Phoenix Cup Preview: Blaney, Larson and Hamlin Lead as Title Fight Rolls On

For the first time since 2019, the fall NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix won't decide the championship. That puts Kyle Larson's points lead and Chase Briscoe's winning streak in focus for Sunday's Freeway Insurance 500. Ryan Blaney won the last two Phoenix races and has 11 top fives in 21 starts there. Larson has 12 top fives in 24 starts with a 10.0 average finish, and Denny Hamlin has 23 top 10s in 42 starts. Briscoe comes in off wins at Las Vegas and Charlotte, but he averages an 18.4 finish at Phoenix and finished 37th there this spring. The race is Sunday, October 18, in Avondale, Arizona.