The desert heat is rising, and so is the tension. Championship Sunday at Phoenix Raceway is finally here, and after Saturday’s qualifying session, we know exactly where this title fight will begin. The starting lineup for NASCAR’s biggest race of the year has been set, and it’s going to be one heck of a ride.

Standing on the pole position is Denny Hamlin, one of the Championship 4 drivers who’s been chasing this elusive title for what feels like forever. The man has won 54 Cup Series races, but that championship trophy has slipped through his fingers more times than any driver wants to remember. Now, at 43 years old, he’s got the best starting spot possible to grab what’s been haunting him his entire career, finally.

Right behind him sits William Byron, another Championship 4 contender who knows this might be his best shot at glory. The Hendrick Motorsports driver has been rock-solid all season, and starting from the front row gives him every opportunity to control his own destiny when it matters most.

Championship 4 Drivers Dominate the Starting Lineup

What makes this starting lineup even more dramatic is how the Championship 4 drivers positioned themselves for tomorrow’s battle. Kyle Larson, the defending champion who knows exactly what it takes to win it all, will start third. That’s prime real estate at Phoenix Raceway, where track position can make or break your entire season.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Ryan Blaney, the fourth member of the Championship 4, will roll off from fifth place. That’s not ideal, but if anyone can work their way through traffic and make something happen, it’s the defending champion’s teammate. Blaney has shown all season that he can rise to the occasion when the pressure is at its peak.

The fact that three of the four title contenders will start in the top five tells you everything you need to know about how competitive this championship race is going to be. These drivers didn’t just stumble into the final four. They earned their way here, and Saturday’s qualifying proved they’re ready to back up their season-long performances.

Front Runners Ready to Shake Things Up

Don’t sleep on the drivers starting right behind the Championship 4, though. Austin Cindric, in P4, has been one of the most improved drivers this season, and he’s shown he’s not afraid to mix it up with the big names when everything’s on the line. Starting that close to the front gives him a real opportunity to play spoiler if things get crazy.

Carson Hocevar in P6 represents the new generation of NASCAR talent, and what better way to announce yourself than by potentially affecting a championship race? The kid’s got nothing to lose and everything to gain, which makes him dangerous in the best possible way.

Josh Berry and Alex Bowman round out the top eight, both drivers who know their way around Phoenix Raceway and understand exactly what kind of racing it takes to survive 312 laps in the desert heat. Neither of them is racing for a championship tomorrow, but you can bet they’re going to race like their lives depend on it.

The Starting Lineup Tells a Championship Story

Looking at this starting lineup, you can almost feel the electricity that’s going to be crackling through the air tomorrow. Joey Logano, the three-time champion who always seems to find another gear in the playoffs, starts tenth. That’s far enough back to be concerning, but close enough that he can still cause problems for everyone ahead of him.

Christopher Bell, who came so close to making the Championship 4 himself, will start twentieth. That’s way back in the pack, but don’t count out a driver with that much talent and that much motivation to prove he belongs with the title contenders.

What really stands out about this starting lineup is how it sets up multiple storylines for tomorrow’s race. You’ve got the Championship 4 drivers all starting up front where they can control the early stages. You’ve got hungry drivers like Cindric and Hocevar positioned to make moves. And you’ve got proven veterans scattered throughout the field who know exactly how to position themselves for a late-race charge.

Championship Dreams Begin with the Starting Lineup

Phoenix Raceway has a way of creating magic, and this starting lineup has all the ingredients for something special. The track rewards patience, strategy, and the ability to make your car better as the race goes on. Starting position matters, but it doesn’t determine everything – just ask any of the champions who’ve had to come from behind to claim their titles.

For Hamlin, starting on the pole allows him to lead the field to green and control the pace early. For Byron, that front row start means he can stay close to his Championship 4 competitors and strike when the moment is right. Larson’s third-place starting spot puts him in the perfect position to watch everything unfold ahead of him while planning his own championship move.

Season Finale Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway

Cup Series: Starting Lineup

(p) indicates drivers running for championship points

• 1. Denny Hamlin (p), No. 11 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
• 2. William Byron (p), No. 24 (Henrick Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 3. Kyle Larson (p), No. 5 (Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 4. Austin Cindric, No. 2 (Team Penske, Ford)
• 5. Ryan Blaney, No. 12 (Team Penske, Ford)
• 6. Carson Hocevar, No. 77 (Spire Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 7. Josh Berry, No. 21 (Wood Brothers Racing, Ford)
• 8. Alex Bowman, No. 48 (Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 9. Chris Buescher, No. 17 (RFK Racing, Ford)
• 10. Joey Logano, No. 22 (Team Penske, Ford)
• 11. Kyle Busch, No. 8 (Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet)
• 12. Chase Briscoe (p), No. 19 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
• 13. Ross Chastain, No. 1 (Trackhouse Racing, Chevrolet)
• 14. Daniel Suárez, No. 99 (Trackhouse Racing, Chevrolet)
• 15. Erik Jones, No. 43 (Legacy Motor Club, Toyota)
• 16. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 (HYAK Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 17. Chase Elliott, No. 9 (Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 18. Noah Gragson, No. 4 (Front Row Motorsports, Ford)
• 19. Brad Keselowski, No. 6 (RFK Racing, Ford)
• 20. Christopher Bell, No. 20 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
• 21. Ryan Preece, No. 60 (RFK Racing, Ford)
• 22. Zane Smith, No. 38 (Front Row Motorsports, Ford)
• 23. Bubba Wallace, No. 23 (23XI Racing, Toyota)
• 24. Tyler Reddick, No. 45 (23XI Racing, Toyota)
• 26. Austin Dillon, No. 3 (Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet)
• 27. Cole Custer, No. 41 (Haas Factory Team, Ford)
• 28. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 (Legacy Motor Club, Toyota)
• 29. Justin Haley, No. 7 (Spire Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 30. Todd Gilliland, No. 34 (Front Row Motorsports, Ford)
• 31. Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 (Trackhouse Racing, Chevrolet)
• 32. Riley Herbst, No. 35 (23XI Racing, Toyota)
• 33. Cody Ware, No. 51 (Rick Ware Racing, Ford)
• 34. Ty Dillon, No. 10 (Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet)
• 35. JJ Yeley, No. 44 (NY Racing Team, Chevrolet)
• 36. Casey Mears, No. 66 (Garage 66, Ford)
• 37. Michael McDowell, No. 71 (Spire Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 38. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 (Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet)

What to Expect

Today’s race is going to be 312 laps of pure intensity, where every position in this starting lineup could play a crucial role in determining who lifts that championship trophy. The desert is ready, the drivers are prepared, and after seeing this starting lineup, the fans should be ready for one of the most exciting championship races in recent memory.

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