The NASCAR Cup race held in Phoenix last Sunday was marked by 12 cautions, tying a record at the Arizona circuit. The event was filled with drama with flat tires, broken rotors, and a notable recovery from Ryan Blaney with the number 12 Ford of the Penske team.
Despite the end of his winning streak, Tyler Reddick continues to lead the championship standings, with Blaney 60 points behind the first place and Bubba Wallace rounding out the podium of the top positions.
Winners and losers of the race
Winner: Blaney and Penske’s recovery – The Penske team achieved a perfect weekend, winning both the pole in NASCAR and IndyCar, and with four different drivers at the front. Ryan Blaney, after struggling with loose tires, demonstrated his determination and completed the victory, consolidating Penske’s dominance in Phoenix.
Loser: Logano on a complicated day – Joey Logano, Blaney’s teammate and pole-sitter, experienced a very different day. A bad restart caused an accident that affected multiple drivers, including himself, finishing in 31st place. Logano took responsibility for the incident and described the day as ‘difficult’ outside the medical center of the circuit.
Winner: 23XI with a double top 10 – Tyler Reddick, who won the first three races of the 2026 season, achieved a notable eighth place, while Bubba Wallace finished sixth. This performance reaffirms the strength of the 23XI team as a serious competitor.
Loser: Briscoe continues with an unfortunate start to the season – Chase Briscoe, who made it to the championship final a year ago, has started the new season with difficulties, now sitting in 33rd place in the standings after several weak performances.
Winner: Van Gisbergen perseveres – Shane van Gisbergen secured an 11th place in Phoenix, improving his previous record at the track. Despite spinning out twice, he demonstrated his ability to recover and remains fifth in the standings.
Loser: Bell loses a key opportunity – Christopher Bell, who had led more than half of the race, lost the lead when he opted for four tires during the last caution. Finishing second, Bell laments not being able to secure the win despite his great performance.
Winner: Goodyear stays calm – In light of November’s tire failures, Goodyear did not react hastily. Their tires allowed for good wear and overtaking opportunities, consolidating a competitive atmosphere.
Loser: Suarez’s day complicates – Daniel Suarez, who came in with good expectations, did not achieve his goal after suffering an accident. He fell ten positions in the standings to finish the race without scoring.
Winner: Ty Gibbs continues to progress – With a fourth place in Phoenix, Ty Gibbs has positioned himself with two consecutive top 5 finishes, showing optimism with his team and his performance on the track.
Loser: Zilisch can’t find his rhythm – Connor Zilisch has had a complicated start as a rookie, with several accidents and mechanical problems placing him in a poor position in the standings, which will require a significant change in the upcoming races.
