XFINITY Series @Phoenix 2020 LS Tractor 200
We were at the FanShield 500, which took place on March 8, 2020 at Phoenix Raceway.
Phoenix Raceway is a 1-mile, low-banked tri-oval race track located in Avondale, Arizona, near Phoenix. The motorsport track opened in 1964 and currently hosts two NASCAR race weekends annually.
Everything is done for the fun of spectators. Huge campings for the biggest RUV’s, food trucks and shops for fans to get their favorite t-shirt, souvenir or toy. Each race throughout the States features the four Premier Partners brands: Busch Beer, Coca-Cola®, GEICO and Xfinity.
Saturday is the day for Nascar Cup Series and Xfinity Series qualifications and the race day for the Xfinity Series.
The Nascar Xfinity Series is a stock car racing series organized by NASCAR. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit and is considered a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's top-level circuit, the NASCAR Cup Series.
The Nascar Xifinity Series adopts a playoff format similar to the NASCAR Cup Series Chase for the Championship. The 12 teams participating in the playoffs are elected based on points collected during the 26 races of the season. From race 27, the Xfinity Series uses three-round playoffs. Each of the first two rounds eliminates the four drivers with the fewest season points. More specifically:
the first round (races 27–29) is driven with 12 drivers who qualify for the Chase grid with 2,000 points, plus the bonus Play-offs' points acquired in the regular season;
the second round (races 30–32) begins with eight drivers, each with 3,000 points;
the Championship 4 (final race) occurs with the last four drivers in contention for the season title. They have their points reset to 4,000 points, and the highest finisher in the race wins the NXS title.
NXS cars are very different from their NASCAR Cup Series counterparts, the main differences being:
a slightly shorter wheelbase (105" instead of 110"),
100 pounds less weight,
a less powerful V-8 engine with a compression ratio of 9:1 (as opposed to 14:1 for Cup)
the fuel delivery system in the Cup cars is fuel injection whereas NXS cars use carburettors.
Three manufacturers are using a distinct body design:
36 cars did qualify so that there were 18 rows of cars lineup leaded by Kyle Busch (#54 Toyota) and Austin Cedric (#22 Ford) in row 1. Harison Burton (#20 Toyota) and Brad Keselowski (#12 Ford) were sharing row 2.
In the first laps, Austin Cedric (#22 Ford) takes the lead.
No more than 15 minutes for the first incident that triggers a new start. Ross Chastain #10 Nutrien Ag Solutions Chevrolet shares row 1 with Kyle Busch #54 Twix Cookies & Cream Toyota
Stage 1 was won by Justin Allgaier #7 Brandt Chevrolet then in row #2.
A new incident after 30’ enables team to pit thereby losing less time due to neutralisation of the race. Cars then continue to run but at much lower speed. Here, Chase Briscoe #98 Frod Performance Racing School Ford’s pit and future winner Brandon Jones #19 Menards/Turtle Wax Toyota passes the pit lane.
After 3/4 hour, Brad Keselowski #12 XPEL Ford is still in front row of a new start.
A few laps later, Justin Allgaier #7 Brandt Chevrolet takes the lead to win stage 1.
Noah Gragson #9 Nationwide Children’s Chevrolet wins stage 2 in front of Ross Chastain #10 Nutrien Ag Solutions Chevrolet, Chase Briscoe #98 Frod Performance Racing School Ford and Kyle Busch #54 Twix Cookies & Cream Toyota.
There were 11 lead changes among 7 drivers and 7 cautions for 45 yellow flag laps.
#19-Brandon Jones won the LS Tractor 200 NASCAR XFINITY race at Phoenix Raceway. The win was his 1st win at Phoenix and 2nd career win. He took the lead with 19 laps to go by passing Kyle Busch and pulled away for a margin of victory of more than 3 seconds.
Harrison Burton #20 Dex Imaging Toyota finished second, Kyle Busch #54 Twix Cookies & Cream Toyota third and Brad Keselowski #12 XPEL Ford fourth.
Winning the race does not make the highest point for the championship:
Chase Briscoe #98 Ford Performance Racing School Ford finished 6th but with 2 P3 in stages 1 & 2, he marks the highest points for the championship: 47.
Ross Chastain #10 Nutrien Ag Solutions Chevrolet scores 46 points with 2 P2 in the stages and P9 for the race.
Brandon Jones #19 Menards/Turtle Wax Toyota marks 45 for his victory of the race, a P10 in stage 1 and P7 in stage 2.
