1. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex finished third at Phoenix as the field of four was finalized for Homestead. "I think the consensus is that I'm the favorite to win the Cup," Truex said. "I totally agree. I'm a big favorite of my odds to win because I like my chances."
Chase Elliott posted a solid afternoon in the Can-Am 500 at Phoenix Raceway and knocked Denny Hamlin out of contention for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship, but got passed in the closing laps and failed to clinch a spot in the Championship 4 title race next week at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
If Matt Kenseth doesn't race in NASCAR again after next Sunday, he went out in a blaze of glory by denying Chase Elliott his golden ticket to the championship round and ending year and a half winless drought in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am 500 at Phoenix Raceway.
Denny Hamlin's day was dominant, but contact with Chase Elliott late in the Can-Am 500 at Phoenix Raceway knocked him out of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
NASCAR heads to Phoenix Raceway this week as all three series have one final race to determine who will comprise their Championship 4. The Camping World Truck Series kicks off the activities Friday evening with the Lucas Oil 150 followed by the XFINITY Series Ticket Galaxy 200 Saturday afternoon. Sunday’s Can-Am 500 will close out the weekend’s events with the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at 2:30 p.m. on NBC.
Ryan Blaney will lead the field to the green flag on Sunday after winning the pole for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am 500 at Phoenix Raceway.
While Jimmie Johnson can mathematically point his way into the championship round, this weekend's Can-Am 500 at Phoenix Raceway is realistically a must-win scenario.
