We heard from numerous drivers this weekend about how they just could not pass on track under race conditions. Again and again we hear from driver after driver such as Toyota drivers Bubba Wallace and Martin Truex Jr that passing just wasn’t possible. The broadcasters at FOX really didn’t help that argument either, only showing certain battles.

“We can’t F*cking pass with these cars!” -Martin Truex Jr
“Whatever the hardest thing y’all done in life… It aint got shit on trying to pass here in Phoenix.” -Bubba Wallace.

Turns out, that just wasn’t true, passing was in abundance at Phoenix. In fact, there were 229 more passes during Sunday’s race than any race at Phoenix since the introduction of the Gen 7 car.

Race winner Christopher Bell proved that late in the race by going from 21st on lap 221 to the lead. Overall, Bell led the field making 84 quality passes during the race. His teammate Martin Truex Jr, who complained on the radio made 3rd most with 54 quality passes during the race. Fellow quoted driver Bubba Wallace made only 14 quality passes.
Quality passes – 931 total between all 40 entries

Kyle Larson led the field in total number of green flag passing on Sunday with 113 with race winner Christopher Bell making 108. There were 19 green flag passes for the lead throughout the race with a grand total of 2,813 green flag passes. That is the most for the Gen 7 car at Phoenix Raceway. (5 races since March of 2022) With the lowest number coming that first March race with 2,058.

March ’22 2,058
Nov. ’22 2,065
March ’23 2,584
Nov. ’23 2,201

Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images