flag in celebration of his Cup Series Championship win at Phoenix Raceway Sunday in Avondale. Right: NASCAR President Steve Phelps (left) and Chevrolet driver Ryan Blaney (right) hold up the Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway Sunday in Avondale. (Photos by Reece Andrews/Cronkite News)
Larson and Byron tailed behind at third and fourth respectively, and Bell did not finish due to a right-front brake rotor failure on lap 109.
Reece Andrews expects to graduate in May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in sports journalism. Andrews has worked for the State Press and at WCSN. He has also been in Cronkite News Los Angeles.