By John Schutt
NASCAR Cup Series championship, Phoenix Raceway, Phoenix, Ariz, Sunday, Nov. 5.
The final four included Joe Logano, Ross Chastain, Chris Bell and Chase Elliott. Only one of those four could be the champion and Joe Logano won his second NASCAR (National Association of Auto Car Racing) championship. Following Logano, in order, were Ryan Blaney, second, Ross Chastain, third, Chase Bristole fourth, and Kevin Harvick, fifth. Pole-sitters were Logano and Ryan Blaney.
The first stage was won by Logano, followed by teammate Blaney in second stage.
Chase Elliott spun out early in the third stage with contender Chastain involved. Logano drove a flawless race and won his second championship for the Roger Penski team.
NASCAR Xfinity Series championship, Phoenix Raceway, Phoenix, Ariz, Sunday, Nov. 5.
Ty Gibbs won the Xfinity Championship! Sadly, that night Ty’s father and co-owner of Gibbs Motorsport, Coy Gibbs, died unexpectedly.
NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity 500, Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville ,Va., Sunday, Oct. 22.
Joe Gibbs driver Christopher Bell won the race and the first stage. Following in second was Kyle Larson second, Ryan Blaney third, Ross Chastain fourth, and Hamlin fifth.
The race will be remembered for the spectacular move Chastain made on the last lap of the race! He put his car up next to the wall on the last lap and floored, to use the wall to control direction of the car. By doing so he passed cars to end up in fifth position. The unconventional maneuver brought him one more point than Denny Hamlin to qualify for the final four in the championship
Bell beat Larson by less than a second of time. Brad Keselowski finished in fourth place, however, his car did not pass post-race inspection and was put in last place!
The race was Bell’s third victory for the season. The victory was the 200th NASCAR victory for Joe Gibbs racing.
NASCAR Cup Series, Dixie Vodka 400, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 23.
Larson dominated the race by leading 199 laps, won the first stage and second stage, and was the eventual winner. Following Larson was Chastain in second, Allmendinger in third, Austin Dillon in fourth, and Keselowski in fifth.
In the second stage Chris Bristole hit wall with five laps remaining and received a DNF (did not finish).
NASCAR Cup Series, Bank of America Roval 400, Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, Concord N.C., Sunday, Oct. 9.
On the final lap Bell took the lead and won with Harvick in second, Kyle Busch in third, Almendinger in fourth, and Justin Haley in fifth.
Other NASCAR news:
• Kyle Busch will be driving a Chevy next year for Richard Childress.
• Brother Kurt Busch will drive on a limiter schedule. He has yet to drive since his conclusion.
• Jim Johnson will leave Indy Car and is buying in to the Richard Petty team and will drive a few times, including the Daytona 500 next year!