The NASCAR Playoff picture gets clearer with just four races remaining in the regular season as we await Championship Weekend at Phoenix Raceway Nov. 8-10!
After a wild return to the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, NASCAR now enters a two-week Olympic break. While returning to the iconic racing venue, I got to chat with the three full-time NASCAR drivers who hail from the Grand Canyon State.
Glendale’s Michael McDowell is on the road to another career season. The 39-year-old veteran earned the first 3 pole awards of his career but has yet to convert that momentum to a win to clinch a spot in the playoffs. But this season, McDowell doesn’t just know he can win races, he’s showing to the field every weekend too.
Tucson’s Alex Bowman claimed victory in one of NASCAR’s most unique events on the Streets of Chicago over two weeks ago. The Ironwood Ridge grad detailed his favorite memories from snapping his 80-race winless streak and also described what could be a loss of sleep heading into the playoffs with a new member of the family.
In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Peoria’s Leland Honeyman Jr. is in the midst of his rookie season with a rookie team as he graduates high school next week. He describes some of the growing pains while trying to get a foothold in NASCAR to ignite his young career.
NASCAR is back in action Aug. 11 at Richmond Raceway in Virginia to kick off the final four races before the playoffs begin at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sept. 8. The sport makes its return to Arizona for NASCAR Championship Weekend at Phoenix Raceway to crown four champions in the ARCA Menards West Series, Craftsman Truck Series, Xfinity Series, and Cup Series over three days from November 8-10.
Devon Henry
