By John Schutt
NASCAR Cup Series Championship, Phoenix Raceway, Avondale, Ariz., 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 7.
It was the final race this season and only four racers had collected enough points win. Two racers were from Hendrick Motorsports, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson, and two from Joe Gibbs Racing, Martin Truex, Jr. and Denny Hamlin.
The winner of the race and Cup champion was Larson, who won nine other races this year. In second place was Truex, Jr.. Hamlin and Blaney were in third and fourth places..
In the first stage, Bubba Wallace got bumped and hit the wall. The first stage was won by Truex., Jr. Stage two was won by Elliott. Larson was stage three race winner.
It was announced that Brad Keselowski was to leave Penski Motorsports after the race!
Larson was not allowed to race last year because of a racial slur.
NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity 500, Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville Va., Sunday, Oct. 30.
Alex Bowman pulled off the victory followed by Kyle Busch in second, Keselowski in third, Truex, Jr. in fourth, and William Byron in fifth.
First stage was won by Elliott over Larson. The second stage was won by Elliott.
With a 100 laps to go Daniel Suarez spun out and hit the wall.
Truex, Jr. took the lead after pit stops. A few laps later Hamlin took the lead. Hamlin and Bowman were in a battle for first. On a turn, with Hamlin in the lead, Bowman tapped Hamlin’s car, which spun out. Bowman crossed the finished line to win the race.