This weekend NASCAR will make its last trip out west to the ISM Raceway in Phoenix. This is the first of two races at Phoenix in 2021. The last time NASCAR was here was back in November for Championship weekend where Chase Elliott won his first-ever title.
This race will be important because ISM will be hosting the championship later this year and this race will be a good learning experience for November.
Last Time At ISM
The last time NASCAR was at ISM Raceway, a title was on the line. Chase Elliott won the race and the championship that day. Elliott led the most laps leading 153 of 312 laps. Finish second was Brad Keselowski who fell just short of winning his second title.
In third was Joey Logano who led the second-most laps at 125 of 312. It was a memorable day for many and this weekend’s race could be a preview of the 2021 title race.
Key Starting Positions
On Sunday Brad Keselowski will be starting on the Busch Pole and will lead the field to the green. Kyle Larson will also be on the front row for Sunday’s race as he will look to go back to back after last week’s win.
Kyle Larson would also be going for the West Coast sweep on Sunday. In the third position will be Denny Hamlin. Starting fourth will be the Joe Gibbs driver Christopher Bell. Rounding out the top 5 will be the New Jersey native Martin Truex Jr.
Sunday’s Odds
Leading the odds for Sunday’s race is the defending champion Chase Elliott at 5-1. He won the last time NASCAR at Phoenix which gives him an edge for the race. The second-best odds for Sunday will include three drivers. Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, and Denny Hamlin at a 6-1 chance to win on Sunday.
The next best chance to win is Joey Logano and Kyle Busch at an 8-1 chance to win. Joey Logano is a big underdog going into Sunday as he led the second-most laps back in November. Last week’s winner Kyle Larson has the next best chance to win with a 10-1 chance.
Race Information.
The race will be 312 laps and 312 miles which is one of the shortest races of the year. Stage 1 will end at the 75 lap mark. Stage 2 will end on lap 190. The final stage will be 122 laps taking the drivers to the finish. Sunday’s race will begin at 3:30 pm eastern time, 12:30 local time.
Sunday’s race can be seen on FOX. In Canada, the race can be viewed on TSN. On the radio, the Motor Racing Network will return after having last weekend off. The race can also be heard as always on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio channel 90.
