PHOENIX (NEXSTAR) — A mix of wind and wet weather has made its way to Phoenix Raceway, but conditions are not expected to impact the race schedule for the weekend. The ARCA Menards Series race is still set to take place Friday night, and the NASCAR Xfinity Series remains on track for its race on Saturday.
As the Xfinity Series returns to Phoenix, tensions from last season are still lingering. Sheldon Creed and Jesse Love, two of the top drivers in the series, fell short of the championship last year. Veteran Justin Allgaier ultimately clinched the title at Phoenix in November, but early this season, several drivers have already made a strong case for themselves with performances at tracks like Daytona, Atlanta, and Circuit of the Americas.
Now, the field faces a different challenge—Phoenix Raceway, a unique one-mile track that doesn't quite fit the mold of a short track or an intermediate oval. The layout includes the distinct dogleg, which will test drivers throughout the weekend.
Ryan Ellis, driver of the No. 71 car, spoke about the track’s challenges and what fans can expect during the race.
"There’s so much to like about it, from the ability to move all around the racetrack," Ellis said. "Especially in turns one and two. You’ll see people ripping the fence. After a couple of stages, we’ll be probably 5 or 10 feet off the fence, if not closer. The dogleg produces some phenomenal restarts. You’ll see cars that are three or four, or five or even six-wide—seen it done throughout the race. And it’s just everything you could ask for as a driver."
The GOVX 200 is set for Saturday, airing exclusively on The CW. Meanwhile, a major storyline heading into Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race is the debut of the red option tire at Phoenix. The tire was used in a points race at Richmond last season, and with more drivers weighing in on its impact, there is speculation that it could eventually be introduced to the Xfinity Series.