NASCAR Cup Series: Ryan Newman wins at Phoenix

Ryan Newman wins the Camping World 500 at the Phoenix International Raceway, the fourth round of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season. The driver of #31 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet SS scored his 18th Cup victory in a career almost four years after his last win, in July 2013 at Indianapolis. For his team at was also the first win after three and a half years of waiting.

Ryan Newman is unexpected winner of the race, after leading just six of 314 laps. He took the lead after a late caution and a the final restart on Lap 313, staying out on old tires for a two-lap overtime. Kyle Larson (Chip Ganassi Racing) finished second, ahead of Kyle Bush (Joe Gibbs Racing), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Roush Fenway Racing) and Brad Keselowski (Team Penske).

Before the last caution, caused by Joey Logano’s blown right front tire which sent him into the Turn 1 wall, Kyle Busch had a lead of nearly three seconds over Larson. Polesitter Joey Logano held off to lead all but one of the 75 laps in the opening stage to win Stage 1. He earned 10 points in the driver standings and one playoff point. Chase Elliott snatched the lead less than 10 laps into Stage 2 and won the Stage 2 after 150 laps.