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The Xfinity Series finalists will also have plenty to race for, with $2,151,939 up for grabs, well above last season’s $1,772,722. Meanwhile, the Truck Series team will bye for a $1,160,400 payday, a significant jump from the $822,570 awarded a year ago. Previewing the NASCAR Championship Finale at Phoenix Since Kyle Larson’s 2021 Cup Championship win, Team Penske has largely ruled the finale stage. Logano captured the title in 2022 as the Next Gen era dawned on NASCAR, followed by Ryan Blaney’s run to glory in 2023 after finishing P2 behind Ross Chastain in the finale race. Last year again, Logano pulled off one of the season’s most improbable turnarounds, earning a second life after being knocked out in the Round of 8 and reinstated when Alex Bowman was disqualified, before seizing the chance to go for the crown. This season, though, the play looks different. Apart from William Byron, the other three contenders are returning to the championship finale after at least a two-year gap, while for Chase Briscoe, it marks the first title fight of his Cup career. On paper, Denny Hamlin appears to be the driver to beat. Still chasing his first Cup Championship, he boasts a 10.6 average finish in 40 starts at Phoenix, with two wins and 17 top-five results. Larson sits close behind with a 10.7 average finish and one win in 22 starts at the 1-mile-long oval. Byron ranks third among the four finalists, averaging 10.8 at Phoenix with one win in 15 starts. Briscoe, meanwhile, carries an 18.4 average finish across nine starts but does own a 2022 win at the track, proving that on the right day, he can steal the spotlight. It remains to be seen who takes home the biggest trophy in NASCAR this Sunday.
