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Logano Clinches Third NASCAR Cup Title in Thrilling Phoenix Finale
Joey Logano secured his place in NASCAR history by overcoming a fierce late challenge from his Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney to win the season finale at Phoenix, marking his third championship in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Blaney, the reigning champion, found himself 2.3 seconds behind Logano in the final laps after successfully maneuvering past Kyle Larson and William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports. Despite his efforts to close the gap, he could not catch Logano, who crossed the finish line first.
This victory solidifies Team Penske’s dominance in the NASCAR Cup, as they have now claimed all three championships since the introduction of the Gen-7 car in 2022.
“I love the playoffs,” Logano expressed with excitement. “What a race! It was a great Team Penske showdown at the end. A good restart allowed me to get ahead of the #12 [Blaney], and I had to give it my all to maintain that lead.”
Logano continued, reflecting on the significance of his win: “Achieving my third championship is incredibly special. Our team faced some challenges today, but we have the best crew around. I may not be the best driver, but my team is exceptional, and we know how to perform under pressure. We are mentally resilient and can deliver when it counts.”
Blaney finished a close second, just 0.33 seconds behind, with Byron rounding out the podium in third place. Tyler Reddick, the lowest finisher among the Championship 4 contenders, ended the race in sixth.
After the race, an exhausted Blaney shared his thoughts: “I really tried hard, but I just didn’t have enough time to catch up. The restart was tough, and once I fell behind, it was challenging to regain lost ground. Congratulations to Joey and the #22 team for a fantastic playoffs. If I had to race against someone, I’m glad it was him for the title. It’s great to finish one-two for Roger [Penske] and secure a third straight title for him and Ford.”
Key Moments in the Final Stage
In a race where stage points had no bearing on the outcome, Logano and Blaney’s earlier stage wins became irrelevant. The final stage saw Reddick attempt a bold maneuver at the restart, going four-wide in an effort to gain positions. His risky move succeeded, and despite some contact with Chris Buescher and Chase Elliott, all three drivers emerged unscathed.
As the race progressed, a long green-flag run led most leaders to make their pit stops with around 75 laps left. Byron cleverly waited until 10 laps later to pit, putting himself in the lead just as Zane Smith’s crash brought out a caution.
Despite being in front, Byron faced intense competition from Christopher Bell, who was determined to make an impact following a controversial race the previous week. Logano seized his opportunity, executing a daring three-wide move through the Turn 1 dogleg to take the lead, while Blaney struggled to break free from traffic.
With 35 laps remaining, Blaney finally cleared Larson and then Byron with just 22 laps to go, displaying impressive speed. However, Logano skillfully defended his lead, preventing Blaney from getting close enough for a serious challenge.
Aside from the competitive action, the race featured an unusual incident where the pace car crashed into sand barrels at the pit entrance while preparing for the second stage. The incident caused a brief red flag as crews worked to clear the debris.
NASCAR Cup Phoenix – Race Results
As the season draws to a close, Logano’s victory not only underscores his prowess but also highlights Team Penske’s impressive consistency and strategic execution, paving the way for their future in NASCAR.
Source
www.autosport.com