Ryan Blaney won his first-ever NASCAR Cup Series championship.
The race marked the final one for 2014 NASCAR champion and 2007 Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick.
The victory was significant for Ford Performance, which saw a late-season surge with Blaney.
Ryan Blaney, the Ohio-born driver, has clinched his first-ever NASCAR Cup Series championship, marking a significant milestone in his career and for Team Penske. The championship was secured at the Phoenix Raceway, where Blaney held off competitors Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Christopher Bell.
The race was not without its dramatic moments. A pivotal point came on lap 274 when a caution flag flew due to Kyle Busch's spin. Another contender, Christopher Bell, faced a crash on lap 109, which ended his championship dreams. The race also marked the final one for 2014 NASCAR champion and 2007 Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick.
This victory was particularly significant for Ford Performance, which had struggled throughout the season but saw a late surge with Blaney, who won two of the final six playoff races. Team owner Roger Penske has now won back-to-back Cup championships, a testament to the team's consistent performance.
The 2023 NASCAR season concluded with three new champions; Ben Rhodes, Cole Custer, and Ryan Blaney, marking a shift in the racing landscape. The championship win by Blaney is a testament to his skill and determination, and a significant achievement for Team Penske and Ford Performance.
Ryan Blaney is the first Ohio-born driver to win the Cup title.
This victory was particularly significant for Ford Performance, which had struggled throughout the season but saw a late surge with Blaney, who won two of the final six playoff races.
The article includes a podcast where Adam Cheek and Danny Peters discuss Blaney's path to the title, Kevin Harvick's final race, and the overall weekend events.