The Finale in Phoenix 🏁

11/03/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Decide Champion Sunday at Phoenix Raceway

After 36 races, it all comes down to this. We don’t always give enough love to the racing fans in our audience, but this Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series stop at Phoenix Raceway is for all the marbles. Ryan Blaney has won two of the last five races to put himself in prime position entering the Championship 4 showdown. Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, and William Byron round out the challengers.

The Championship 4: Sunday’s final race of the year will be unique, to say the least. All 36 drivers will still compete at Phoenix, but only the four drivers who are eligible — based on points, wins and playoff standings — can be named the NASCAR Cup Series champion. They don’t have to win the race, just cross the finish line ahead of the other three drivers after 312 laps.

Championship 4 Standings

1. Ryan Blaney (Team Penske)

2. Christopher Bell (Joe Gibbs Racing)

3. Kyle Larson (Hendricks Motorsports)

4. William Byron (Hendricks Motorsports)

Driver Comparison

R. Blaney | Wins: 3 | Top-10s: 17 | Laps Led: 560

C. Bell | Wins: 2 | Top-10s: 19 | Laps Led: 599

K. Larson | Wins: 4 | Top-10s: 17 | Laps Led: 1127

W. Byron | Wins: 6 | Top-10s: 20 | Laps Led: 921

It’s a shootout in the desert to be crowned the king of NASCAR!

NASCAR Cup Series Finale

Championship 4: Phoenix Raceway (Sun. 3:00 pm ET, NBC)

AutoWeek: NASCAR Championship 4 Format Still a Tough Pill to Swallow for Many

Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images