Wow, who noticed that race coming? NASCAR lastly delivered an thrilling race in Phoenix, Arizona, on the Shriners Youngsters’s 500 (actually 312). The closest end at that monitor to this point, with three elite drivers battling for the win on the finish. #20 of Christopher Bell emerged victorious for his third straight win. Adopted by teammate #11 Denny Hamlin and #5 of Kyle Larson.
However as promised, we’ve an inventory to compile. Three drivers who impressed, and three drivers who had left a lot to be desired within the desert. Right here’s this week’s version of “Three Up, Three Down” from Phoenix!
Three Up
#11 Denny Hamlin
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Simply wanting the win for the longer term NASCAR Corridor of Fame driver. It was a hard-fought battle, however Bell simply outraced Hamlin when it counted essentially the most. However that is certainly a great signal for the legend, exhibiting he’s nonetheless obtained some short-track prowess with a brand new crew chief, new important sponsor, and a authorized battle with NASCAR up in opposition to him. That is Hamlin’s first prime 5 of the season, netting a P8 and a P4 within the levels, respectively. He’ll stay up for Las Vegas, Homestead, Bristol, and Martinsville to lock himself into the playoffs once more and hit victory lane at these quick tracks he’s simply so rattling good at.
#17 Chris Buescher
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Chris Buescher is the following driver to internet his first prime 5 of the season. It was a really sturdy day for the Texas native, who was at all times hanging across the prime 10, racing the drivers from Hendrick Motorsports fairly arduous for place. On the finish of the day, it’s a P5 end, making it three of 4 races with a top-10 to kick off the 12 months. I’ve a sense we received’t have to attend till Watkins Glen to see this automotive hit victory lane in 2025.
#48 Alex Bowman
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It was a really spectacular weekend for “the fourth driver” of Hendrick Motorsports. He kicked it off by profitable the pole, first stage, and ending runner-up in Saturday’s NASCAR XFinity Collection race. Then, beginning P32 and clawing his method as much as P5 at a monitor he’s by no means completed higher than P9 at. In the end, the ultimate restart loses him two spots, however Bowman was capable of struggle by way of the sphere, play a wonderful technique, and carve out a strong end in a monitor that hasn’t been variety to him through the years. It is a nice signal for the #48 crew, who stay up for Las Vegas, the place Bowman has a mean end of 12.4, with a win and three prime fives in 5 races within the Subsequent Gen Period. Keep watch over Bowman this weekend in Sin Metropolis.
Three Down
#2 Austin Cindric
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Cindric may’ve gotten off fortunate along with his penalty from COTA. Normally, a right-rear-hook is an automated one race suspension. However Cindric misplaced 50 factors and $50,000 for sending #10 Ty Dillon into the wall after he was run off the monitor. NASCAR determined to go straightforward on him this time round, however this can be a devastating penalty for Cindric. Who doesn’t have a ton of juice on conventional tracks like this one, the place he completed P19 and was largely a non-factor? He now sits P32 within the factors standings, with an extended technique to go.
#45 Tyler Reddick
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Tyler Reddick regarded like he was going to be a automotive competing for the win at Phoenix, however sadly misplaced energy steering late within the stage. He would’ve been on nice technique with the remainder of the leaders with a set of possibility tires able to go. However he struggles alongside to complete P20. He collected P2 and P5 within the first two levels, so it may’ve been an entire lot worse. But it surely’s at all times irritating to overlook a possibility for a win. He’ll doubtless rebound in Las Vegas and compete for a win on Sunday.
#54 Ty Gibbs
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Ty Gibbs is perhaps having essentially the most disappointing begin to the 2025 NASCAR season of any driver. He’s solely completed one race above P17 because the Roval of final fall. This week was no completely different, crashing into the wall, in addition to inflicting a serious accident on lap 99. We went over this on this week’s episode of Quick Pit, however that is simply dangerous. A top-end crew in Joe Gibbs Racing, a driver with professional expertise, simply failing to satisfy expectations. Perhaps it’s the swap of crew chief, as Chris Gale goes to the #11 crew and is changed by Tyler Allen. However the 23-year-old driver has obtained to get it collectively earlier than he’s in Austin Dillon’s “only-here-because-of-granddad” territory. Gibbs collected a P25 this week and might want to rebound in Las Vegas. If there’s any hope available, he completed P5 final spring in Sin Metropolis.
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