Phoenix's 2026 NASCAR Race is Complete. Next Cup Race in 2027
The last NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway in 2026 was the Freeway Insurance 500 on Sunday, October 18, 2026. The next NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix will appear here once NASCAR's 2027 schedule is released.
About Phoenix Raceway
Phoenix Raceway opened in 1964 and has hosted Cup Series racing since 1988. The 1-mile, low-banked oval in Avondale, Arizona, is unique in NASCAR for its asymmetric layout. The track's two ends have different radii and banking, producing a distinctive 'D-shape' that requires drivers to adapt their driving line for each turn. Phoenix has been the Cup Series championship-deciding venue since 2020, hosting the season-ending Championship 4 race where the four playoff-finalist drivers compete head-to-head for the title. The track's combination of short-track-like cornering and intermediate-track straights produces strategy-rich racing where tire management, pit stops, and clean-air aerodynamics all play significant roles.
Phoenix has been the Cup Series championship-deciding venue since 2020. The four playoff finalists compete head-to-head at Phoenix for the title every November.
Top Performers at Phoenix
| Rank | Driver | Starts | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Avg Fin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corey Heim | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5.0 |
| 2 | Ryan Blaney | 22 | 2 | 12 | 16 | 10.0 |
| 3 | Denny Hamlin | 43 | 2 | 18 | 25 | 10.8 |
| 4 | Kyle Larson | 25 | 1 | 12 | 16 | 11.0 |
| 5 | Kyle Busch | 42 | 3 | 13 | 28 | 11.4 |
| 6 | Christopher Bell | 14 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 11.5 |
| 7 | Chase Elliott | 21 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 12.2 |
| 8 | William Byron | 18 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 12.4 |
| 9 | Joey Logano | 36 | 4 | 10 | 19 | 13.1 |
| 10 | Brad Keselowski | 35 | 0 | 10 | 15 | 14.0 |
Recent Winners at Phoenix
Intermediate Context
Phoenix is one of 16 intermediates on the 2026 Cup schedule. Historically, Corey Heim leads all Cup drivers at this venue with a 5.0 average finish across 1 starts. Drivers who excel on intermediates tend to carry that form here. Check their track type stats in S-EDGE™.
Scorzia Edge™ Preview — Phoenix
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