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Ryan Blaney of Team Penske navigated a chaotic and caution-filled NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, ultimately clinching victory and completing a dominant weekend sweep for his powerhouse organization. The dramatic 312-lap event was marred by numerous incidents, tying the track’s all-time Cup Series record for cautions with 12, as Blaney overcame adversity to snatch the win.
Blaney’s triumph marked the second consecutive victory for Team Penske at Phoenix, following Josef Newgarden’s win in the preceding IndyCar Series race. This remarkable achievement underscores the team’s current prowess across different motorsport disciplines. Blaney, driving the No. 12 Ford, had to battle back from multiple setbacks, including two instances of loose wheels that forced him to pit and rejoin the field from the rear.
"It’s just perseverance," Blaney stated post-race, reflecting on the challenging afternoon. "Everybody on the 12 group persevered all day. We had a couple mistakes that we learned from, got better, had to come from the back a couple times." He acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing, who led a significant portion of the race. "Obviously the 20 was the best car. Jonathan [Zieglemeier, crew chief] made a great call to take two [tires], we were able to get the lead. Hold them off."
Christopher Bell, in the No. 20 Toyota, was left to rue what might have been. Bell dominated the race, leading an impressive 176 of the 312 laps. He ultimately finished second, just behind Blaney, after taking four fresh tires for the final restart. "Ultimately, if we had more green flag laps, I think we could have made a run at him," Bell expressed his disappointment. "You win some, you lose some. This one stings, but on the positive side, I’m really proud of our entire team. The pit crew did amazing. Adam [Stevens, crew chief] brought an amazing car. Our mechanics, engineers did really good." Bell added that the result provided momentum for his team, securing valuable stage points and a strong second-place finish.
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The race was a testament to Blaney’s resilience and strategic execution. After losing track position due to loose wheels, he methodically worked his way back through the field. The strategic decision by his crew chief, Zieglemeier, to take only two tires on the final pit stop proved to be the winning move, giving Blaney the track position he needed to fend off Bell’s charge.
The race was characterized by a relentless series of cautions, many of which were caused by on-track incidents. Early in Stage 1, polesitter Joey Logano of Team Penske led the field, but teammate Carson Hocevar had to start from the rear due to a pre-race penalty. Zane Smith also faced penalties for unapproved adjustments, forcing him to serve a pass-through penalty at the start. The early laps saw Team Penske establish a strong presence, with Logano, Blaney, and Austin Cindric running at the front. However, Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing broke up the Penske trio, passing Cindric. Blaney ultimately won Stage 1 after navigating through slower traffic.
Stage 2 continued the theme of caution and incident. Bell regained the lead after pit stops, while Kyle Larson, who had started strong, was penalized for speeding on pit road. Tire issues began to plague drivers, with Kyle Busch hitting the wall and Shane van Gisbergen experiencing a spin and a flat tire. Blaney himself encountered another loose wheel, forcing him to pit again. The restarts were fraught with danger, as drivers jockeyed for position. Notably, contact between Daniel Suarez and Ryan Preece sent Chase Elliott spinning, while Noah Gragson and Chase Briscoe also encountered trouble. Briscoe was the first to retire from the race due to damage. Bell ultimately won Stage 2, ahead of Denny Hamlin, Logano, and others.
The final stage saw the chaos escalate. A spin involving Connor Zilisch and Ryan Preece brought out another caution. On the restart, Joey Logano made contact with Ross Chastain, initiating a multi-car incident that also collected Anthony Alfredo and Austin Cindric. Blaney continued his charge, eventually getting alongside Bell for the lead. However, another caution, this time for Kyle Busch cutting a tire, momentarily halted Blaney’s momentum.
The subsequent restarts were particularly wild. Contact between AJ Allmendinger and Joey Logano sent Logano spinning, collecting Harrison Burton and several others. The tenth caution of the race set up a tense final sequence. Many drivers opted for two tires, including Blaney and Ty Gibbs, while Bell chose four. Gibbs started on the front row alongside Bell, but Blaney quickly moved into contention. After a restart that saw further incidents involving Zane Smith, Ty Dillon, and John-Hunter Nemechek, Blaney surged forward, briefly pushing Gibbs ahead before making his own move for the lead. He then had to hold off a closing Bell in the closing laps, managing his tires and car to secure the victory.
Blaney’s win is his first of the 2024 season, and it marks a significant milestone for Team Penske, showcasing their continued strength in the NASCAR Cup Series. The race saw a diverse group of drivers finish in the top ten, including Kyle Larson (3rd), Ty Gibbs (4th), and Denny Hamlin (5th). Bubba Wallace, William Byron, Tyler Reddick, Michael McDowell, and Erik Jones rounded out the top ten.
The record-tying number of cautions highlights the challenging nature of racing at Phoenix Raceway and the aggressive tactics employed by drivers throughout the event. The constant interruptions and restarts tested the pit crews and strategists, but ultimately, it was Blaney and Team Penske who executed the best plan to emerge victorious in a truly demanding race. Blaney’s performance, marked by his ability to overcome setbacks and capitalize on opportunities, solidifies his position as a championship contender.
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