Phoenix Serves as Preview to Postseason...and ISM notes

Oh hey, Kyle Busch got his 199th career win in all three of NASCAR’s top series, in case you didn’t pay attention to the FOX commentating crew all season.

While Busch notched his 52nd career Monster Energy Cup Series win at Phoenix (sorry, ISM Raceway), viewers were treated to what I believe to be a preview to the 2019 Race to the Chase.

Busch passed Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney with 15 laps to go to win his first race of 2019 and led a race-high 177 laps. Did any one of us really doubt he would win soon?

Penske drivers had another noteworthy day Sunday despite Brad Keselowski’s troubles: Ryan Blaney won the first stage and finished third, and Joey Logano got his third top 10 of the season.

Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin also finished in the top five, making for a near-banner day for JGR (thanks, Erik Jones).

Penske and Gibbs are the only teams with winning drivers this season, and this back-and-forth rivalry should be expected throughout the season. In total, Gibbs drivers have led a total of 268 laps in four races, second only to Team Penske, whose drivers have led a total of 317 laps this season.

As for the second ISM Raceway race in November, expect to see the championship favorites in the front, including Kyle Busch, who won last season’s fall race, and at least one Penske driver make their case. Oh, and Kevin Harvick too, who had an uncharacteristically quiet day Sunday.

I still believe we are in the Year of Ford, and Stewart-Haas Racing will win races this season, but Penske and Gibbs drivers have so far made their case for why they should be considered championship favorites. Tune in next week when Truex repeats at Auto Club!

Sadly, for Toyota’s sake, Joe Gibbs Racing and its technical ally, Leavine Family Racing, are the only major teams sporting the car manufacturer this season. Perhaps more Chevrolet teams will pivot after experiencing more impending struggles with the Camaro.

Notes from Phoenix:

• Kurt Busch continues his success with Chip Ganassi Racing, notching his third consecutive top 10 of 2019 at Phoenix.

• Chase Elliott finished 14th and on the lead lap despite an early penalty and a late-race spin. Give this man a beer and wings from Hooters. He needs it.

• Second runner-up finish of the season for Martin Truex Jr. He’s going to win soon.

• Aric Almirola is so far proving 2018 was not a fluke with his third consecutive top-10 finish of the season.