NASCAR Phoenix Sunday, March 1, 2026

PHOENIX

Last year in this race, Christopher Bell passed Denny Hamlin on the final lap for his 3rd straight win.  Bell won 3 of the first 4 races to start last season then went winless the next 24.  In the championship finale last year, Denny Hamlin was leading & three laps away from his first championship when the caution came out.  Kyle Larson went on to celebrate his 2nd title.  Ryan Blaney finally won at Phoenix for the first time after finishing runner-up in 4 of the previous 6 Phoenix races.

60th Phoenix NASCAR Cup Series race – First race: 1988 (38 Years ago)

Both Phoenix races settled by pass in final lap last year

Kevin Harvick: 9 Phoenix wins – Most all-time

Kevin Harvick: Last win with Childress – Phoenix 11/10/13 / First win with Stewart-Haas – Phoenix 3/2/14

Closest Phoenix finish: .010 Seconds (3/16) Kevin Harvick over Carl Edwards

Kyle Larson only driver to finish top 5 both Phoenix races last season – Finished 3rd & 3rd

Josh Berry, Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott & Denny Hamlin finished top 10 both Phoenix races last season

Denny Hamlin led 211 Phoenix laps last season – Most of all drivers

Christopher Bell only repeat winner last 6 Phoenix races (2 Wins) – 4 Others 1 win each

Last to win back-to-back Phoenix races: Kyle Busch 11/18 & 3/19 (Ryan Blaney won last Phoenix race)

William Byron Stage 1 winner both races in 2025 – Finished 6th & 33rd

Final lead change with 2 or fewer laps to go 3 of last 6 Phoenix races

2 of top 5 closest finishes in 2025 came at Phoenix

Most Phoenix caution laps: 73 (3/20 & 3/25)

First Phoenix win for 8 of last 11 Phoenix winners –

Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Larson, Chase Briscoe,

William Byron, Ross Chastain, Christopher Bell & Ryan Blaney

Hendrick Motorsports won 13 Phoenix races with 9 different drivers

3 Won first career race at Phoenix – Alan Kulwicki 1988, Bobby Hamilton 1996 & Chase Briscoe 3/22

2 Rookie of the Year contenders won Phoenix – Tony Stewart 1999 & Kyle Busch 11/05