Craftsman 150
Friday, November 3rd @ 10:00PM EST
Three Champions will be crowned this weekend with the first being in the Craftsman Truck Series. Carson Hocevar wrapped up the Round of 8 two weeks ago in Homestead-Miami with a win. Hocevar ran down Ben Rhodes, albeit on a Hail Mary strategy, in the waning laps to officially clinch his spot in the Championship 4.
Making Up The Championship 4
Corey Heim: Despite missing one race over the summer due to illness, has had a stellar year with 3 wins and more notably, leading the series in top fives with 12.
Carson Hocevar: Hocevar has undoubtedly had a breakout campaign in 2023. He has finally started to overcome some of the struggles he has had with closing out races. He also leads the series in wins with 4 and has only less top five than Corey Heim with 11.
Ben Rhodes: It has been a slow year for 2021 Series Champion Ben Rhodes. His lone win came in May at Charlotte and he has accumulated only 6 Top Fives.
Grant Enfinger: Enfinger enters the Phoenix Finale as someone who should not be overlooked. His M.O. this year has been flat and fast tracks with 2 of his 3 wins coming at Gateway and Milwaukee which share some characteristics with Phoenix.
Names To Watch
Marco Andretti: Andretti is making just his second oval start in NASCAR. Last time out at Homestead-Miami, Andretti brought it home a solid 18th.
Derek Kraus: Kraus will be returning to the Craftsman Truck Series this weekend in Phoenix as Marco Andretti’s teammate for Spire Motorsports. Kraus has spent most of this season as a part-time driver for Kaulig Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Jesse Love: The 2023 ARCA Menards Series Champion will be making his 3rd start of the year for Tricon Garage in his last hurrah for Toyota before he heads to RCR in the Xfinity Series in 2024.
Most Recent Winner at Phoenix: Zane Smith
My Pick To Win the Race: Zane Smith
My Pick To Win the Championship: Carson Hocevar
NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship
Saturday, November 4th @ 7:00PM EST
The NASCAR Xfinity Series is fresh off of a dramatic finish in Martinsville that saw Richard Childress, Andy Petree, AND Austin Hill rip into Sheldon Creed post-race, as well as Creed getting beat by Justin Allgaier in a thrilling photo finish. Allgaier joined Sam Mayer, John H. Nemechek, and Cole Custer in the Championship 4 with his last corner pass on Creed and Hill.
Making Up The Championship 4
Sam Mayer: Up until about thee last four months, questions were starting to be asked about whether Sam Mayer has what it takes to succeed in NASCAR. All of sudden Mayer has 4 wins and has announced himself as a legitimate threat for the title. Mayer is especially dangerous because he doesn’t dominate races but he has been finding ways to win. Mayer should not be written off until the checkered flag flies Saturday Night.
Justin Allgaier: It has been a unique year for Justin Allgaier. He has seemingly checked off several tracks that he wanted to win at. All 4 of his wins came at tracks he was either yet to win at or hadn’t won in a long, long time.
John H. Nemechek: Nemechek has had a career year. He has been the most consistent driver in the series with 7 wins and 17 Top Fives. He won at New Hampshire earlier this year which shares some similarities with Phoenix.
Cole Custer: In his return to the Xfinity Series, Cole Custer has made it all the way to the Championship 4. Stewart-Haas Racing as a whole has picked up the pace in recent weeks on the ovals. Custer has won two races this season, both at road courses.
Names To Watch
Rajah Caruth: Caruth will be making his 12th Xfinity Series start of the year. However, it will be a truly once in a lifetime opportunity as Caruth will be piloting the #17 for Hendrick Motorsports. Caruth will be getting his big break this weekend and will certainly be someone to keep an eye on.
Brandon Jones: Jones has had success at Phoenix in the past, when in the Spring of 2020 he beat Kyle Busch outright. It has also been a tough year for him, so he will certainly be looking to end the year on high note.
Sheldon Creed: Sheldon Creed is looking to make the most during his lame duck season with RCR, one that is coming to a sour end. It will be interesting to see if Creed can right the ship this weekend before handing the reigns to Jesse Love next year, and seemingly heading to Joe Gibbs Racing.
Most Recent Winner at Phoenix: Sammy Smith
My Pick To Win the Race: Justin Allgaier
My Pick To Win the Championship: Justin Allgaier
NASCAR Cup Series Championship
Sunday, November 5th @ 3:00PM EST
Ryan Blaney ran down Aric Almirola in the closing stages to win at Martinsville last weekend, locking himself into the Championship 4 for the first time in his career. Meanwhile, it didn’t come as easy for William Byron, he just lacked speed all weekend. He was still able to make up spots late to recover a 13th place finish, which was enough to also get him to his first Championship 4 appearance.
Making Up The Championship 4
Ryan Blaney: A slow year for Penske and to a lesser extent Ford has culminated in Blaney’s first career Championship 4 appearance. Blaney has won 3 races this season, winning 2 of the last 5. He is chasing his first Championship and Team Penske’s second straight.
Christopher Bell: Bell’s 2 wins are the least of any Championship 4 driver. But, what can’t be overstated is how good he has been in Qualifying this season with 6 poles. Qualifying should be rather important this weekend in Phoenix. Another pole effort like that could put Christopher Bell in prime position to clinch his first title on Sunday.
Kyle Larson: Kyle Larson needs no introduction. What has been an up and down year for Larson, turned itself around as the Playoffs arrived. He has been much more consistent and turned himself into one of the favorites.
William Byron: Byron has had a breakout year. He has arguably been the best driver all year long. He has earned himself 6 Wins, 14 Top Fives, 20 Top Tens, and his average finish of 11.2 is the best of the Championship 4 drivers.
Names To Watch
Kevin Harvick: In his swan song race weekend, Harvick will get one last opportunity to add to his career win total and add to his win total at one of his best tracks.
Aric Almirola: Almirola is saying goodbye to full-time NASCAR competition. Last weekend in Martinsville, he showed he is most definitely still capable of contending for wins. Don’t count him out this weekend.
Chase Elliott: Elliott has had a bad year. It’s that simple. But he has one last opportunity to keep from going winless.
Most Recent Winner at Phoenix: William Byron
My Pick To Win the Race: William Byron
My Pick To Win the Championship: William Byron
