Nascar news

• Ryan Blaney kind of faces a must-win scenario this weekend at Phoenix

  17-10-2026 23:53 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoRyan Blaney is very good at Phoenix.
  He is very good at Talladega.Gosh, honestly, he is really good at Martinsville too.At the same time, Blaney is fifth in the Chase for the Championship and 85 points back but the next three weeks could certainly be the start of something special for the Penske No. 12 team by virtue of just doing what they normally do late in the season.Win these races, which sounds like a lot of pressure, but not to Blaney.“I take it as it’s a compl
  
  Read more

• NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying Results: Starting Lineup for Phoenix Raceway

  17-10-2026 23:44 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Ryan Blaney secured the pole for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway, delivering the fastest lap of 26.250 seconds in the No. 12 Ford. Joey Logano followed closely in second, just 0.032 seconds behind his Team Penske teammate with a lap of 26.282 seconds. Chase Briscoe qualified third for Joe Gibbs Racing, while teammates Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell completed the top five. Tyler Reddick took sixth, giving Toyota three drivers in the top six alongside Briscoe and Hamlin.“I&r
  
  Read more

• William Byron Admits 2026 Has Been ‘a Struggle’

  17-10-2026 23:43 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  William Byron is not counting on a championship in 2026. The Hendrick Motorsports driver called his title chances “kind of a Hail Mary” late in the NASCAR Cup Series Chase.SiriusXM NASCAR posted the clip on X. Byron spoke at the team’s fan day. Hendrick held its fan day on Oct. 9, before the Charlotte race.“I think for us, where we stand in the points, it’s kind of a Hail Mary for us to get to first. But we never lose doubt. I think for us it’s about tryi
  
  Read more

• Practice Results: 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Freeway Insurance 500 at Phoenix

  17-10-2026 23:30 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Ryan Blaney, a two-time Phoenix Raceway winner, led the way in NASCAR Cup Series practice at the 1-mile oval on Saturday afternoon. Blaney’s fastest lap time was 26.969 seconds (133.487 mph), which allowed him to top the field by a margin of 0.029 seconds.Carson Hocevar, the driver of the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, was the second-fastest driver in the session.Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, and Christopher Bell rounded out the top-five fastest drivers in the practice for Sunday’s
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Joey Logano 'Pretty Much' Must Win Phoenix to Contend for Cup Title

  17-10-2026 23:12 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano said he "pretty much" must win at Phoenix Raceway to stay in the hunt.Logano is 92 points behind leader Kyle Larson, who leads Denny Hamlin by 49, Christopher Bell by 51, Chase Briscoe by 65, Ryan Blaney by 85 and then Logano, in sixth."Would I rather switch spots with the 5, from a points perspective? Sure. I'd rather be 40 up on the field than 90-plus back obviously," Logano said with a laugh. Logano has had two top-five fini
  
  Read more

• Catching Larson in the NASCAR Chase has to start at track where 'I suck'

  17-10-2026 22:55 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoRealistically, the NASCAR Cup Series Chase for the Championship is down to these three, and it’s going to take a generational run for anyone else to even have a marginal opportunity.Kyle Larson
  Denny Hamlin -49
  Christopher Bell -51To wit, NASCAR placed all three presumptive championship finalists on a media stage on Saturday at Phoenix Raceway to discuss what the final four races looks like for their respective hopes.
  Read Also:
  NASCAR to allow brake rotor and pad changes a
  
  Read more

• Love Takes Phoenix O’Reilly Pole; Timberland PRO 200 Starting Lineup

  17-10-2026 22:04 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Jesse Love put down a heater in NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series qualifying on Saturday at Phoenix Raceway. The driver of the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet will start from the pole position after turning an incredible lap time of 27.336 seconds (131.694 mph), which allowed him to best the field by 0.240 seconds.Brandon Jones, the driver of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, was second-fastest followed by William Sawalich, Sheldon Creed and Taylor Gray in the top-five of the se
  
  Read more

• NASCAR O'Reilly Series Phoenix lineup, TV schedule for Saturday's race

  17-10-2026 21:59 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Jesse Love is on the pole for the Timberland Pro 200 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race on Oct. 17 at Phoenix Raceway.Love's lap of 27.336 seconds was 0.240 seconds faster than Brandon Jones to claim the top spot in qualifying.Sam Mayer had an engine issue in practice and will start outside the top 30.Here's the full starting lineup for Saturday's O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race:O'REILLY POINTS:NASCAR points standings: O'Reilly Series points update after Charlotte raceTimberland Pro 200 NASC
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• NASCAR Phoenix qualifying live results, Cup Series starting lineup

  17-10-2026 21:30 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The NASCAR Cup SeriesPhoenix race weekend begins with Freeway Insurance 500 practice and qualifying on Oct. 17.The 1-mile oval shifted from being the championship race on the schedule to toward the middle of the Chase.Kyle Larson enters the race weekend with the points lead, 49 points ahead of Denny Hamlin.Four races remain in the 2026 Cup Series season, with Phoenix this weekend before Talladega, Martinsville and Homestead to wrap up the Chase.Follow our NASCAR Phoenix qualifying updates below:
  
  Read more

• Racing Insights: Who will conquer the cacti at Phoenix?

  17-10-2026 20:51 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The desert’s diamond awaits the NASCAR Cup Series as Phoenix Raceway plays host to The Chase presented by Mobil 1 on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, USA Network, HBO Max, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). The semiannual stop ushers in a new chapter for the 1-mile oval: for the first time since 2019, it is not the season finale.But that’s not to say the stakes aren’t high. Just four races separate a driver from the title, and after three consecutive intermediates, the Cup Series pivots to a
  
  Read more

• Blaney wins Busch Light Pole Award at Phoenix; points leader Larson starts 22nd

  17-10-2026 20:43 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Ryan Blaney will lead the field to green for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Race at Phoenix Raceway (3 p.m. ET, USA Network, HBO Max, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) — the 33rd points-paying event of the 2026 season.The No. 12 Team Penske driver — and 2023 series champion — earned his 17th career Busch Light Pole Award Saturday afternoon after putting down a hot lap of 137.143 mph around the 1-mile oval in the Arizona desert. Joey Logano, Blaney’s Team Penske teammate
  
  Read more

• NASCAR entry list for Cup Series race at Phoenix in 2026 Chase

  17-10-2026 20:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The NASCAR Cup Series is ready to take on the 2026 Freeway Insurance 500 at Phoenix Raceway, and the entry list has been revealed. NASCAR released the 2026 Freeway Insurance 500, O'Reilly Series, and Truck Series entry list for Phoenix on Monday afternoon. This is Phoenix's final date on the 2026 NASCAR schedule, and the seventh race in the Chase. All three NASCAR levels will be on track at Phoenix.There are 36 guaranteed charters for the 2026 Freeway Insurance 500 on Sunday afternoon.
  
  Read more

• Chase Elliott Admits Title Is ‘Certainly a Stretch’

  17-10-2026 17:42 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Chase Elliott knows where he stands in the NASCAR Cup Series title fight. The Hendrick Motorsports driver is 185 points behind teammate Kyle Larson with four races left in the Chase.Elliott talked about his chances on an episode of The Inside Lane, a motorsports show hosted by Devon Henry.Henry asked Elliott whether he could still catch Larson.“Obviously, you know, I think the championship is certainly a stretch at this point.”Elliott is tied on points with Bubba Wallace. Wallace hol
  
  Read more

• 'Nothing building' between McDowell, Stenhouse after hauler meeting at Phoenix

  17-10-2026 17:20 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  AVONDALE, Ariz. — Michael McDowell and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. emerged from the NASCAR Cup Series hauler after a Saturday morning at-track consultation with officials, saying that they were ready to move past their dispute.The two Cup Series veterans shared a moderated meeting with competition directors Saturday at Phoenix Raceway, six days after their on-track get-together in last weekend’s contest at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The pair will be back at it Sunday in the Freeway Insurance
  
  Read more

• Brennan Poole joins Jordan Anderson Racing for 2027 NASCAR O'Reilly season

  17-10-2026 07:32 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoAfter announcing his departure from Alpha Prime Racing, Brennan Poole already has a new home for 2027 as he will become the driver of the No. 31 Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport entry. He will be teammates with Daniel Dye, as both of the team's current full-time drivers leave for other opportunities.Jeb Burton will join RSS Racing, and Blaine Perkins will head over to Sam Hunt Racing.Poole leaves Alpha Prime after three seasons, and is a driver with over 200 starts in t
  
  Read more

• "Our Last Opportunity to Bet Him" - NASCAR Analyst Warns Joey Logano’s Title Window Is Now or Never

  17-10-2026 05:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  February 11, 2026, Daytona Beach, Fl, USA: JOEY LOGANO 22 of Middletown, CT gets gets ready to practice for Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach , FL. Daytona Beach USA – ZUMAa161 20260211_aaa_a161_006 Copyright: xWalterxG.xArcexSr.x ©IMAGO/ZUMA Press WireJoey Logano’s Bristol victory in September offered a glimpse of the comeback that once looked unlikely. But that momentum has faded, and the three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion is running out of race
  
  Read more

• "Question Mark for Everybody"- HMS Crew Chief Explains Impact of NASCAR’s Phoenix Brake Decision

  17-10-2026 04:47 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  NASHVILLE, TN – JUNE 29: Cliff Daniels,crew chief talks to Kyle Larson 5 Hendrick Motorsports HendrickCars.com Chevrolet during qualifying for the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Ally 400 on June 29, 2024, at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, TN. Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire AUTO: JUN 29 NASCAR Cup Series Ally 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2406292506 ©IMAGO/Icon SportswireNASCAR has given Cup Series teams permission to replace front brake pads and rotors afte
  
  Read more

• Kaden Honeycutt expands Chase lead with NASCAR Truck Series win at Phoenix

  17-10-2026 04:46 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  By Reid Spencer
  NASCAR Wire ServiceAVONDALE, Ariz. — At the track where Corey Heim secured the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series title in the No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota last year, Kaden Honeycutt took a giant step toward this season’s championship in the same ride.Taking control of the race in the third stage at Phoenix Raceway, thanks in no small part to a flawless effort from his pit crew, Honeycutt cruised to victory in Friday’s Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 Powered by POET and ex
  
  Read more

• “Not Every Single Decision Is NASCAR Being the Demon"- Mark Martin Defends Sanctioning Body Over Format Pressures

  17-10-2026 04:33 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  November 02, 2007 – Fort Worth , TX, USA: Mark Martin waits to qualify at Texas Motor Speedway for the running of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Dickies 500 in Fort Worth, TX. ©IMAGO/DepositphotosMark Martin spent years challenging NASCAR’s championship system, but getting the changes he wanted proved harder than simply speaking his mind. The Hall of Famer says his push for a return to full-season points initially found little support, with television commitments standing in the way.But
  
  Read more

• Race Results: 2026 NCTS Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 at Phoenix

  17-10-2026 03:47 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Kaden Honeycutt was able to strengthen his grip on the point lead in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with a victory in Friday night’s Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 at Phoenix Raceway.The driver of the No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota, who looked to have a top-three-to-four truck through the opening two Stages of the race, came to life in the final Stage and took a decisive win.Honeycutt held off Christian Eckes for the win by a margin of 1.556 seconds, while Layne Riggs, Ty Majeski, and Jake Gar
  
  Read more

• Kaden Honeycutt wins incident-free Phoenix NASCAR Truck race, extends points lead

  17-10-2026 03:34 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoKaden Honeycutt earned his fourth win of the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season on Friday, winning a largely uneventful race at Phoenix Raceway. Outside of the Stage 1 end and a Stage 2-ending debris yellow, there were no incident-related cautions.Honeycutt's victory helped increase his championship advantage, now 39pts ahead of Layne Riggs, with Riggs finishing third behind runner-up Christian Eckes."My pit crew did a great job, man," said Honeycutt af
  
  Read more

• “I Wish We Still Had KBM”—Samantha Busch Reveals Heartfelt Grassroots Racing Vision Honoring Late Husband Kyle

  17-10-2026 03:31 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 12: Kyle Busch 8 Richard Childress Racing Zone Jalapeno Lime Chevrolet stands by his car prior to the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Daytona 500 Duels 1 on February 12, 2026 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL.Photo by Michael Bush/Icon Sportswire AUTO: FEB 12 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 Duels 1 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260212013 ©IMAGO/Icon SportswireWinning races made Kyle Busch Motorsports a powerhouse. Giving overlooked drivers a
  
  Read more

• Who won NASCAR Truck Series Phoenix race? Winner is Kaden Honeycutt, plus full results

  17-10-2026 03:28 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Kaden Honeycutt held off Layne Riggs and Christian Eckes to claim the Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on Oct. 16 at Phoenix Raceway.While Ty Majeski swept the first two stages, Honeycutt, the series points leader, grabbed control of the lead in the final 50 laps and drove away.Honeycutt gained valuable points ahead of Riggs, his chief championship rival.Here are the full results for Friday's Truck Series race at Phoenix:PHOENIX RACEWAY:NASCAR Phoenix full weekend tr
  
  Read more

• “Losing That Culture War”— Veteran Insider Sounds Alarm on Silicon Valley's NASCAR Snub Benefitting Motorsport Rivals

  17-10-2026 03:17 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  ©IMAGO/Icon SportswireOpenAI is helping a racing team find speed in places the human eye cannot see. Its researchers are working with Chip Ganassi Racing to make sense of the data coming off its IndyCars. NASCAR teams chase those same margins every weekend. So why has IndyCar become the more visible home for this kind of AI partnership? Former NASCAR driver Landon Cassill apparently has the answer.“Is NASCAR losing the culture war? F1 is winning that culture war of celebrity interest
  
  Read more

• Shane van Gisbergen Drawing Interest From Top NASCAR Teams Ahead of 2028

  17-10-2026 01:25 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Shane van Gisbergen came to NASCAR with a reputation for winning on road courses. The longer he spends racing stock cars, however, the harder it becomes to define him by that one specialty.And that could create an interesting problem for Trackhouse Racing.With the 2028 NASCAR Cup Series season still more than a year away, van Gisbergen is already emerging as a driver worth watching in the sport’s next major round of contract negotiations. According to The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi, s
  
  Read more

Follow @NewsNascarUSA on Twitter!