NASCAR
William Byron Gets Back-to-Back wins in Phoenix Overtime Thriller
AVONDALE, Ariz. – For the second week in a row, William Byron wins big in the NASCAR Cup Series. Much like Las Vegas a week ago, the 24 team came in clutch on pit road facing an overtime finish. Even with restarting second, Byron was able to pass teammate Kyle Larson by the white flag and hold on for career win number six. As the lone driver with multiple wins so far in 2023, is Byron now a championship favorite?
In shades of last week’s domination, William Byron took over on lap two and led the remainder of Stage 1. Teammate Kyle Larson edged the 24 off pit road between Stages, and led for most of Stage 2.
Starting Stage 3 up front, Larson appeared on rails en route to a dominant victory. With a stronger long run car though, Kevin Harvick stalked down Larson and made the pass with 44 laps left. As laps wound down, the 4 drove off into the desert sunset and seemingly towards a record 10th Phoenix win. A caution with 10 laps left would erase a five-second lead though for Harvick, bringing the field back in contention.
Caution for an incident with the No. 21. pic.twitter.com/s3OpHr440H
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 12, 2023
While Harvick’s crew put on four new tires, six teams gambled by changing only two and beat Harvick off pit road. Larson would regain the lead with the first pit stall, while Harvick was buried in seventh.
The initial restart lasted less than half a lap, as a turn two stack up forced another yellow. In overtime, Byron lined up to Larson’s outside and stayed even through turn two. At the white flag, Byron was clear of a three-wide battle behind him, taking his second-consecutive win.
“I owe the last couple of weeks to (Rudy Fugle),” Byron said. “He’s done a really good job strategy-wise and execution-wise we’ve done a good job to put ourselves in those positions on the front row with a shot at the end. Thanks to everyone back at Hendrick Motorsports, putting together great cars and doing a great job. This is a big credit to all of them, the engine shop, Mr. Hendrick, everyone.”
“Cool to have Valvoline back on the car, really historic looking paint scheme, nice to get it in victory lane.”
Behind Byron, the top-10 were Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson, Kevin Harvick, Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, Kyle Busch, Alex Bowman, and Josh Berry.
Chevrolets have swept victory lane for the first four weeks of 2023. This has not happened with one manufacturer since Chevrolet in 2001. The bowtie was well represented in the Phoenix top-10, with all four Hendrick cars plus Kyle Busch putting five of them up front.
Up next for the NASCAR Cup Series is Atlanta Motor Speedway, where Byron won a year ago. The Ambetter Health 400 will go green Sunday at 3:00 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Can Byron keep his hot streak alive, or will another manufacturer break into victory lane?
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Hendrick Motorsports via Twitter
