The Phoenix NASCAR Cup Series practice ahead of the championship finale at Phoenix Raceway saw a string of disruptions as drivers encountered multiple flat tires, on-track incidents, and technical challenges in Arizona. The one-mile oval bore witness to intense moments as teams and drivers, including championship contenders, grappled with unexpected issues mere hours before Sunday’s crucial race.
Series of Flat Tires Affects Drivers Early in Session
All Cup Series teams participated in a combined fifty-minute practice session, each with three sets of tires allotted for this key track run. Merely minutes after practice began, the session was upended when both Chase Briscoe and AJ Allmendinger suffered sudden flat tires, forcing them to stop on the apron. Christopher Bell, representing Joe Gibbs Racing, soon joined the list of victims with another flat, immediately followed by Daniel Suarez facing a similar fate. These incidents unfolded while nearly forty-two minutes remained, setting an uneasy tone for the remainder of the session.
Wall Contact and Recurring Problems Raise the Stakes
As the clock ticked down to thirty-four minutes, AJ Allmendinger encountered more trouble, this time making contact with the wall due to a right front tire issue. Several laps later, Chase Elliott noticeably slowed on track, believed to be handling a potential tire-related problem himself. Kyle Larson then brushed the wall without sustaining visible damage, keeping his session alive but adding to the mounting tension on pit road.
Chase Briscoe spent limited time on track, totaling only fifteen laps after his earlier flat tire. Upon returning to the action, he reported “multiple issues with blinking lights” over the radio, raising concern within his team. The problems persisted for Briscoe, culminating in reports of vibration with just nine minutes to go, sending him back to the garage for further inspection.
Further Incidents Impact Key Drivers
The wave of troubles continued when Kyle Busch’s day was interrupted by a flat left rear tire, halting his run on the apron with a quarter of the session still remaining. Daniel Suarez, already plagued by tire failures, experienced yet another flat left rear with only three minutes left in practice. Drivers like Michael McDowell and Christopher Bell also faced tire risks during the session, highlighting the challenges posed by the track and rubber allocation.
Fastest Lap and Practice Results
Despite the sequence of incidents, Ty Gibbs emerged with the fastest lap of the practice, registering a 27.300-second time, averaging 131.868 mph. Ryan Blaney followed just behind, along with Austin Cindric, Ryan Preece, and Denny Hamlin rounding out the top five. Notable championship contenders such as William Byron and Kyle Larson finished in strong positions, while others like Chase Briscoe and Denny Hamlin appeared consistently in the upper third of the sheet.
Here are the top 10 practice results:
1. Ty Gibbs – 27.300
2. Ryan Blaney – 27.396
3. Austin Cindric – 27.402
4. Ryan Preece – 27.407
5. Denny Hamlin – 27.426
6. Chase Elliott – 27.450
7. Ross Chastain – 27.452
8. Josh Berry – 27.459
9. William Byron – 27.460
10. Christopher Bell – 27.487
Who Will Compete for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship
The drivers who have secured their places to fight for the championship title on Sunday at Phoenix Raceway are William Byron, Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Larson. Their performance during this trying practice session adds another layer of anticipation as the field prepares for one of the most important events of the NASCAR season.
Implications for Sunday’s Championship Race
This practice session at Phoenix Raceway highlighted both the unpredictable nature of motorsports and the resilience required from teams and drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series. The challenges faced, from flat tires to unexpected mechanical issues, may force adjustments in race strategy and tire management ahead of the finale. With top contenders like Ty Gibbs, Ryan Blaney, William Byron, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Larson showing pace amidst adversity, the stage is set for a competitive and high-stakes championship showdown in Arizona.
