AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Ryan Blaney was fastest of NASCAR's championship contenders Friday in the only practice session ahead of the title-deciding season finale Sunday at Phoenix Raceway.
“Ryan Blaney gets around Phoenix really, really well,” said Blaney crew chief Jonathan Hassler.
Blaney was third and followed by Christopher Bell, who is one of the final four drivers racing for the title.
William Byron, winner at Phoenix in the spring, was seventh fastest and Kyle Larson was the slowest driver of the title contenders in 11th.
Bell is the lone Toyota representative and driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, which last won a title with Kyle Busch in 2019.
Persons:
— Ryan Blaney, “ Ryan Blaney, ”, Blaney, Jonathan Hassler, “ There's, ” Kyle Busch, Bubba Wallace, Christopher Bell, William Byron, Kyle Larson, Larson, “, Cliff Daniels, I've, ” Daniels, Bell, Byron, Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, Joe Gibbs, Kyle Busch
Organizations:
Phoenix Raceway, Phoenix, Chevrolet, Martinsville Speedway, Team Penske, Hendrick Motorsports, Toyota
Locations:
AVONDALE, Ariz, Phoenix, NASCAR's