PHOENIX – November 7, 2021 – ANTHONY HOLBROOK
The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season is set to come to a close. The 1-mile track of Phoenix Raceway hosted the NASCAR Cup Championship 4 finale in Arizona.
NASCAR Championship 4 Finale – Recap:
Kyle Larson brought the field to green and struggled throughout the Stages attempting to keep pace with the Championship 4 contenders….. Until the moment which defined Yung Money’s season.
The Hendrick’s No. 5 race team would perform a pristine pit service checking off the 2nd best of the season winning the race off pit row for Larson. Kyle Larson collected 2,581 laps during the 2021 NASCAR season, none as valuable as his final lap at Phoenix.
Joe Gibbs Racing teammate contender’s Martin Truex Jr. along with Denny Hamlin had a noticeable advantage over the Hendrick Motorsport’s participants (Larson , Elliott) during the final stage after long tire run segments. An untimely and unexpected caution flag with fewer than 30 laps to go and would be a contributing factor of the outcome of the race.
The Championship 4 Contenders entered pit road for final service under stated caution. An 11.8-second pit service stop under the yellow flag, accelerated Kyle Larson out 1st from pit row.
Taking advantage of fresh Goodyears, Kyle Larson muscled this way to the front as Martin Truex Jr. approached in his rear view mirror. The driver of the No. 5 continued to hold the advantage as the laps checked off, guarding the post, crossing the finish line just in front of a hard charging Martin Truex Jr.
Denny Hamlin’s valiant attempt to capture a 1st NASCAR Championship only to be delayed with a 3rd place finish. 2020 Defending NASCAR Cup Champion and Championship 4 participant Chase Elliott checked off a 5th place finish as Penske spoiler Ryan Blaney posted 4th position, at the checkered line.
NASCAR Championship 4 Finale
Phoenix Raceway Results
November 7, 2021
NASCAR Cup Series
Pos | Driver
1. Kyle Larson
2. Martin Truex Jr
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Ryan Blaney
5. Chase Elliott
6. Aric Almirola
7. Kyle Busch
8. Kevin Harivck
9. Christopher Bell
10. Brad Keselowski
11. Joey Logano
12. Matt DiBenedetto
13. Cole Custer
14. Ross Chastain
15. Austin Dillon
16. Kurt Busch
17. William Byron
18. Alex Bowman
19. Tyler Reddick
20. Ryan Preece
21. Daniel Suarez
22. Erik Jones
23. Ryan Newman
24. Michael McDowell
25. Chris Buescher
26. Justin Haley
27. BJ McLeod
28. Cody Ware
29. Joey Gase
30. Josh Bilicki
31. Garrett Smithley
32. Corey LaJoie
33. David Starr
34. Anthony Alfredo
35. Chase Briscoe
36. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
37. Quin Houff
38. Timmy Hill
39. Bubba Wallace
NASCAR Championship 4 Finale : Results (Stage 1) : 1. Martin Truex Jr; 2. Kevin Harvick; 3. Chase Elliott; 4. Denny Hamlin; 5. Kyle Larson; 6. William Byron; 7. Cole Custer; 8. Ryan Blaney; 9. Kurt Busch; 10. Matt DiBendetto
NASCAR Championship 4 Finale : Results (Stage 2) : 1. Kyle Larson; 2. Chase Elliott; 3. Denny Hamlin; 4. Martin Truex Jr; 5. Ryan Blaney; 6. Kevin Harvick; 7. Brad Keselowski; 8. Kyle Busch; 9. Joey Logano; 10. William Byron
NASCAR Cup Series : Point Standings (Final)
Pos | Driver
1. Kyle Larson
2. Martin Truex Jr
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Chase Elliott
The 2022 Season will officially kick off with the running of The Great American Race – the Daytona 500 – at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 20 live on FOX – an event that will also host the regular-season points-race debut of the Next Gen race car.
The Clash – NASCAR’s prelude event to the Daytona 500 since 1979 the non-points race will be showcased to the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Feb. 6, 2022
