The NASCAR Phoenix Raceway Qualifying events have kicked off at Phoenix Raceway, Arizona, marking the high-stakes championship weekend for the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, Truck Series, and ARCA Menards Series. Top drivers like Michael McDowell, Bubba Wallace, Ben Rhodes, and others are preparing to compete for prime pole positions, shaping who could lead the main races.
Overview of Phoenix Raceway Qualifying Activities
Championship weekend at Phoenix Raceway attracts drivers from around the nation, all aiming for standout performances in the qualifying rounds. This 1-mile track is hosting qualifying sessions for the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, Truck Series, and ARCA Menards Series, each with its own slate of talented racers vying for early momentum on race day. The Phoenix TV schedule is packed, drawing attention from both fans and racing insiders as key figures like Ryan Ellis, Connor Zilisch, and Chase Elliott join the competition.
NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying Lineup
The Cup Series qualifying order sets the tone for the entire weekend, putting a spotlight on drivers with strong metric scores determined by recent performance and practice times. JJ Yeley led the pack with a metric score of 41.300, ahead of Riley Herbst and Casey Mears. Erik Jones, Noah Gragson, and Michael McDowell are also among those with standout positions, each aiming to convert a strong qualifying run into championship success. Notable racers such as Bubba Wallace, Ryan Blaney, William Byron, and Kyle Larson are strategically placed in the two groupings, intensifying the competition as they challenge each other for the best grid spot.
Xfinity Series Qualifying Highlights
As attention shifts to the Xfinity Series, Dawson Cram and Glen Reen start at the top of the order, posting impressive metric scores. Stefan Parsons and Leland Honeyman follow, while drivers like Jeremy Clements, Daniel Dye, Frankie Muniz, and Justin Allgaier are set to make their mark. The field is diverse, with names such as Nick Sanchez, Kyle Sieg, Corey Day, and William Sawalich looking to gain an early advantage that could carry into the championship race.
Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series Spotlight
In the Truck Series, Greg Van Alst holds the leading position in qualifying, narrowly ahead of Caleb Costner and Cole Butcher. Competitors like Clayton Green, Mason Maggio, and Tyler Reif are also pushing for recognition, with past performers like Matt Crafton and Toni Breidinger not far behind. The ARCA Menards Series entry list is equally competitive, with cars driven by up-and-comers such as Robbie Kennealy, Isabella Robusto, Brent Crews, and Kaylee Bryson ready to demonstrate their skills on the championship stage at Phoenix Raceway.
Full List of Qualifying Orders by Series
NASCAR Cup Series (Top 10):
1. JJ Yeley
2. Riley Herbst
3. Casey Mears
4. Cody Ware
5. Erik Jones
6. Noah Gragson
7. Carson Hocevar
8. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
9. Ty Dillon
10. AJ Allmendinger
Additional Noteworthy Cup Series Qualifiers: Michael McDowell, Justin Haley, John Hunter Nemechek, Cole Custer, Brad Keselowski, Alex Bowman, Kyle Busch, Austin Dillon, Bubba Wallace, Todd Gilliland, Ty Gibbs, Shane van Gisbergen, Josh Berry, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Preece, Joey Logano, Christopher Bell, Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, William Byron.
Xfinity Series Top Qualifiers: Dawson Cram, Glen Reen, Stefan Parsons, Leland Honeyman, Joey Gase, Garrett Smithley, Brennan Poole, Patrick Emerling, Brenden Queen, Jeremy Clements. Mid-field and back-of-the-pack talent include Daniel Dye, Parker Retzlaff, Connor Mosack, Ryan Ellis, Christian Eckes, Nick Leitz, Anthony Alfredo, Josh Bilicki, Nick Sanchez, Kyle Sieg, Corey Day, William Sawalich, Harrison Burton, Dean Thompson, Jeb Burton, Ryan Sieg, Sheldon Creed, Brandon Jones, Sammy Smith, Taylor Gray, Justin Allgaier, Jesse Love, Carson Kvapil, Austin Hill, Connor Zilisch, Aric Almirola.
Truck Series Standouts: Greg Van Alst, Caleb Costner, Cole Butcher, Luke Baldwin, Clayton Green, Mason Maggio, Connor Mosack, Toni Breidinger, Matt Crafton, Nathan Byrd, Tyler Reif, Matt Mills, Rajah Caruth, Andres Perez, Frankie Muniz, Daniel Hemric, Spencer Boyd, Dawson Sutton, Bayley Currey, Jake Garcia, Jack Wood, Ben Rhodes, Giovanni Ruggiero, Grant Enfinger, Tanner Gray, Stefan Parsons, Brent Crews, Chandler Smith, Corey LaJoie, Tyler Ankrum, Ty Majeski, Layne Riggs, Kaden Honeycutt, Corey Heim.
ARCA Menards Series Notables: Robbie Kennealy, Isabella Robusto, Monty Tipton, Eric Johnson Jr, Gavin Ray, Jade Avedisian, Jake Finch, Kaylee Bryson, Brent Crews, Leland Honeyman, Connor Hall, Taylor Reimer, Carson Brown, Chase Howard, Thad Moffitt, Trevor Huddleston, Blake Lothian, Andrew Chapman, Shane Backes, Thomas Annunziata, Kyle Keller, Cody Dennison, Tristan McKee, Michael Maples, David Smith, Derek Kraus.
What This Means for Phoenix Raceway’s Championship Weekend
The qualifying results at Phoenix Raceway set the stage for a fiercely contested weekend, where lead qualifying positions can provide crucial early advantages in the pursuit of season titles. With the field stacked with experienced drivers like Erik Jones, Frankie Muniz, and up-and-coming talents such as Stefan Parsons and Kaylee Bryson, fans can expect intense on-track action and shifting race-day strategies. These qualifying outcomes will not only influence starting lineups but could also determine the fate of the championship for many high-profile competitors as the final events at Phoenix unfold.
