Chastain was eradicated early within the Cup playoffs and led only one lap within the earlier 9 races, however his Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet led 157 of the 312 laps on Sunday.
Chastain misplaced his lead in the course of the ultimate spherical of inexperienced flag pit stops, however repassed Kyle Larson on a restart with 30 laps to go to and held off a late cost from Blaney to earn his second win of 2023.
After Chastain took management of the race, Crew Penske Ford driver Blaney and Larson’s Hendrick Motorsport Chevrolet engaged in a fierce battle for the runner-up place, which might determine the championship winner. Blaney lastly emerged with the place with 19 laps to go.
It was the primary time for the reason that present playoff format debuted in 2014 that the champion didn’t win the season finale, not that it mattered a bit for Blaney who adopted up Joey Logano’s title final 12 months to make it two in a row for crew proprietor Roger Penske.
“Unbelievable 12 months, unbelievable playoffs for us,” mentioned Blaney, who fought again from sixth on the finish of Stage 2. “To win back-to-back Cup titles for Penske, that’s so particular.
“Having my household right here, profitable my first Cup title, I obtained emotional within the automotive. I’m not a really emotional man.”
Larson ended up third within the race, his team-mate and fellow title contender William Byron was fourth after taking pole place and profitable the opening Stage, whereas Stage 2 winner Chris Buescher (RFK Ford) rounded out the highest 5.
Remaining title contender Christopher Bell was knocked out of rivalry when he blew a brake rotor and slammed the wall on lap 108, inflicting in depth harm to his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.
Picture by: Ben Earp / NKP / Motorsport Images
Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing, Worldwide Specific Chevrolet Camaro
Finishing the top-10 have been Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick in his ultimate Cup race, Denny Hamlin, Michael McDowell and Bubba Wallace.
Requested what was going by means of his thoughts within the ultimate laps, Blaney mentioned: “No yellow, I didn’t need a warning. As soon as I obtained to the white [flag], felt fairly good about it.
“It’s nearly getting there, ending it off. Didn’t need a yellow. Everybody saved it straight.
“I wish to shout-out additionally Kyle and William, that was enjoyable racing these guys all day, and [Christopher] Bell, sadly he broke.
“Racing these two guys on the finish, racing clear, that’s what racing is all about. It was loads of enjoyable.”
NASCAR Cup Phoenix Race Outcomes