What’s Happening?

NASCAR heads to Phoenix Raceway this weekend for the first short-track race of the season. The Cup Series is set to debut a new short-track package, and the Xfinity Series and Arca Menards Series are tagging along this weekend as well. Here is the weekend TV schedule for NASCAR at Phoenix.

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• Built in 1964, Phoenix Raceway started hosting lower-tier NASCAR races in the late 1970s, with the Cup Series debuting in 1988. The track was reconfigured in 2011 which included a repave, replacing all infield grass with asphalt, and progressive banking in the turns. In 2018, the start-finish line was moved to the original backstretch, and the pit road was adjusted accordingly.
• Phoenix hosts the Championship race for all three National Touring Series this November. Therefore, the spring race here matters a lot to race teams who expect to compete for the Championship this fall.
• Fans have a lot of questions about this Phoenix weekend. With a new short-track package debuting, will the Next-Gen short-track racing get better?

Weekend Schedule (All Times ET)

Friday, March 8th: ARCA Menards Series RACE

• 5:05-5:55 PM – Cup Series Practice on FS1
• 8:00 PM – ARCA Menards Series General Tire 150 on FS1 (150 Laps/150 Miles)

Saturday, March 9th: Xfinity Series RACE

• 12:30-2:00 PM – Xfinity Series Practice on FS2
• 2:10-3:30 PM – Cup Series Qualifying on FS1
• 4:30 PM – Xfinity Series Call 811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200 on FS1 (200 Laps/200 Miles)

Sunday, March 10th: Cup Series RACE

• 3:30 PM – Cup Series Shriners Children’s 500 on FOX (312 Laps/312 Miles OR 500 Kilometers)

What to Watch For This Weekend

Cup Series

This is the first race with the brand-new short track rules package, so, that will be the focus of the weekend. The package includes a smaller, more simplified diffuser and a slightly taller rear spoiler. As far as drivers to watch for, look for the Hendrick duo of Kyle Larson and William Byron to be strong, but watch out for those Penske Fords of Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano as well.

Xfinity Series

Unlike the Cup Series, the Xfinity Series teams bring the same rules package to Phoenix this year. In recent years, Phoenix has been a Toyota playground with Toyota drivers taking 3 of the last 5 races including Sammy Smith’s first career Xfinity Series win in 2023. This also could be a big race for Sheldon Creed, who finished 3rd here last spring and jumps into the same JGR car that carried Smith to victory 2023.

Who will find themselves in victory lane this weekend at Phoenix? Be sure to follow the Daily Downforce for the latest news and updates leading up to Phoenix.