NASCAR Cup Series

Ryan Blaney, driver of the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion, hits the track at Phoenix International Raceway this weekend and met with media members Friday after the opening practice session to discuss his prospects and the season to date.

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S PRO SERVICES CHEVROLET SS met with media and discussed the new rules package, the tire, his opinion following last week’s race in Las Vegas, athletes on pit crews, and more.

KEVIN HARVICK, NO. 4 JIMMY JOHN’S CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) and discussed his success at PIR, his plans to go home to Bakersfield, California next weekend, his plans for 2017 and many other topics.

In 1988, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series ran its first race at the one-mile oval. Alan Kulwicki scored his first career victory that day. Since then, the deed to the track has practically belonged to one Kevin Michael Harvick.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup and XFINITY Series travel to Phoenix International Raceway this weekend while the Camping World Truck Series is off. Please check below for the complete schedule of events. All times are Eastern. Friday, March 11: On...

“It will be interesting to see how much fall off in the tires we see in practice and how that affects the race strategy,” he said. “In the past, two-tire strategies have been effective at Phoenix, allowing you to gain track position and maintain it throughout the next stint.”

A year ago, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won at Phoenix. Five of the six before that, Kevin Harvick claimed the prize. Now, if anyone could use a win this weekend, Danica Patrick, Chase Elliott, and Clint Bowyer would be among them. They sure are not among the Hot 20 going into Sunday’s action.

Michael Annett and the No. 46 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet team visit Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. for the first of two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races there in 2016.

Phoenix: “I’ve always enjoyed racing at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) and it’s been a good track for me,” said Allmendinger, whose best finish at PIR is sixth (11/13/11). “I really enjoyed it after they did the repave. It took a little bit to get used to."

Las Vegas Recap: Denny Hamlin finished 19th in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, battling a tight #11 FedEx Office Toyota throughout the 267-lap event won by Brad Keselowski.