Relive the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway that saw Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, William Byron and Christopher Bell go toe-to-toe for the Bill France Cup.
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00:00 It's time to find out who the champion of 2023 will be.
00:07 William Byron, martin Truex Jr.
00:10 Green flag is in the air.
00:24 >> Through one and two clean.
00:25 Now the fight for second is on.
00:27 Harvick on the inside.
00:28 Truex Jr.
00:30 On the outside.
00:31 >> As his first lap finishes, the nerves will settle in for the drivers.
00:33 We heard Kyle Larson.
00:34 He just wanted to know what he had in his race car.
00:37 He's getting that right away as he makes a dive onto the flat.
00:40 Three wide for second.
00:43 >> Into turn one.
00:45 He's trying to hug that yellow line.
00:46 Up the racetrack he goes.
00:48 That makes Harvick have to go up a little bit higher than he wanted to.
00:51 >> The 5 of Larson.
00:52 Talked about that car being loose in practice on entry.
00:54 Probably a little bit nervous about sending that car into the corner underneath the 4
00:59 for the first time.
01:00 >> Just two laps to go in stage one.
01:03 William Byron in the spring LED 64 laps in his win here.
01:07 He ran top five all the three laps.
01:10 We'll see if he can keep that up.
01:12 Now the 4 gets to his inside for the lead.
01:15 >> Kevin Harvick has been working the bottom of the racetrack.
01:18 He makes good time on corner entry.
01:20 He's able to really roll right here.
01:23 >> The lap car is up in the top groove in front of the 24.
01:26 That takes away a little grip.
01:27 In three and four, Byron pulls back ahead down the front straightaway.
01:32 >> Now the final lap of stage one.
01:36 And Harvick.
01:37 >> Again -- >> Hugging that yellow line.
01:39 >> Again at the top of the racetrack, Rick.
01:41 That lap traffic is giving it -- making it a little difficult on the 24.
01:45 But he clears again.
01:49 >> It's Todd Gilliland just in front of the 24.
01:51 Both go down to the yellow line through three and four.
01:55 And William Byron is going to come out of four.
01:57 He will win stage one.
02:00 >> Ross Chastain, big fight there at the end as Harvick gets second.
02:04 But Chastain right on his back bumper.
02:06 As we get underway with stage two.
02:16 Another great restart.
02:18 As the 1 now of Ross Chastain fighting for the second spot with Harvick.
02:25 >> A big wiggle, a big aggressive move out of the 20 of Christopher Bell.
02:35 Ryan Blaney gained a couple on pit road.
02:38 Here he is inside the top ten.
02:40 Bell as well with the pit cycle running eighth.
02:43 >> Really tight off of turn two.
02:44 >> Had to make an extremely aggressive move to try to get underneath Busch.
02:49 When he did, look at the rear tires.
02:53 Actually left a little rubber on the racetrack.
02:54 >> The car almost spun to the right.
02:57 When he makes this move, the car almost spins to the right.
03:01 Very reminiscent of how cars drove down the back straightaway at Rockingham and worn out
03:05 racetracks.
03:06 But look at him.
03:07 Had to wreck that race car right there.
03:09 I bet that surprised him.
03:10 You don't make those type of moves often.
03:11 You don't know how the car is going to unload.
03:15 Almost spun out there, Dave.
03:16 >> As we're seeing it heat up up front.
03:18 Here comes Harvick.
03:19 >> Harvick has been working the top of the racetrack, Rick.
03:22 He's got good speed.
03:23 He's going to be able to get alongside the 24 down the back straightaway.
03:27 Byron allows this to happen.
03:29 Byron sees this coming.
03:30 He's like, man, I'm not going to drive hard trying to keep you behind me.
03:33 I'll let you go.
03:34 Maybe he learned something from this 4 car watching Harvick run around this racetrack.
03:38 He's so good here.
03:39 I would get behind this guy, see what he's doing, how he's making time.
03:43 >> If I'm Rudy Fugle, that's the instructions I'm giving him.
03:45 I know we're racing the 5, the 20, the 12.
03:48 We've led every lap.
03:49 92 laps.
03:50 Let's settle in behind the 4.
03:52 I think he's a little better.
03:53 The 1 might be a little better than us.
03:55 Let's figure out where.
03:56 Give me feedback on what you think we need with our car.
03:58 The other three of the championship 4 are going to continue to improve.
04:01 We have to start adjusting on it.
04:03 >> The last time Harvick finished outside the top ten, none of the champ 4 drivers had
04:07 even started a cup race.
04:09 If you want to follow someone that knows how to get around here, there's your guy.
04:12 >> The 12 of Ryan Blaney has really looked like he's been shot out of a rocket here.
04:17 It's unbelievable what he just did.
04:19 He went from being about a second behind these two to going right by him three wide.
04:25 Blaney now has the advantage over the other two.
04:28 >> He sat back there and watched his 20 and his 5 battle.
04:31 He was able to regroup.
04:32 Caught him in a situation down in turn one and two.
04:35 He was able to go underneath and by them both.
04:39 Now the 17 of Chris Buescher is closed in, taking another position away from the 5 of
04:42 Larson.
04:43 Larson just a little bit off today.
04:45 Just a little bit of struggle in the balance of this race car.
04:49 Can they make the adjustments on pit road to help this 5 out?
04:54 >> This is what we've seen lately from this guy.
04:55 He has had good long run speed the last two weeks.
04:58 He's got it again today.
05:00 >> He just can't clear that 24 right now.
05:03 >> Running very high.
05:05 >> That's what makes this racetrack amazing.
05:08 On all tires.
05:10 Drivers running different lines, especially using that high line at this racetrack.
05:14 Now I think the 12 is in a great spot.
05:16 He's going to drive up the racetrack.
05:18 Nothing Byron can do about that.
05:20 >> The first of the championship four to be eliminated is going to be Christopher Bell.
05:24 As he got into the wall, he's been talking about brake problems.
05:30 >> Clear.
05:33 >> It's all on you now, bud.
05:42 >> It's open.
05:43 Brake tip's open.
05:44 >> We're in the wall, guys.
05:47 >> We're on board.
05:48 You can hear it.
05:49 As soon as he touches the brake pedal, the right front rotor explodes.
05:53 It looks like it's a flat.
05:54 In the end, it is a flat tire.
05:55 The rotor goes through the wheel.
05:57 The tire goes down.
05:58 The 20 of Christopher Bell has no option but straight into the wall.
06:01 We heard him complaining about brakes.
06:03 The radio you heard was the crew chief coming back saying, hey, it's all on you.
06:07 There's no more cooling available.
06:09 You see right here parts and pieces of the brakes coming off.
06:13 Heavy damage day over.
06:14 Right here, look.
06:15 This is important.
06:16 See where that spark is?
06:18 That's basically contact between the wheel and the caliper.
06:20 >> During that pit stop, Blaney did not have a good stop.
06:24 He went from third to seventh.
06:28 >> Two by two once again.
06:31 Up front.
06:32 Byron, the furthest forward of the championship four running in the fourth position.
06:38 You see him fighting to the inside here.
06:43 For that second spot.
06:44 >> What a mess it is back there in row five and on back.
06:50 Four wide, five wide, six wide.
06:54 >> The restarts get crazier as the race goes on.
06:57 Contact right there.
06:58 The 44 of Brees is up to track his teammate.
07:02 Briscoe gets into his left rear quarter panel.
07:03 >> How are they going to blend in with all these cars?
07:06 It's going to be difficult in turn three.
07:08 >> Right now, the white green flag about to come out for Chris Buescher as he is on the
07:15 final lap of stage two.
07:18 Buescher has been impressive.
07:21 Up front for 14 laps of this stage.
07:24 He was able to get by Ross Chastain looking for his second stage win this season.
07:30 As he comes out of four, it's Chris Buescher that wins stage two.
07:39 After the top ten across the start/finish line, the caution will come out.
07:47 These cars will make their way now to pit road.
07:51 The final stage is underway of championship weekend.
07:59 Ross Chastain leading the race.
08:01 Right now, the 24 of William Byron leading the championship fight.
08:07 Byron going on the outside of the 19 trying to stay in second in front of martin Truex
08:12 Jr.
08:13 He has the momentum but he can't quite clear it as they go into three.
08:17 >> Blaney picks off the spot from the 5 of Larson.
08:20 Larson battling back on the outside here.
08:24 Larson lined up in the inside line where the control car of Chastain was and it gave him
08:29 that advantage on the launch to be able to beat the 5 through turns one and two.
08:35 >> Things heating up now in the championship battle as Blaney has got to the inside of
08:39 Byron.
08:40 Again, whichever one finishes in front of the other two now on the racetrack will be
08:46 crowned the champion.
08:48 >> He has found something in this 12 car as he's been able to clear now William Byron
08:53 and he takes that spot away.
08:55 >> The last handful of laps this 12 car woke up, drove around the 19.
08:59 A truex now drives up to the back bumper and around the 24 into second place.
09:04 >> Left rear quarter panel has to get out of the gas a bit.
09:07 >> That was close.
09:08 >> Yeah.
09:09 >> Oh, Blaney.
09:10 >> Blaney into the back of the 1.
09:14 Here comes the 19.
09:15 Martin Truex Jr.
09:16 Three wide for the lead.
09:23 Chastain shooting back out in front.
09:25 But Blaney now on the bottom of the racetrack getting aggravated.
09:30 >> Be smart here, best.
09:33 Be smart.
09:35 >> Blaney has a pretty good position on him in this corner.
09:37 >> Be smart here, best.
09:40 Be smart.
09:42 >> Spotter letting him know.
09:43 Big picture.
09:44 Be smart.
09:45 >> Blaney is in front.
09:46 He takes the lead away from Chastain.
09:48 >> Chastain trying to get back underneath him, though.
09:56 >> Martin Truex Jr.
09:57 Might be the faster car of the three as he's closed the gap now.
10:01 >> Most contact for the 12 into the outside wall.
10:04 >> 51 laps remaining in the season and this championship hunt.
10:11 >> That 19 right there is bothering that 12 just a little bit on entry there.
10:17 >> Whoa, Blaney way loose.
10:19 >> Big, big wobble.
10:22 >> They're trying to talk Blaney down.
10:23 >> Keep digging.
10:24 Keep in the hunt.
10:25 The 12 is melting down.
10:26 Stay in the freaking hunt.
10:27 He's only two out of you.
10:28 >> My man Rudy Fugel is scanning and he is selling.
10:33 I love it.
10:34 The 12 is melting down.
10:36 You know him.
10:38 He can imagine it.
10:40 >> That's a motivational radio right there.
10:42 You can hear the excitement.
10:43 I'm looking at him.
10:44 That is a red-faced, fired up Rudy Fugel.
10:47 >> Back in the air.
10:50 Now just 31 laps to go.
10:53 >> Did not get a good launch.
10:57 >> Three wide per second.
10:59 Larson way down on the apron.
11:01 Here comes the one of Chastain.
11:03 Big momentum on the outside.
11:05 Now the 11 of Hamlin fighting back.
11:11 >> Blaney on the outside of Byron back there.
11:13 Takes that spot away.
11:14 He's in a pretty good position right here.
11:16 The 5 gets off this corner low and bottled up.
11:20 Larson has to clear these two guys.
11:23 If not, they're going to be right on him from behind.
11:27 >> Larson up the racetrack.
11:28 And he slides up in front of the 11.
11:31 The one way up against the wall.
11:33 Larson trying to take the lead away.
11:35 Right hand to lift right there.
11:38 The 24 takes that spot back away.
11:40 Byron.
11:41 >> Larson can't clear the one.
11:44 He's in front of the other two champ 4 contenders.
11:47 Now a big run by the 12 of Blaney.
11:50 He tries to go to the high side.
11:51 The 24 of Byron way down cutting the dog lane.
11:56 >> Drifts up the racetrack right in front of the 12.
11:58 He gets a little loose.
11:59 >> Larson big loose right there.
12:00 Now Blaney to the outside.
12:01 Larson slides up the racetrack.
12:08 Trying to take the line away.
12:11 >> For the championship.
12:12 Now less than 21 laps to go.
12:16 >> Contact right there.
12:20 >> Blaney, can he clear him?
12:26 He does.
12:27 Blaney in front of Larson.
12:28 >> What does Larson do?
12:32 How does he bring the fight back to this 12?
12:37 He wants to jump on the right rear quarter panel as well.
12:40 Trying to take that line away.
12:43 >> Still a long way to go.
12:46 Nothing out back.
12:47 You and him.
12:48 >> Now one lap to go.
12:49 Presented by credit one bank.
12:50 >> One more.
12:51 >> Chastain looking for the race win.
12:52 Blaney.
12:53 Looking for a championship.
13:05 Chastain down the back stretch for the final time.
13:08 Blaney is going to run in his tire tracks.
13:10 You know, winning is in his family's DNA.
13:14 Ryan has just crested the mountain of all wins.
13:18 And Blaney is a NASCAR cup series champion.
13:23 >> Thank you, guys.
13:26 I'm getting emotional.
13:29 Thank you, guys.
13:30 What an awesome year, man.
13:31 Thank you so much.
13:32 Can't wait to celebrate with you guys.
13:33 Thanks for giving me a shot.
13:34 >> Hell of a job, driver.
13:35 Proud of you for sticking with it all year.
13:36 Way to go, team 12.
13:37 >> I'm going to go to the back of the car.
13:38 >> I'm going to go to the back of the car.
13:39 >> I'm going to go to the back of the car.
13:40 >> I'm going to go to the back of the car.
13:41 >> I'm going to go to the back of the car.
13:42 >> I'm going to go to the back of the car.
13:43 >> I'm going to go to the back of the car.
13:44 >> I'm going to go to the back of the car.
13:51 >> I'm going to go to the back of the car.
13:52 >> I'm going to go to the back of the car.
13:53 >> I'm going to go to the back of the car.
13:54 >> I'm going to go to the back of the car.
13:55 >> I'm going to go to the back of the car.
13:56 >> I'm going to go to the back of the car.
13:57 >> I'm going to go to the back of the car.