Avondale, Arizona – The 2023 NASCAR season concluded Sunday with the 2023 Nascar Championship Series Race Season Finale hosted by Phoenix Raceway.
Four contenders remained in contention for the Championship 4 contest, with Ryan Blaney, William Byron, Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell in quest to reign as 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Champion.
2023 Nascar Cup Series Championship – Recap:
Stage 1
Playoff Contender William Byron struck first clearing Martin Truex Jr. and Kevin Harvick in the opening dogleg, commanding the early lead.
William Byron piloted the field through 60 laps as (non-contender) Kevin Harvick attempted to overtake the Stage 1 dominator. The retiring Cup Champ Harvick went amiss as Byron guarded off Happy’s white flag attempt for advancement.
William Byron dominated Stage 1, setting his sights on a much larger prize at Avondale.
2023 Nascar Cup Series Championship – Results:
Stage 1
1. William Byron
2. Kevin Harvick
3. Ross Chastain
4. Bubba Wallace
5. Kyle Larson
6. Chris Buescher
7. Martin Truex Jr
8. Erik Jones
9. Christopher Bell
10. Ryan Blaney
2023 Nascar Cup Series Championship – Recap:
Stage 2
The Stage 2 restart propelled William Byron to an established place, clearing Kevin Harvick for the lead.
Kevin Harvick continued to be in the hunt when an outside lane was available, he sailed past race leader William Byron uncontested, mid-point of Stage 2.
The Championship 4 eligible drivers dwindled down to 3 as Christopher Bell was hampered when an exploding brake caliper ended his Championship 4 inspirations and he crashed into the Turn 3 safety barrier wall.
Ross Chastain progressed to the front, setting up Kevin Harvick for a Turn 2 pass for the lead.
Ross completed the pass on lap 110 as Chris Buescher gained momentum in Chastain’s rear-view mirror.
Within 15 laps Chris Buescher captured the lead, utilizing a lap car to block Chastain’s advancement.
Chris Buescher claimed Stage 2 honors at Phoenix!
2023 Nascar Cup Series Championship – Recap:
Stage 2
1. Chris Buescher
2. Ross Chastain
3. Kevin Harvick
4. William Byron
5. Martin Truex Jr
6. Ryan Blaney
7. Kyle Larson
8. Bubba Wallace
9. Brad Keselowski
10. Erik Jones
2023 Nascar Cup Series Championship – Recap:
Final Stage
The final Stage renewed the spotlight a Non-Championship 4 driver. Ross Chastain who led Willaim Byron and Martin Truex Jr. by a small margin.
Attempts made to ruffle the leader fell short until pit attention on green conditions on Lap 240.
Playoff Contenders William Byron and Kyle Larson’s along with race leader Chastain attended a final pit stop. Ross Chastain carried the drive out of pit lane and regained the lead to pace the field.
Ryan Blaney filtered through the pack to battle Chastain for the lead with less than 54 circuits of completion. Blaney regained the lead only to forfeit the position back to Chastain 1 lap later.
With 20 laps left to decide a Champion, Ryan Blaney sharpshot the dogleg to clear Kyle Larson for Playoff progress. Ross Chastain continued to sperate from the Playoff Contenders that followed in his tracks, leading Blaney by a comfortable margin.
Ross Chastain becomes the first Non-Championship 4 Driver to win the Final Event at Phoenix Raceway!
Ryan Blaney crosses the checkers flag 2nd. Crowning Ryan Blaney The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Champion!
2023 Nascar Cup Series Championship – Results:
Final Stage
Pos | Driver
1. Ross Chastain
2. Ryan Blaney
3. Kyle Larson
4. William Byron
5. Chris Buescher
6. Martin Truex Jr
7. Kevin Harvick
8. Denny Hamlin
9. Michael McDowell
10. Bubba Wallace
11. Daniel Suarez
12. Austin Dillon
13. Aric Almirola
14. Ryan Preece
15. Brad Keselowski
16. Chase Elliott
17. Alex Bowman
18. Joey Logano
19. Carson Hocevar
20. Erik Jones
21. Ty Gibbs
22. Tyler Reddick
23. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
24. Chase Briscoe
25. Kyle Busch
26. Harrison Burton
27. JJ Yeley
28. Ty Dillon
29. Justin Haley
30. Todd Gilliland
31. Corey LaJoie
32. AJ Allmendinger
33. BJ McLeod
34. Ryan Newman
35. Austin Cindric
36. Christopher Bell
2023 Nascar Cup Series Championship
Final Ranking
Pos | Driver | Race Finish
1. Ryan Blaney | 5035 | 3 Wins
2. Kyle Larson | 5034 | 4 Wins
3. William Byron | 5033 | 6 Wins
4. Christopher Bell | 5001 | 2 Wins
5. Denny Hamlin | 2383 | 3 Wins
6. Tyler Reddick | 2344 | 2 Wins
7. Chris Buescher | 2310 | 3 Wins
8. Brad Keselowski | 2302
9. Ross Chastain | 2299 | 2 Wins
10. Bubba Wallace | 2279
11. Martin Truex Jr | 2269 | 3 Wins
12. Joey Logano | 2258 | 1 Win
13. Kevin Harvick | 2241
14. Kyle Busch | 2232 | 3 Wins
15. Michael McDowell | 2185 | 1 Win
16. Ricky Stenhouse Jr | 2168 | 1 Win
17. Chase Elliott | 820
18. Ty Gibbs | 771
19. Daniel Suarez | 756
20. Alex Bowman | 701
21. AJ Allmendinger | 692 | 1 Win
22. Aric Almirola | 675
23. Ryan Preece | 637
24. Austin Cindric | 626
25. Corey LaJoie | 603
26. Justin Haley | 593
27. Erik Jones | 578
28. Todd Gilliland | 554
29. Austin Dillon | 545
30. Chase Briscoe | 534
31. Harrison Burton | 452
32. Ty Dillon | 364
33. Noah Gragson | 199
34. Cody Ware | 65
35. Jenson Button | 45
36. Mike Rockenfeller | 39
37. Travis Pastrana | 26
38. Brodie Kostecki | 15
39. Jimmie Johnson | 12
40. Kimi Raikkonen | 8
41. Shane Van Gisbergen | 1 Win
The 2024 Nascar Cup Series returns to the tradition-rich Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the 3rd annual season-opening Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum.
Sunday, February 04, 2024
8:00 p.m.
FOX / Sirus XM 90
