Joe Gibbs Racing at Phoenix has built a remarkable legacy, with the team claiming nine NASCAR Cup Series wins at the storied one-mile Phoenix Raceway. Throughout 167 Cup starts at the Arizona venue, JGR’s drivers have earned 48 top-five results, 87 finishes among the top 10, nine poles, and led more than 3,300 laps. Notable champions like Christopher Bell, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart, and Martin Truex Jr. have all celebrated victories at Phoenix for the organization, underscoring its reputation as a dominant force at this track.
Denny Hamlin Eyes Another Win with Bob’s Discount Furniture Toyota
Denny Hamlin heads into Phoenix as one of JGR’s most decorated Cup Series drivers at the track, having notched two Phoenix wins, first triumphing in March 2012 and then again in November 2019. Over 41 starts at the tri-oval, Hamlin boasts 17 top-five finishes, 24 top-10s, four pole awards, and has been out front for 1,147 laps. During last spring’s race at Phoenix, Hamlin secured a strong second-place finish after battling fellow JGR driver Christopher Bell on an overtime restart, and in the fall event, he started from the pole, led more than 200 laps, and wound up sixth after another competitive outing.
Hamlin’s prowess during Phoenix qualifying is well established; he earned his first-ever career Cup Series pole at the track in November 2005 and now counts four poles at Phoenix, two of which have been achieved during the Next Gen era. He has claimed a top-10 start in 15 out of the last 17 races at the circuit, maintaining a consistently high level of performance. Last weekend at Circuit of the Americas, Hamlin capped off his race in 10th place after a strategic call to stay out during a late caution propelled him back into the top 10 for the conclusion of the event.
At the heart of Hamlin’s team is crew chief Chris Gayle, whose Phoenix resume includes three top-five Cup Series finishes, seven top-10s, one pole, and 279 laps led over 14 race starts. Gayle previously had an impressive run in the O’Reilly Series at Phoenix, his teams tallying four wins and multiple podiums, proving his adaptability and skill at the track. Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE will carry the red and white colors of Bob’s Discount Furniture this weekend and at other races this season, including Martinsville Speedway, Naval Base Coronado, and Richmond Raceway. Bob’s, one of the fastest-growing furniture retailers in the United States with over 200 stores in 26 states, is set for a high-visibility weekend with Hamlin.
Fans eager to connect with Hamlin can attend the Bob’s Discount Furniture Block Party in Glendale, Arizona, on Saturday, March 7. Hamlin will sign autographs for the first 130 fans with wristbands, and his No. 11 race car will be on-site as part of a family-friendly community event featuring giveaways and activities. This appearance offers a unique opportunity for local supporters to meet one of NASCAR’s premier drivers.
Chase Briscoe Returns to the Site of His Breakout Victory
Chase Briscoe is set to compete at Phoenix in the No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry XSE, revisiting the track where he notched his first Cup Series win in 2022 by leading 101 laps in just his 40th Cup start. In 10 Phoenix races, Briscoe has secured four top-10 results. Last fall’s championship contest proved challenging, as he struggled with tire issues and finished 18th.
During last weekend’s race at Circuit of the Americas, Briscoe demonstrated his qualifying speed by starting third and then leading the opening eight laps. Despite running much of the event inside the top five, a mechanical setback dashed his podium hopes, ultimately relegating his team to a 37th-place finish. Looking ahead, Briscoe will meet fans at the Bass Pro Shops in Glendale on Friday, March 6, distributing 150 wristbands on a first-come, first-served basis. This gives fans a chance to get up close with the driver and his team before the competitive weekend.
The No. 19 team’s fortunes are guided by crew chief James Small, now in his seventh year leading the squad. Small, a respected strategist who previously worked with Martin Truex Jr. before teaming up with Briscoe, has amassed 11 Cup wins, 61 top-five spots, and an impressive 13 pole awards in his Cup career. Bass Pro Shops, under the stewardship of Johnny Morris, continues as a principal sponsor, focused on outdoor and conservation leadership, and was recognized by Newsweek as
America’s Most Trusted Retailer for Outdoor Gear
. The partnership emphasizes both performance and a commitment to family outdoor activities nationwide.
Christopher Bell Pursues a Third Straight Spring Phoenix Win
Entering the Phoenix weekend with confidence, Christopher Bell and the No. 20 Reser’s Fine Foods Toyota Camry XSE look to extend their streak to three consecutive spring race wins at the Arizona track. Bell triumphed in 2024 by winning the second stage and pulling away decisively for a 5.465-second margin of victory. In the previous spring race, he led 105 laps, holding off teammate Denny Hamlin in a high-pressure overtime restart to secure the win.
Bell’s overall Phoenix record includes two Cup wins (March 2024 and 2025) and a victory in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2018. Consistency has been a hallmark of his Phoenix appearances, with eight of his last ten starts resulting in 11th place or better, and three top-five results over his last four races at the circuit. Bell heads into the weekend riding momentum from a third-place finish at Circuit of the Americas, where smart pit strategy and car speed earned him another top-five on a demanding road course.
Adam Stevens, Bell’s crew chief, has built an enviable record at Phoenix. Along with Bell’s recent wins, Stevens led Kyle Busch to victory there in November 2018 and March 2019. Altogether, Stevens’ teams have achieved four Cup wins, 12 top-five results, 17 top-10s, a pole, and nearly a thousand laps led at Phoenix. Prior to his Cup tenure, Stevens also found success with four O’Reilly Series wins at the track. For this weekend, Bell’s Toyota showcases Reser’s Fine Foods, a longstanding family-owned company recognized for quality deli salads, sides, and prepared foods. Reser’s has been a NASCAR supporter for decades and maintains a broad community presence with over 5,000 employees across North America.
Ty Gibbs Seeks to Continue Building His Phoenix Reputation
Ty Gibbs, piloting the No. 54 ampm Toyota Camry XSE, has made six Cup starts at Phoenix, with a personal best finish of third in March 2024. He has demonstrated qualifying speed as well, earning a front-row starting position in that same event and repeating a top-10 start the following fall. Gibbs’ Phoenix achievements extend to the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, where he counts a race win among three top-six finishes, as well as a victory in the ARCA Menards Series West race at Phoenix in 2021.
The Arizona oval also holds special meaning for Ty Gibbs, as it was the site of his O’Reilly Series championship clinch in November 2022. On that memorable night, Gibbs dominated by starting from the pole, leading 125 laps, and sweeping both stages on his way to the title. His momentum continued at last week’s Circuit of the Americas event, delivering his season’s strongest performance, finishing fourth, leading five laps, and capturing a stage win after starting in the top 10 and advancing throughout the day.
Gibbs’ team benefits from the guidance of crew chief Tyler Allen, now in his second season leading the No. 54 Cup squad. Last year, Allen helped orchestrate five top-five and ten top-10 Cup finishes, with over 300 laps led. Allen’s impact in 2024 has also been evident in the O’Reilly Series, securing eight wins and a runner-up championship finish with JGR’s No. 20 team. This weekend, Gibbs’ Camry will be sponsored by ampm, a popular West Coast-based convenience store chain that operates over 1,000 stores, and has established a reputation for innovation and variety in the retail sector.
Fans will have the opportunity to meet Ty Gibbs on Friday, March 6, at 2 p.m. at the ampm store on North 43rd Avenue in Phoenix, reinforcing the driver’s connection to his supporters amid another promising season.
What’s on the Line for Joe Gibbs Racing at Phoenix
With all four JGR Cup teams featuring talented drivers, experienced crew chiefs, and strong partnerships with leading sponsors, the organization is poised for another high-impact weekend at Phoenix. Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, and Ty Gibbs each bring a mix of recent momentum and historical success at the one-mile oval, giving Joe Gibbs Racing at Phoenix a prime chance to further their winning tradition. The outcomes at Phoenix will have implications for points standings, driver confidence, and sponsor engagement as the season continues. Fans and stakeholders alike will watch closely to see if JGR can once again reach victory lane and solidify its status among NASCAR’s elite organizations.
