Chase Briscoe's first victory in the NASCAR Cup Series!

The question of this first career victory for Chase Briscoe was no longer taboo as the driver of the Stewart-Haas Racing seems to have reached a level this season. The choice of the Phoenix oval, setting for the season finale since 2020, can only bode well for the 27-year-old Indiana native. This 1 mile (1,609 km) oval offered a new configuration after the superspeedways and 1,5 mile ovals at the start of the season, and offered a very original layout with a first short segment of 60 laps, and two others almost identical of 125 and 127 turns.

Green Flag in Arizona © NASCAR /Getty

Unlike the first rounds of the season, the start of the race in Arizona was very calm and studious before the competition yellow flag scheduled for the 26th lap. The first sequence of pit stops was on the other hand hectic with penalties for the leader and pole sitter Ryan Blaney, his runner-up Denny Hamlin, and the native Michael McDowell. Immediate application of the sanction and return to the back of the peloton for those guilty of excessive speed in the pits. Kyle Busch for his part stalled in the pitlane losing around twenty places.

Ryan Blaney unhappy in the pits © NASCAR / Getty

The first yellow flag for an incident was finally caused 14 laps from the end of the first segment by Corey Lajoie who exploded his right front axle during contact with the low wall scattering rim and tire on the track. Ryan Blaney took the opportunity to resume his lap by skipping the pit stop before leading the race only to give it up a few laps from the end of the section won by William Byron.

Fierce fight on the track © NASCAR / Getty

The race resumed at a frantic pace until the 119th lap which saw Christopher Bell lose control of his car. Toyota. A godsend for Ryan Blaney who then saw his strategy validated while all the drivers stopped to put on 4 tires. Placed back in the same refueling window as the other drivers, Blaney only had to master his Ford Mustang to take him to victory in the second segment ahead of a very lively Chase Elliott. Dark race for Brad Keselowski and Christopher Bell pushed back one and two laps behind the leaders respectively.

Ryan Blaney unfortunately saw his efforts ruined by a botched stop which pushed him back to fourth position at the start of the final stretch. Race without for the Toyotas pushed beyond the Top 10 and whose best representative Martin Truex Jr. smashed his Camry 90 laps from the finish.

.@MartinTruex_Jr's day is over after heavy contact with the outside wall. pic.twitter.com/C2vtA22YYm

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 13, 2022

On the 240th lap, a thunderclap resounded on the Phoenix enclosure while the championship leader and reigning Champion, Kyle Larson rushed into the pits suffering from an engine failure.

Race without for Kyle Larson © NASCAR / Getty

While Chase Briscoe led the race, Erik Jones lost control of his car resulting in a yellow flag with 24 laps to go. No strategy since all the drivers put on 4 new balls and the race was then restarted for 20 laps. Three drivers looking for a first Cup victory, Briscoe, Tyler Reddick and Ross Chastain then took control of the race in front of veteran Kevin Harvick ready to take advantage of the slightest mistake from these young guns.

Return to form for Kevin Harvick and Stewart-Haas Racing © NASCAR / Getty

With 10 laps to go from the checkered flag, Chase Elliott gave us a little free ride on the main straight and a thrilling final sprint of 3 laps. Chase Briscoe did not tremble and flew to his first victory in the NASCAR Cup Series to ensure qualification for the Playoffs. This return to the forefront of Stewart-Haas Racing can only rejoice us while Ross Chastain, brilliant second, confirms the great impressions left by Trackhouse Racing since the start of the season. Joey Logano took advantage of Elliott's setbacks to take control of the Championship.

Ruoff Mortgage 500 rankings in Phoenix:

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