Only two races remain in the NASCAR Xfinity Series season, and the penultimate race would come today at Phoenix International Raceway. Coming into the valley of the sun, the championship was firmly in the control of Chris Buescher (#60 Advocare Ford), but would today’s events change that heading into the final race at Homestead?
In qualifying earlier on Saturday, a new track record would be set for the Xfinity Series at the unique one-mile oval. Kyle Busch (#54 Monster Energy Toyota) would absolutely smash the track record on his way to the pole, and what would start a dominant day of racing for him.
As the green flag dropped on the 200-lap race, Busch was gone. Kyle Busch, who has created a habit of dominating Xfinity Series races even with a stout group of Cup regulars with him, would be relatively untouched all day while leading the race. The only opening others would find to take the lead would be on pit stops, where Brad Keselowski (#22 Discount Tire Ford) would often get the better of Busch. However, this would only go on to see Kyle pass Brad once more on a restart.
Meanwhile, in the championship hunt, Chris Buescher would see fellow championship contender Chase Elliott (#9 NAPA Chevy) running close to him in the order nearly all race long. Buescher would go on to finish thirteenth, while Elliott came home in seventh. Buescher would leave on the day with an eighteen-point lead in the championship heading to Homestead.
In the closing laps in Phoenix, fuel mileage would become a growing concern for many of the leaders, wondering if they would have enough fuel to go the distance. However, he would have enough to stretch it to the checkers, and Kyle Busch would dominate to win the DAV 200 at Phoenix.
Coming home in second on the day would be Brad Keselowski, while teammates Erik Jones (#20 GameStop Toyota) and Daniel Suarez (#18 Arris Toyota) came home third and fourth. Ty Dillon (#3 WESCO Chevy) would round out the top five.
The final race of the NASCAR Xfinity Series season will be next weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. See the race next Saturday to see who wins the race and the title, live on your local NBC station.
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