Overview
NASCAR’s West Coast swing continues this week in Phoenix with the XFINITY cars getting the weekend started. Phoenix is a flat asphalt one-mile dogleg oval. Because of its size and flat nature, Phoenix is very similar to Richmond and New Hampshire. In both Phoneix races last season there were three real dominators in each race, including Daniel Hemric and Austin Cindric who were both prominent dominators in both races with each winning one of the contests. Since Phoenix was repaved in 2018 the polesitter in the majority of races across the featured series’ in NASCAR has benefited as far laps led goes. Whether or not that’s just a coincidence is up to you. All of the plays in this article are subject to change due to same-day qualifying once against for the XFINITY drivers.
Strategy
Like last week the drivers will turn 200 laps but this time for 200 miles making the dominator points come in a hurry but giving us enough laps to make those points worth noting. As mentioned above the majority of dominator points were split between three drivers in the last two XFINITY races at Phoenix and that trend has held true for the most part since 2017. I would look again to roster two potential dominators in tournament lineups combined with place differential options. Keep in mind that the strategy and plays are subject to change after qualifying. I’ll post any updates in the NASCAR channel on Discord.
Most comparable tracks: Richmond Raceway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway
*Note: all pricing is DraftKings focused
Top Drivers
Ty Gibbs ($10,900)
Gibbs has the best equipment and possibly the most talent in this race and it’s no secret at this point, just asked Riley Herbst after last week’s tussle. In any event, regardless of where Gibbs starts, he’ll be in play as an option and a contender to win week in and week out. In the first Phoenix race last season he started 27th and found a way to finish second. He didn’t run the second race but he’s dominated this track in the ARCA series since he was 17 years old and finished seventh in the Richmond XFINITY race last season. We’re gonna get points from Gibs regardless of where he starts the race, the question is in what fashion?
Daniel Hemric ($10,000)
The defending series champion was great at Phoenix last season and overall has a knack for the flat tracks after finishing third are New Hampshire and sixth at Richmond. Hemric led at least 44 laps in both Phoenix races where he had good qualifying position on both occasions; top five to be more specific. On top of his ability at these tracks, he’ll start 15th giving some place differential upside in the process. Hemric will be a contender for a top-five finish.
Noah Gragson ($11,200)
The ever-aggressive Gragson blew the car up in the first Phoenix race last season however he did win at Richmond and finish 12th in the second Phoenix race. Gragson had the best 10 consecutive lap average in practice and has three top 10’s finishes in six career XFINITY races at Phoenix. Gragson looks to have a strong car after a strong practice and qualifying session and will contend for a top three, even a win.
Trevor Bayne ($9,700)
Bayne will start on the pole and he had the second-best 10 consecutive lap average in practice and the third-best practice round overall. He’ll be back in the 18 Joe Gibbs car, an extremely well-equipped machine at a track in which he has a good history. In his XFINITY career at Phoenix Bayne has picked up six top 10’s in 10 trips with most of that success coming when he was driving for Roush.
Also Consider
Justin Allgaier ($11,500)
Anthony Alfredo ($7,600)
Nick Sanchez ($5,700)
Brandon Jones ($9,500)
GOOD LUCK!!