Trending Now - Ryan Blaney Wins at Phoenix, Halting Reddick's Winning Run

WHO:

Ryan Blaney, driver for Team Penske

Tyler Reddick, driver for 23XI Racing, owned by Michael Jordan

Christopher Bell, driver for Joe Gibbs Racing

Kyle Larson, reigning Cup champion, driver for Hendrick Motorsports

Denny Hamlin, driver for Joe Gibbs Racing

Ty Gibbs, driver for Joe Gibbs Racing

Joey Logano, driver for Team Penske

Anthony Alfredo, driver for Hendrick Motorsports

Alex Bowman, driver for Hendrick Motorsports

David Malukas, IndyCar driver for Team Penske

Josef Newgarden, IndyCar driver for Team Penske

WHAT:

Ryan Blaney won the Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway, marking his 18th career victory.

Blaney's victory ended Tyler Reddick's attempt to win four consecutive races to start the 2026 NASCAR season.

The race featured a record-tying 12 cautions, primarily due to tire failures.

Christopher Bell finished second, Kyle Larson finished third, and Ty Gibbs finished fourth.

Tyler Reddick finished eighth in the race.

Blaney collected significant stage points, moving him to second place in the championship standings, 60 points behind Reddick.

WHERE:

Phoenix Raceway, Avondale, Arizona

WHEN:

The race took place on March 5th, 2026.

The 2026 NASCAR Cup season consists of 36 races.

WHY:

Blaney's win was significant as it marked the first victory of the season for Ford.

Reddick was attempting to match Jimmie Johnson's record of four consecutive wins at the Cup level, last achieved in 2007.

HOW:

Blaney overcame three tire problems during the race and took the lead with 10 laps remaining after passing 49 cars.

Blaney's team executed a strategy of taking two tires during the final pit stop, while Bell and Hamlin took four tires.

(UPDATED March 9, 2026 13:20 UTC)

Ryan Blaney secured his 18th career victory at Phoenix Raceway last Monday, marking the first win of the season for Ford and ending Tyler Reddick's bid for four consecutive wins to start the NASCAR season. Blaney overcame three tire problems during the race and took the lead with just ten laps to go, while Christopher Bell finished in second and Kyle Larson in third. The race was notable for tying a record with 12 cautions, primarily due to tire failures, and Blaney's performance has moved him to second in the championship standings, 60 points behind Reddick.