Sunday’s Cup championship race at Phoenix Raceway will see that trend continue with a new tire combination for this track. It provides an added challenge for title contenders Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, Kyle Larson and William Byron. Hamlin said the new tire combination at this 1-mile oval makes Friday’s 50-minute practice session critical.

One of the best NASCAR Cup Series drivers without a championship is ready to shed that title Sunday at Phoenix Raceway.“I definitely feel optimistic about it,” Denny Hamlin said Thursday during Championship 4 media day.

Denny Hamlin is chasing his first NASCAR championship at Phoenix Raceway. Despite 60 career wins and three Daytona 500 victories, he's known as the greatest driver never to win the Cup.

AVONDALE, Ariz. — Chase Briscoe’s hometown of Mitchell, Indiana, is throwing a watch party in hopes of seeing its native son win his first NASCAR Cup championship on Sunday. Briscoe will race against Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson and William Byron for the title at Phoenix Raceway. NBC and Peacock will broadcast the race.

NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch and his wife Samantha said Tuesday that they had lost over $8 million in a life insurance scheme.

Christopher Bell was digesting the disappointment of a second consecutive year of being eliminated from NASCAR Cup Series championship contention at Martinsville Speedway when he offered an astute observation about those who are title contenders.

Rick Ware Racing — Good news: Cody Ware finished 24th at Phoenix in March, his best finish in eight Cup starts there. Bad news: Ware has finished 30th or worse in the last six races.

Things are going to be changing for Ross Chastain next season. Trackhouse Racing is making a move at crew chief. Phil Surgen is on his way out after spending the last four years with Chastain.