NASCAR Championship Weekend returns to Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, when 4 of the world’s biggest inventory automobile drivers will compete for the coveted Invoice France Cup and the honors of etching their identify in historical past because the 2024 Cup Sequence champion.
Acquainted faces and high-profile names make up the quartet of title contenders looking for supremacy within the desert, all of whom have solid their distinctive and deserving path to the marquee occasion.
Over the course of the previous 9 weeks, moments of thrills and controversy have been iconized, resulting in an unsuspecting forged of characters within the finale.
Workforce Penske headlines the group, following bookended wins within the Spherical of 8 by Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney, reverse first-time title contenders Tyler Reddick and William Byron, again for a second straight shot at a NASCAR Cup Sequence championship.
Logano acquired the occasion began for Workforce Penske, technically two years in the past, when he began a present stretch of back-to-back titles for the celebrated group, but additionally within the 2024 playoffs. The 2-time champion not solely received the opening race of the postseason however grew to become the primary driver to lock into the Championship 4 together with his victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway — similar to when he received all of it in 2022.
Sadly, Logano’s alternative to convey Roger Penske a 3rd consecutive championship got here on the expense of Tucson-born racer Alex Bowman, who was disqualified from the Spherical of 12 elimination race, permitting the No. 22 staff to advance. Though criticized for qualifying for the title combat with a comparatively lackluster season résumé, the 34-year-old Logano continues to indicate that if you happen to give him an opportunity, he’s going to take benefit.
“Anytime you may get locked in early and begin fascinated about the championship race earlier than everyone else … . It is a little bit bit extra relaxed if you get to Phoenix,” Logano mentioned. “You are not wired the entire week main into it, on prime of all the opposite media stuff you must do.
“It simply turns into a extremely busy week, so you may get forward on a lot. It actually can really feel much more like only a race and that you simply’re truly ready for, and you’ve got that benefit over the remainder of the blokes.”
Very like how his teammate was in a position to stay opportunistic and replicate prior success, reigning champion Blaney made a press release with one other walk-off victory within the semifinal race at Martinsville (Virginia) Speedway. The third-generation driver mounted a late rally, surging by former champions Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott for his third win of the season, successfully knocking each drivers out of competition, together with Denny Hamlin.
Just like final yr, Blaney didn’t have probably the most constant or flashy common season. Nevertheless, he and the No. 12 staff turned it up when it mattered most, within the playoffs. What makes the 30-year-old’s efficiency much more spectacular, is the very fact he executed in a must-win state of affairs and was in a position to overcome an agonizing runner-up consequence the weekend prior.
“It’s good to have two Penske automobiles in,” Blaney mentioned. “It’s good to affix (Logano) and have an honest shot to convey Roger one other title — a 3rd title in a row. These guys are one of the best at what they do and it’s been a lot enjoyable to get to run with them and share wins and championships. It’s tremendous robust proper now in our group and hopefully it carries over.”
Mired in controversy, Byron claimed the ultimate spot within the Phoenix finale as a consequence of a security violation on the ultimate lap of the race at Martinsville by Christopher Bell. On the ultimate nook of the semifinal occasion, Bell hammered the throttle and rode alongside the wall to realize a place, in a transfer that was outlawed by NASCAR following Ross Chastain’s “Hail Melon” on the identical monitor in 2022.
There have been additionally three different drivers with producer alliances to the 2 playoff contenders manipulating the end, however the choice by the No. 20 staff was the official figuring out issue.
At any fee, Byron would be the sole Hendrick Motorsports driver representing the winningest group within the sport’s historical past, as he makes his second Championship 4 look. Together with Bell, the driving force of the No. 24 was some of the profitable within the postseason, carrying six consecutive finishes of sixth or higher into Phoenix — a spot at which he received final spring and completed fourth within the finale.
“I’ve by no means been part of something like this, so I don’t actually know methods to really feel,” Byron mentioned. “I hate it for everybody concerned, however I’m comfortable for this No. 24 staff. I’m excited to go to Phoenix. We’ve been up and down. Not pretty much as good a yr as final yr, however nonetheless find yourself in the identical spot — with an opportunity to race for the championship. I discovered a ton from final yr, so I’m excited to go race there.”
Lastly, there’s Reddick, who serves as the largest shock and unknown, making his first title bid. Make no mistake, the driving force for 23XI Racing has developed a severe status for delivering in big-time moments, like his staff proprietor Michael Jordan, so he can’t be counted out.
First, Reddick received the regular-season title by one level, overcoming a abdomen bug to take action. Then, he and the No. 45 staff pieced collectively a miraculous comeback from an early wreck within the Spherical of 12 elimination race to advance on factors. Most lately, the two-time NASCAR Xfinity Sequence Champion ripped the excessive line (and the win) away from Blaney within the last nook at Homestead-Miami (Florida) Speedway to safe his spot in Phoenix.
“It feels good, however the job’s not achieved,” Reddick mentioned. “We’ve acquired work forward of us, however that’s what we stay for. We stay for these moments, and I’m excited for per week of preparation, getting on the market early, getting settled in and able to go.”
Grandstand seating is bought out, however restricted tickets can be found for Sunday’s Cup Sequence finale, the place Blaney, Byron, Logano or Reddick will likely be topped champion. There’s additionally nonetheless time to lock down seats for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Sequence championship on Friday, in addition to the Xfinity Sequence title race on Saturday.
