We obtained by means of COTA, comparatively clean for many of the area. It was street course race over all although, the brief course made a distinction. Extra on that in a bit, since we did have one other winner final week, we should replace the 2025 NASCAR Energy Rankings once more. As we head to Phoenix and the beginning of the West Coast swing issues are sure to get all combined up subsequent week.
The Backside 5
I had increased hopes for Carson, after the run he had at Atlanta. Then the strong qualifying effort he put out to begin the COTA weekend. He didn’t rating any stage factors however completed within the high fifteen. I’ll have an interest to see how he does this weekend heading right into a extra conventional type oval race.
One other “WTF” second from Ross on lap one sort of set the stage one would’ve thought for race from Ross. It was extra like a median type day. He completed twelfth and like the motive force under him on these 2025 NASCAR Energy Rankings didn’t rating any stage factors. Phoenix is an effective monitor for Ross however so was COTA statistically so we will see.
P7. Stayed out of the melee 🤷🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/rzTuOvEvgx
— Chris Buescher (@Chris_Buescher) March 3, 2025
It was a quiet day to start for Chris. He didn’t rating stage level both however not like the prior two drivers he grabbed a high ten end. I did anticipate a greater total race out of Chris however I’m positive nobody is complaining a couple of high ten end on his group. Phoenix ought to be one other good day end clever at the least. Contemplating he’s using a 3 race high ten streak within the desert.
I definetly for shadowed this a bit on final weeks energy rankings. Denny and COTA have by no means gotten alongside. He misplaced his entrance fender early, then will get circled late with Austin Dillon. He heads to the desert trying to rebound, at a monitor that at the least he has a median end inside the highest fifteen.
An entire lot of common days or worse from this level on down I suppose. Chase scored no stage factors and a high fifteen end. It wasn’t nice nevertheless it wasn’t horrible. Contemplating he didn’t have the best of luck earlier than with COTA I’m positive he was thrilled. Be careful for the 19 group this weekend. There driver has been actually good right here earlier than it a lot worse tools.
2025 NASCAR Energy Rankings Mid-Pack Drivers
Final 12 months the #20 was the butthead. This 12 months it was me. GG @CBellRacing.👊🏻 pic.twitter.com/SUrAWYo34v
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) March 3, 2025
What a freaking drive by Kyle Busch?! Rowdy scored stage factors in each levels in addition to a high 5. On a monitor the place nobody I really feel like noticed it coming. That’s a Rowdy Busch kind of weekend although. He’s going to want that once more this weekend at Phoenix if he hopes to show round his horrible three race streak of ending exterior the highest twenty.
As BR mentioned in the latest episode of Quick Pit. We obtained a John Cena heel flip, and a Bubba Wallace stage win earlier than GTA six. It is a large deal for Bubba, he has not been tremendous good at street programs. The ending spot may’ve been higher sure I do know however he can go to Phoenix and proceed to work on grabbing factors.
It was a foul day for Joey. He salvaged it a bit with stage factors on the finish of stage one. Nevertheless the automobile was simply by no means the place it wanted to be it appeared. Joey might be “foaming on the mouth” to get to Phoenix contemplating he has two wins within the final six races. We’ll see if Joey goes to point out up this early within the season or is he going to proceed his first rate down the 2025 NASCAR Energy Rankings till Labor Day?
He obtained “chastained” on lap one, flip one. I imply how else are you able to say it? Nevertheless the motive force and the group battled all race, and with a late warning they had been in a position to claw themselves into the highest 5. I’m unsure what to anticipate from Chase this weekend. He’s been common at finest previous to final falls eighth place end. The potential for a present is there if the automobile cooperates and Ross Chastain isn’t any the place close to him.
A fall from the highest 5 for one of many high 5 drivers on the earth. How one could ask? Nicely it’s easy. NASCAR is a group sport and Kyles pit crew let him down with the unfastened wheel. I do know Kyle will rebound this weekend, particularly wanting on the stats like I usually do. In his final ten profession Phoenix races. Kyle has just one end exterior the highest fifteen, and that was as a result of an engine difficulty. This might be a sleep fest followers if Kyle has automobile below him.
This Weeks High 5
A tough-fought day at @NASCARatCOTA. @Alex_Bowman and the #Ally48 group rally again and end P9! 💪 pic.twitter.com/W8ulSaHPBu
— Ally Racing (@allyracing) March 3, 2025
A high 5 place for “the fourth HMS driver” completely. I imply in the event you didn’t watch Quick Pit but I’ll clarify it for you. Two penalties, a spin, and a high ten end. Sure I mentioned a high ten end. He loads like Chase Elliott was in a position to profit from the late warning, new tires and a brand new monitor format. Alex and Phoenix should not good to at least one one other. He has one high ten end in his final ten profession Phoenix races. Something is feasible although that is NASCAR!
Virtually a repeat however nonetheless an announcement. pic.twitter.com/EHhFRpwE08
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) March 3, 2025
It was one other strong race for William. He quietly obtained stage factors in each levels after which was even across the battle for the lead if somebody obtained a bit of to aggressive to take benefit. He ought to go to Phoenix and look to do the very same factor once more. He’s obtained the second finest ending common within the final six races and one win. Willy B ought to be simply high-quality within the desert.
Not the best way we wished to complete, however pleased with the 12-Group for sticking with all of it day. We’re able to get again to Phoenix and get after it. pic.twitter.com/5bLMiuxikm
— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) March 3, 2025
It was a street course race. I imply Ryan isn’t a horrible street racer however he’s not one of many high street racers both. He grabbed stage factors in stage two however did unfastened the highest place within the factors standings. I’m not frightened and I do know none of Blaney Nation is both. Phoenix has been greater than strong for Ryan. He has six high fives in six journeys. The one factor evading him is a win.
So shut, however pleased with a strong top-5 yesterday at @COTA. Happy with our group for staying in it till the top! On to Phoenix! pic.twitter.com/Hf6Dk1KBvk
— Tyler Reddick (@TylerReddick) March 3, 2025
He grabbed the pole, stage factors in stage one, and lead a couple of laps. The completed inside the highest 5 to wrap all of it up. It was as strong of a day as you possibly can have minus profitable. Tyler will hopefully preserve constructing on his performances headed to Phoenix the place he solely has 4 high ten finishes in ten profession begins. The excellent news is although three of these 4 have got here with 23XI Racing.
BACK-TO-BACK. Christopher Bell holds off William Byron to WIN at Circuit of the Americas! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/oq0Dd2hHCu
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 3, 2025
You didn’t see this one coming in any respect I’m positive proper? I imply he gained back-to-back races on two utterly completely different tracks. Sure, he could have lucked into the primary one in a way however a win is a win within the books. He gained this race in Phoenix final 12 months, after which completed fifth within the fall. Oh all whereas main a mixed 193 laps in these two races. I’m unsure we see three in a row, but when anybody may do it proper now I’m going to say it’s undoubtedly C Bell.
COTA Wrap Earlier than Phoenix
So, COTA made an adjustment with NASCAR to the course. It made it brief, sooner and much more inventory automobile pleasant in my view. I do know we don’t have a date for subsequent 12 months on the schedule, but when anybody from NASCAR reads this and cares. Get it completed. Not solely is COTA one of many premier street programs within the nation, however the brief course change was superior sufficient I need to see it once more. Now onto Phoenix since that rant is out of the best way.
Phoenix is a good suggestion of who’s going to have pace within the coming weeks on the west coast. It’s extra of a conventional oval race truthfully. It’s a brief monitor really feel although and I’m frightened. There is no such thing as a hiding this subsequent gen automobile has a brief monitor drawback. I hope the addition of the softer tires being introduced assist the product, however I’m cautiously optimistic. That’s all from me although for this week, see y’all after Phoenix!
Featured Photograph by James Gilbert/Getty Pictures
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