NASCAR Cup Series: Championship Race Practice at Phoenix Raceway

The final practice session of the NASCAR Cup Series for the championship race at Phoenix Raceway was filled with excitement and unexpected twists. This session was crucial for the teams as they prepared for the highly competitive race, but it also exposed several issues that could have significant implications for the championship contenders.

Tire Failures Create Tension

One of the most alarming occurrences during the practice session was the series of left-side tire failures. These incidents not only affected the performance of multiple drivers but also raised questions about the teams’ strategies leading up to the championship. Chase Briscoe was the first to experience a left-side tire failure, followed closely by AJ Allmendinger, who suffered two consecutive failures. The second failure for Allmendinger resulted in a crash, forcing him to switch to a backup car for the race.

Other drivers were not spared from tire issues either. Christopher Bell faced a similar left-side tire failure, while Daniel Suarez experienced two failures in quick succession. Riley Herbst also crashed due to tire problems, and Kyle Busch expressed concerns about potentially facing the same fate. Chase Elliott, another championship contender, was visibly anxious about the tire situation.

Insights from Crew Chiefs

The unexpected nature of these tire failures caught many crew chiefs off guard. Most had anticipated a greater emphasis on the right-side tires due to insights gained from a wheel force test conducted at the track earlier in the season. However, the left-side issues became the focal point of concern during the practice session.

James Small, the crew chief for Briscoe’s No. 19 team, shared his thoughts on the tire failures. He suggested that the team’s aggressive approach to finding the limits of tire performance may have contributed to the problems. "We were probably too low on air pressure and had too much camber," Small explained. "It was just too aggressive, I guess. We stopped running there due to a little scare toward the end. We made several adjustments throughout the session, so we need to analyze the tires further and understand what happened."

Rudy Fugle, who serves as the crew chief for William Byron’s No. 24 vehicle, echoed Small’s sentiments. He pointed out that Phoenix Raceway tends to exert more load on the left-side tires compared to other tracks like Richmond and New Hampshire. "There are definitely lessons to learn from this session," Fugle noted. "During the test, we were more focused on right-side failures, so the left-side problems were a surprise. This track is tough on tires, especially considering our attempts to enhance speed."

Chris Gayle, crew chief for Denny Hamlin, also recognized the challenges posed by the track’s load on the tires. "The load is a significant factor," Gayle remarked. "I don’t recall any left-side failures during the wheel force test, so I was cautious about left-side failures based on our experiences at other tracks. We started on the safe side to avoid any issues that could arise during the race."

Challenges for Joe Gibbs Racing

In addition to tire concerns, the Joe Gibbs Racing team faced its own set of challenges during the practice session. Hamlin’s No. 11 car encountered a long clutch issue that had been a recurring problem throughout the season. Gayle mentioned that the clutch’s throw was off, making it difficult for Hamlin to disengage it properly. "We’re currently investigating the issue," Gayle stated. "I don’t have any immediate answers, but we’re working on it."

Performance Metrics: Who Led the Session?

From a performance standpoint, Ty Gibbs emerged as the fastest driver overall during the practice session. The championship finalists posted the following fastest times:

• Denny Hamlin: 5th fastest
• William Byron: 9th fastest
• Kyle Larson: 11th fastest
• Chase Briscoe: 16th fastest

Ryan Blaney showed impressive speed, leading the five-lap average times ahead of Hamlin and Elliott. He also recorded the fastest ten-lap averages, surpassing Larson and Byron. Larson, on the other hand, excelled in the fifteen-lap averages, coming out on top over Blaney, Tyler Reddick, and Byron.

Interestingly, Cliff Daniels, Larson’s crew chief, did not participate in the mandatory NASCAR press conference following the session. Instead, he opted for an extended debrief with his team, reflecting the seriousness with which they approached the upcoming championship race.

Conclusion

As the NASCAR Cup Series heads into the championship race at Phoenix Raceway, the challenges faced during the final practice session have set the stage for an intense showdown. Tire failures and mechanical issues have raised the stakes for the championship contenders, and teams will need to adapt quickly to ensure their cars perform optimally. The outcome of the race remains uncertain, but the drama and excitement are sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats.