Since the NASCAR Cup Series was last at Phoenix Raceway in January for the final stages of Next Gen car testing, everyone from the higher-ups to the boots on the ground has leaned in to make the start of the 2022 season a success.
The first three races of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season have produced three different race winners in as many races – Austin Cindric (Daytona), Kyle Larson (Auto Club) and Alex Bowman (Las Vegas) – and three seperate pole winners – Kyle Larson (Daytona), Austin Cindric (Auto Club) and Christopher Bell (Las Vegas).
The racing upfront has been intense. The first three races of the season have produced 25 different lap leaders – the most since 2013 (also with 25) – and an average of 30 lead changes per race – the most through the first three races since 2011 (41.0).
The 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season has produced 194 green flag passes for the lead; the third-most since the Loop Data statistic was initially tabulated in 2007 (last 16 seasons) behind 2014 (246) and 2010 (230).
Now, the series heads to Phoenix Raceway for the Next Gen car’s competitional debut on a 1-mile track for the Ruoff Mortgage 500 this Sunday, March 13 at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Phoenix Raceway has hosted 51 NASCAR Cup Series races prior to this weekend producing 26 different pole winners and 27 different race winners.
Ryan Newman (2002, 2003, 2004, 2008) and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch (2006, 2012, 2016, 2019) lead the series in poles at Phoenix with four each. 11 of the 26 Phoenix Raceway pole winners are active this weekend.
| Rank | Active Pole Winners | Poles | Seasons |
| 1 | Kyle Busch | 4 | 2019, 2016, 2012, 2006 |
| 2 | Ryan Blaney | 2 | 2019, 2017 |
| 3 | Kevin Harvick | 2 | 2018, 2015 |
| 4 | Martin Truex Jr | 2 | 2018, 2009 |
| 5 | Denny Hamlin | 2 | 2014, 2005 |
| 6 | Kyle Larson | 1 | 2021 |
| 7 | Chase Elliott | 1 | 2020 |
| 8 | Joey Logano | 1 | 2017 |
| 9 | Alex Bowman | 1 | 2016 |
| 10 | Brad Keselowski | 1 | 2014 |
| 11 | AJ Allmendinger | 1 | 2010 |
Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick leads the series in wins at Phoenix Raceway with nine victories (2006 sweep, 2012 Playoff race, 2013 Playoff race, 2014 sweep, 2015 Spring race, 2016 Spring race, 2018 Spring race) – the most by an active driver at single track. Eight of the 27 NASCAR Cup Series Phoenix Raceway winners are active this weekend.
| Rank | Active Drivers | Wins | Seasons |
| 1 | Kevin Harvick | 9 | 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014 sweep, 2013, 2012, 2006 sweep |
| 2 | Kyle Busch | 3 | 2019, 2018, 2005 |
| 3 | Joey Logano | 2 | 2020, 2016 |
| 4 | Denny Hamlin | 2 | 2019, 2012 |
| 5 | Kyle Larson | 1 | 2021 |
| 6 | Martin Truex Jr | 1 | 2021 |
| 7 | Chase Elliott | 1 | 2020 |
| 8 | Kurt Busch | 1 | 2005 |
All the action begins with practice on Saturday, March 12 from 1:30 – 2:05 p.m. ET followed by qualifying at 2:05 – 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
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