NASCAR

Joey Logano held off Kyle Busch to win the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum on Sunday.

Despite the small nature of the track, Busch was unable to gain much ground on Logano during the race's final stages.

The No. 22 car finished with a 0.877-second cushion on the runner-up. Austin Dillon was a relatively distant third, crossing the finish line 3.225 seconds after the winner.

RETWEET TO CONGRATULATE JOEY LOGANO ON HIS WIN AT THE LOS ANGELES MEMORIAL COLISEUM! pic.twitter.com/1o3sVztZBe

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 7, 2022

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Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum Leaderboard

1. Joey Logano
2. Kyle Busch
3. Austin Dillon
4. Erik Jones
5. Kyle Larson
6. William Byron
7. Cole Custer
8. Christopher Bell
9. AJ Allmendinger
10. Kevin Harvick

Full standings available at NASCAR.com

---

Busch will feel disappointed with the result. He was the most dominant driver overall before losing the lead right before a caution with 34 laps left. The two-time series champion also shot himself in the foot as he attempted a move for first place.

Kyle Busch: "When I got close I was like OK I have to try more and pounce, and just overheated the tires and smoked them in three laps."

— PRN (@PRNlive) February 7, 2022

The track's dimensions made this one of the more unique races in recent years. Space was in short supply on the quarter-mile oval, and aggression was a necessity in order to maintain a given position in the field.

Have you ever?!

🟢#BuschLightClash 🟢 pic.twitter.com/nu4UY71dmC

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 6, 2022

Somewhat surprisingly, the first caution didn't come until the 53rd lap as Ricky Stenhouse Jr. got turned around after some contact by Harrison Burton.

It was an eventful caution period as Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe and race leader Tyler Reddick were all forced to bow out because of mechanical issues. The Clash wasn't a great advertisement for NASCAR's new Next Gen cars.

Many companies suddenly wondering if #nascar might have some fresh Next Gen RFPs before the end of this race.

— Nate Ryan (@nateryan) February 6, 2022

I expected stuff like this to break the first time that these cars are driven in anger and I've shared my observations about the transaxle in the past and what I expect to see and only one being broken so far at a short track is decent form my POV. https://t.co/D0DZbPnAF3

— Bozi Tatarevic (@BoziTatarevic) February 6, 2022

Teams will likely have to experience some trial and error as they adjust to the new builds, which will inevitably lead to the kind of issues Hamlin, Briscoe and Reddick experienced Sunday.

Ryan Blaney was also forced to make an early exit after contact from Erik Jones sent him into the wall with 35 laps left. Blaney proceeded to take his frustrations out by throwing his HANS device toward the No. 43 car.

Ryan Blaney is done for the day. pic.twitter.com/0YWQHdEXq3

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 7, 2022

That is Ryan @Blaney's HANS device! pic.twitter.com/Zb87CXYz9D

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 7, 2022

Blaney vented his frustration mid-race:

"Don't really make no sense."- Blaney pic.twitter.com/llsIEBAwqm

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 7, 2022

With the Clash concluded, all eyes turn to Daytona International Speedway. The Daytona Duels get underway on Feb. 17 ahead of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 20. Beyond what's at stake, drivers might be looking forward to a return to normalcy in the Great American Race.

An improbable victor last year, Michael McDowell will be a long shot to repeat as champion.

For Kyle Larson, the Daytona 500 is an opportunity to get his NASCAR Cup Series championship defense off to a strong start.

Retired and undefeated world boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s The Money Team Racing will look to make its NASCAR CUP Series debut on Sunday, Feb. 20 for the Daytona 500, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com).

Kaz Grala is set to drive the No. 50 Chevrolet for The Money Team Racing. The 23-year-old raced three times on the NASCAR Cup Series in 2021, finishing sixth the GEICO 500 for Kaulig Racing.

He also raced at Daytona twice, finishing 28th at the Daytona 500 and 35th in the Coke Zero Sugar 400.

Tony Eury Jr., who formerly served as a crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr., will be the crew chief for The Money Team Racing.

As the AP noted, The Money Team Racing does not have a charter, meaning that Grala will have to qualify into the 40-car Daytona 500 field.

As far as what lies ahead, The Money Team Racing general manager William Auchmoody said to the AP that the current plan is to run four races following Daytona, with a focus on road courses. However, the team is looking to run up to 15 races for the 2022 season.

Xfinity Series driver Brandon Brown's LGBCoin sponsorship was not approved by NASCAR to be on his car, per Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass:

NASCAR has made the final decision that the LGBcoin sponsorship for Brandon Brown is not an approved sponsorship to be on the car.

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 5, 2022

LGBcoin is a reference to "Let's Go Brandon," a phrase that is known for being code for "F--k Joe Biden."

The phrase stems from when Brown won his first career race in October at Talladega Superspeedway. When fans in attendance began to chant against President Joe Biden, the NBC Sports broadcast incorrectly believed they were chanting "Let's Go Brandon."

Brown had initially tried to distance himself from the phrase, but he apparently decided to lean into it when he announced a season-long sponsorship with the cryptocurrency coin last week.

NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Brandon Brown has announced a season-long sponsorship deal with cryptocurrency LGBcoin:

Brandon Brown announces he has a full-season Xfinity sponsorship deal from LGBcoin … a cryptocurrency created to take advantage of the Let’s Go Brandon theme. Team says that NASCAR has approved the paint scheme: pic.twitter.com/nagl6s88J8

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) December 30, 2021

LGBcoin is a reference to "Let's Go Brandon," a phrase that has become code for "F--k Joe Biden."

The phrase began after Brown won his first career race in October at Talladega Superspeedway. When fans at the Alabama raceway began a chant against President Joe Biden, the NBC sports broadcast incorrectly believed they were chanting "Let's Go Brandon."

Though the saying has now grown in conservative circles, Brown initially tried to avoid involvement.

"This whole Talladega race win was supposed to be a celebration, and then it was supposed to be something that I was able to use to move up, and I really wanted to capitalize on that,” Brown told Ben Smith of the New York Times earlier this month. "But with this meme going viral, it was more of, I had to stay more silent, because everybody wanted it to go on to the political side. I’m about the racing side."

"I have zero desire to be involved in politics," he added.

NASCAR has also tried to separate itself from the saying.

"I feel for Brandon," NASCAR president Steve Phelps said in November. "I think unfortunately it speaks to the state of where we are as a country. We do not want to associate ourselves with politics, the left or the right. We obviously have and we’ve always had, as a sport, tremendous respect for the office of the president—no matter who is sitting."

It now appears Brown is willing to lean into the phrase with his new sponsor, with NASCAR approving the politically partisan paint scheme despite Phelps' previous comments.

NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace said he's thankful for the continued support of NBA legend Michael Jordan, the co-owner of the 23XI Racing team.

Wallace, who joined 23XI Racing for its debut season in 2021, told People's Katie Campione on Tuesday that Jordan has made a smooth transition to motorsports ownership after years as a fan:

So we didn't really have to teach him much. We had to help him get a better understanding for things but it's been a lot of fun working with him and his team getting everybody's feet underneath themselves to make sure we're all doing this right way. There are so many people involved that we could be here all day thanking them. But it's cool having M.J.—one of the biggest names in the world—that I'm associated with. I definitely don't take that for granted.

Wallace was the team's standalone driver during its first season competing in the Cup Series. He finished 21st in the standings, falling short of the 16-car playoffs, but he did earn a victory in October's YellaWood 500 at the famed Talladega Superspeedway.

The 28-year-old Alabama native's win made him the first Black driver to achieve that feat in the Cup Series since Wendell Scott in 1963, and he did it for Jordan, who became the first Black majority owner of a team in NASCAR's top division.

Wallace, who said he's watched that race "probably 100 times," told Campione he's grateful Jordan chose him to become the team's first driver.

"M.J. stepping up in a way that he did for me has been—you know, I don't know if I'll ever be able to thank him enough," he said. "Just this opportunity this year and moving forward. He gave me an opportunity to shine and put my best foot forward."

23XI Racing will add a second driver, Kurt Busch, to its ranks in 2022. That addition— combined with the team's continued technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing, which features 23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin—should make them more competitive on a week-to-week basis.

Wallace spent his first four years in the Cup Series with Richard Petty Motorsports.

Meanwhile, Jordan also serves as the principal governor of the NBA's Charlotte Hornets after his decorated playing career that was highlighted by six NBA championships and five MVP Awards.

"I'm so happy for Bubba and our entire 23XI Racing team," Jordan said in a statement after Wallace's YellaWood 500 win. "This is a huge milestone and a historic win for us. From the day we signed him, I knew Bubba had the talent to win, and Denny and I could not be more proud of him. Let's go!"

The 2022 Cup Series season is scheduled to begin Feb. 20 with the Daytona 500.

After a first-place finish at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, Kyle Larson was crowned the winner of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Championship. It was Larson's 10th win of the 2021 season.

A win he’ll never forget!@KyleLarsonRacin is the CHAMPION in 2021! pic.twitter.com/ZnPnjZ5QXw

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 7, 2021

CHECKERED FLAG: A PERFECT 10!@KyleLarsonRacin wins at @phoenixraceway and captures the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series championship! pic.twitter.com/i0oObelwpZ

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 7, 2021

The Championship 4 of Larson, Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin battled it out atop the leaderboard for much of the race. But Larson was able to take the lead on the last lap off pit road after a late restart.

LARSON WINS THE RACE OFF PIT ROAD!

OH BABY! pic.twitter.com/QhMZXZfEUn

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 7, 2021

WHAT A STOP BY THE 5️⃣ TEAM! pic.twitter.com/x8U9BUabf9

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 7, 2021

Truex Jr. finished second, 0.398 seconds behind Larson. Hamlin and Ryan Blaney rounded out the top four. Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion, finished in fifth.

---

2021 NASCAR Cup Series Standings (Top 16)

1. Kyle Larson
2. Martin Truex Jr.
   
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Chase Elliott
5. Kevin Harvick
6. Brad Keselowski
   
7. Ryan Blaney
8. Joey Logano
9. Kyle Busch
10. William Byron
11. Kurt Busch
12. Christopher Bell
13. Tyler Reddick
14. Alex Bowman
15. Aric Almirola
16. Michael McDowell

---

Ending a Year of Dominance

After entering the year with six career wins, Larson capped a dominant run in 2021 with his first career Cup Series championship. He became the 17th driver to win eight or more times in a single season.

The 29-year-old No. 5 driver had victories at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway and Nashville Superspeedway. He also won the All-Star Race at Texas Motor Speedway. He held off his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Elliott for a win at Watkins Glen International over the summer. Larson added another three wins in the playoffs (Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Roval, Texas Motor Speedway).

It's been the year of Kyle Larson in every way.

10 Cup Series race wins. All-Star Race. Chili Bowl. Knoxville Nationals. Kings Royal.

And to cap it all, he's now the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion.

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) November 7, 2021

The last time a driver won 10+ races in a single season was Jimmie Johnson in 2007. He also won the title.#Championship4 #NASCAR

— Nick DeGroot (@ndegroot89) November 7, 2021

WHAT A BURNOUT! pic.twitter.com/xrceX0SSRd

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 7, 2021

Larson was suspended after he used a racial slur while competing in an iRacing event during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown in April 2020. NASCAR reinstated him in October 2020. Larson agreed in July to a contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports through 2023.

NASCAR will return for the 2022 season with the Daytona 500 on Feb. 20.

The NASCAR Cup Series season has come to an end, with Kyle Larson being named the champion at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona on Sunday afternoon. 

Larson, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. entered the race with a chance to be crowned 2021 champion. Larson's best finish at Phoenix before Sunday's race was second, while Truex, Elliott and Hamlin each had Cup Series wins at the track. 

'@KyleLarsonRacin is the 2021 @NASCAR Cup Series CHAMPION! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/vZSLfgtc4R

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 7, 2021

---

Cup Series Championship Results

1. Kyle Larson

2. Martin Truex Jr. 

3. Denny Hamlin

4. Ryan Blaney 

5. Chase Elliott

6. Aric Almirola

7. Kyle Busch 

8. Kevin Harvick

9. Christopher Bell

10. Brad Keselowski

A win he’ll never forget!@KyleLarsonRacin is the CHAMPION in 2021! pic.twitter.com/ZnPnjZ5QXw

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 7, 2021

You live for winning moments like this. #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/63Ih81w8ax

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 8, 2021

This TEAM won today! @KyleLarsonRacin | @TeamHendrick pic.twitter.com/SU2i0o6JdD

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 8, 2021

Larson was dominant throughout the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series, with Sunday's win marking his 10th Cup Series win this season. He is the first Asian American to win the Cup Series title. 

It's been the year of Kyle Larson in every way.

10 Cup Series race wins. All-Star Race. Chili Bowl. Knoxville Nationals. Kings Royal.

And to cap it all, he's now the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion.

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) November 7, 2021

What a season for our newest champion @KyleLarsonRacin! First Asian American stock car driver to win the Cup title! Congratulations to @Hendrick5Team and Larson.

Photo: @TheLTFiles | @ThePodiumFinish#Championship4 | #CupFinale pic.twitter.com/zC13vqPzvd

— Rob Tiongson (@RobTiongson) November 7, 2021

Larson's championship comes one year after he used a racial slur while participating in a virtual iRacing event amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He was dropped by Chip Ganassi Racing and suspended from NASCAR before being reinstated in October 2020. 

The 29-year-old, who now races for Hendrick Motorsports, led over 2,500 laps in 2021, while no other driver led more than 1,600.

---

Highlights and Reaction

Truex won the first stage at Phoenix, with Kevin Harvick, Elliott, Hamlin and Larson finishing in the top five. However, the first 75 laps didn't lack drama as Bubba Wallace was knocked out of the race early after crashing into the wall on a hit from Corey LaJoie.

Ohhh nooo. @CoreyLaJoie | @BubbaWallace pic.twitter.com/QLEwsFl2HJ

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 7, 2021

.... and there's the response. pic.twitter.com/uYI46I8ELm

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 7, 2021

This is not how you want to start your day. pic.twitter.com/7x7yIH2P3v

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 7, 2021

The caution flag came back out again just four laps after Wallace was ruled out of the race as LaJoie and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. bumped into each other.

more things are happening @StenhouseJr | @CoreyLaJoie pic.twitter.com/emrvcBvCpj

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 7, 2021

Things remained relatively calm until caution flags came out again for a crash involving Quin Houff, who hit the wall in front of Hamlin, on Lap 54 of Stage 2. 

Quin Houff crashes right in front of #Championship4 driver Denny Hamlin.

For the @StarcomRacing team, this is it as the team charter has been sold. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/keaverdYJC

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 7, 2021

All the leaders took the caution to the pit. Shortly after the race restarted, drivers were placed under caution again as Stenhouse lost his front-left tire and hit the wall, which ended his afternoon. 

Ten minutes after Stenhouse crashed, Chase Briscoe got a flat tire and hit the wall hard, ending his rookie season early. 

A hard hit ends @ChaseBriscoe_14's rookie season early.#NASCAR x NBC x @PeacockTV pic.twitter.com/szfMWS8F4o

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 7, 2021

The crashes benefitted Larson as he claimed Stage 2, with Elliott, Hamlin, Truex and Blaney rounding out the top five.

'@KyleLarsonRacin takes Stage 2 at @phoenixraceway!

The final laps of the @NASCAR season to crown a champion, NOW on @NBC and @peacockTV: https://t.co/7NW8hhZFP9 pic.twitter.com/LCybEDtkfO

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 7, 2021

Larson led as the final stage got underway. However, Elliott made things interesting, passing him with just 76 laps to go in the race. 

The defending @NASCAR champion takes the lead back! Now less than 75 to go for Chase Elliott to go back-to-back!

TV: NBC@PeacockTV: https://t.co/vO5PTjQSRI pic.twitter.com/rWBu50Mdq7

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) November 7, 2021

Shortly after Elliott took the lead, the caution flag came out again as Anthony Alfredo blew his right tire and hit the wall.

That is a nasty crash for Anthony Alfredo, and a huge break for Martin Truex Jr.! #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/YCmrW9zOdS

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 7, 2021

Truex and Hamlin led the pack coming out of the pit after Alfredo's crash as Larson put himself in a rough spot, more than four seconds behind Truex for first.

Luckily for Larson, a caution came out again late in the race and the Championship 4 drivers decided to pit, a pivotal moment for the No. 5 Chevrolet driver. The California native gained a whopping three spots on pit road to take the lead with 24 laps to go, and he never gave it up. 

KYLE LARSON WINS THE RACE OFF PIT ROAD! #Championship4

The sprint to the @NASCAR Cup Series championship is NOW on @NBC and @PeacockTV: https://t.co/7NW8hhZFP9 pic.twitter.com/EQqtSzCzNK

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 7, 2021

Kyle Larson: NASCAR Champion. pic.twitter.com/UJVImkw24D

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) November 7, 2021

This championship is Larson's first at the national series level. However, he has a 2012 title from the K&N Pro Series East. He also has 12 wins in 108 career Xfinity Series starts. 

Elliott, who finished fifth, missed out on being the first repeat champion since Jimmie Johnson.   

It's all come down to this.

Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott and Martin Truex Jr. will hit the track at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday with one thing on their mind: winning the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Hamlin, Elliott and Truex Jr. each advanced to the Championship 4 after their performances at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 31.

Alex Bowman won the Xfinity 500, but all eyes were on Elliott, who had clinched his spot in the final four before Bowman took the checkered flag. Hamlin and Truex also made their marks in Virginia, as they eliminated Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch in securing their chance to compete for the title.

Larson already has four wins this postseason, but Elliott has a chance to do what only 10 drivers have done: win back-to-back titles.

                      

Series Finale 500 Information

Date: Sunday, November 7

Start Time: 3 p.m. ET 

TV: NBC

Live Stream: NBCSports.com or NBC Sports app

                    

Odds

Kyle Larson: +190 (bet $100 to win $190)

Chase Elliott: +350

Denny Hamlin: +400

Martin Truex Jr.: +450

William Byron: +1400

Kyle Busch: +1600

Brad Keselowski: +2000

Ryan Blaney: +2200

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

                  

Starting Lineup

Cup practice results of one-lap and 10-lap runs: pic.twitter.com/3aoutKjMSx

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 5, 2021

           

Preview

As the Championship 4 heads into Phoenix, only two of them (Elliott and Truex) have NASCAR Cup Series championships on their resume.

Sunday isn't about winning the race outright; it's about being the highest finisher among the Championship 4.

Hamlin, who has 46 victories in his career but no Cup title, will be trying to cap off his 15th playoff appearance and fourth final race with enough points to finally take home the championship that has eluded him.

"It's so hard to predict," Hamlin told Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass. "This championship is made in one race. It's so different than it used to be.

"Our goal going into the year is to make the final four because it's really, really hard to predict what can happen in one particular race. ... I like our chances on a Phoenix-type track. That's for sure."

Larson came in second behind Keselowski at the final NASCAR Cup Series practice at Phoenix Raceway, leading all Championship 4 drivers with a lap of 135.293 mph. It's a great sign for the driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, who has had a racing season for the ages.

"It's hard for me to think if people will really remember if you don't win the championship," Larson told Jenna Fryer of Yahoo Sports. "You can read into that adding pressure that I want to win the championship even more to cap off what's been a great season. So that's my goal. And I hope we can finish it off and be mentioned as one of the top-five greatest seasons ever."

Truex won the Instacart 500 in Phoenix in March, but he's not favored to win the race this time around. But the 2017 Cup champion is still a big threat to win the Cup again.

"It's a big opportunity," Truex told Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass. "To race for a championship is what we work all year for. ... Whoever has the best car, the best setup, the best day and puts it all together. "It's four great teams, four great drivers."

Elliott, 25, will be looking to become the youngest driver to win multiple championships and win the 14th NASCAR Cup Series championship for Hendrick Motorsports.

He would also be the first driver to win back-to-back titles since Jeff Gordon, who did it in 1997 and 1998. Speaking to Reid Spencer of Yahoo Sports ahead of the Season Finale 500, Elliott said:

"I think, having gone through the motions last year, we learned a lot about ourselves and about what's important. How to perform in a big moment is a nice thing you can carry with you forward. On the same token, we didn't have any of that experience last year, and it worked out OK.

"I feel like, for us, we just dive into what matters, and the guy who goes the fastest and runs the best race and executes a good day on Sunday will be rewarded, and that's where our focus is."

No matter who wins, this will be a race that fans will savor until next season.

                

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Kyle Busch will have to complete sensitivity training prior to the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season after using the R-word during an on-track interview.

"The two-time series champion used a term that disparages those with intellectual disabilities when describing an on-track incident with Brad Keselowski," NASCAR.com staff wrote Monday.

Busch apologized Sunday for the remark:

In one of my post-race interviews I used a word I should never use and I want to apologize for it.

— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) November 1, 2021

Down the last stretch of the race, Busch and Keselowski were running second and third behind Alex Bowman. Keselowski made an aggressive move for second place on the final lap and nearly took out the No. 18 car.

RETWEET to congratulate @Alex_Bowman on his WIN at @MartinsvilleSwy! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/qNd6DVbKpO

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 31, 2021

A runner-up finish wasn't enough for Busch to qualify for the Championship 4, so his pursuit of a title is over. His frustration with the outcome appeared to be evident during the interview.

Busch's punishment matches that of Hailie Deegan, whom NASCAR ordered to undergo sensitivity training before the start of this season after she used the R-word during an online video stream.