Phoenix Raceway is set to host the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race this weekend, bringing the 10-race playoff season to a thrilling conclusion. Four drivers are vying for the title in the 312-lap race.
Who's Competing for the Bill France Cup?
The Championship 4 drivers are Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney, and William Byron. Although 40 drivers will compete in the race at Phoenix, only these four are eligible for the championship. The driver who finishes highest among them after 312 laps will be crowned the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series champion.
How Did These Drivers Qualify for the Championship 4?
Joey Logano: The 2018 and 2022 Cup champion was the first to secure a spot in the Championship 4 by winning the Round of 8 opener at Las Vegas on October 20. Logano has now made it to the title race in every even-numbered year since the playoffs began in 2014.
Tyler Reddick: In his fifth full-time Cup season, Reddick earned his spot in the Championship 4 after winning the Round of 8 race at Homestead-Miami on October 27. This will be his first appearance in the Championship 4.
Ryan Blaney: The reigning champion, Blaney clinched his Championship 4 berth by winning at Martinsville Speedway on November 3. This marks his second consecutive appearance in the final four.
William Byron: Byron secured his place in the Championship 4 based on points, finishing four ahead of Christopher Bell after Bell was penalized for a safety violation at Martinsville. It will be Byron's second straight appearance in the final four.
All Four Driver stats
Joey Logano:
Phoenix stats: 31 starts, 3 wins, 8 top-fives, 16 top-10s, 10.9 average start, 13.5 average finish, 908 laps led.
Last Phoenix start (March 2024): Started 23rd, finished 34th, 0 laps led.
Logano is seeking his third Cup title, will enter the race confident despite a challenging season statistically. His win at Las Vegas allowed his team to shift focus to Phoenix in preparation for the championship.
Tyler Reddick:
Phoenix stats: 9 starts, 0 wins, 2 top-fives, 3 top-10s, 16.0 average start, 17.9 average finish, 72 laps led.
Last Phoenix start (March 2024): Started 6th, finished 10th, 68 laps led.
Reddick, in his fifth Cup season, makes his Championship 4 debut. However, he’s no stranger to high-pressure situations, having won two championships in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series.
Ryan Blaney:
Phoenix stats: 17 starts, 0 wins, 8 top-fives, 12 top-10s, 6.7 average start, 10.9 average finish, 431 laps led.
Last Phoenix start (March 2024): Started 16th, finished 5th, 0 laps led.
Blaney enters Phoenix as one of the hottest drivers in the field, following a dominant victory at Martinsville that secured his Championship 4 spot. After winning the title last year, Blaney is a strong contender to defend his crown.
William Byron:
Phoenix stats: 13 starts, 1 win, 2 top-fives, 7 top-10s, 10.0 average start, 11.8 average finish, 186 laps led.
Last Phoenix start (March 2024): Started 5th, finished 18th, 0 laps led.
Byron heads to Phoenix as the only driver in the Championship 4 who did not win a race in the Round of 8. Despite this, he has been consistent throughout the playoffs, with a 9.3 average finish, and will be looking to capitalize on his steady performance in the final race.
As the championship battle approaches, all four drivers will be focused on securing their first Cup title, with Phoenix Raceway set to provide a dramatic finish to the season.
