NASCAR Rant Report - Wednesday, March 12th

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Major headlines out of Monday and Tuesday:

Reflecting on the Phoenix Weekend
Edwards and Bayne Join Prime's Broadcast Team
Larson, Bell, and Gibbs in High Limit Opener

Plus, miscellaneous topics so far this week.

Reflecting on the Phoenix Weekend:

Christopher Bell continued his remarkable start to the 2025 season by winning his third consecutive race, a feat not achieved since Kyle Larson in 2021. Bell's victories at Atlanta, Circuit of the Americas, and Phoenix have made him the first driver to win three of the first four races in a season since Kevin Harvick in 2018. Bell is set to potentially win four consecutive races, a feat last accomplished by Jimmie Johnson in 2007.

The race at Phoenix also featured the use of option tires, which added a strategic element to the competition. While some drivers and teams appreciated the added strategy, others, including Bell, expressed concerns about the fairness and consistency of having two different tire compounds in the same race. NASCAR and Goodyear are still evaluating the future use of option tires, with mixed opinions from drivers and teams.

The television ratings for the Phoenix race were strong, with FS1 earning 2.82 million average viewers, an 18% increase from FS1's average Cup telecasts in 2024. The race was the most-watched Cup race on FS1 since 2021 and peaked at 3.386 million viewers towards the end of the race.

The race also featured the largest multi-car crash in Phoenix Raceway's Cup Series history, involving several drivers, including Chase Briscoe, Justin Haley, and Carson Hocevar.

Driver Comments:

Christopher Bell: Reflecting on his win, Bell credited his crew chief Adam Stevens for their success. "Adam knew what was capable of this team. We’re finally starting to see the fruit of it," Bell said. He also expressed his excitement about the opportunity to win four in a row, a feat last accomplished by Jimmie Johnson in 2007. "That’s incredibly special to hear that and know that I have that opportunity ahead of me," Bell added.

Denny Hamlin: Hamlin, who finished second, shared his thoughts on the race during his podcast, "Actions Detrimental." He admitted to being frustrated about losing to a teammate but acknowledged Bell's impressive performance. "It’s amazing what Christopher Bell has done so far this season," Hamlin said. He also reflected on the final lap battle, noting that he might have approached it differently in hindsight.

Kyle Larson: Larson, who finished third, praised Bell's performance and the overall competitiveness of the race. "It’s extremely tough to win two in a row in the Next Gen era and for them to win three in a row is really impressive," Larson commented. He also mentioned the challenges faced by Hendrick Motorsports and their ongoing efforts to improve.

Josh Berry: Berry, who finished fourth, highlighted the significance of his result for Wood Brothers Racing. "It is amazing what you can do when the car is handling like that. I am super proud of these guys," Berry said. He also noted the team's progress and the positive momentum gained from the race.

Ryan Preece: Preece, who led 34 laps on a differing tire strategy, shared his thoughts on the option tire experiment. "It was kind of a cat-and-mouse game," Preece said. He appreciated the added strategy element and the excitement it brought to the race.

Joey Logano: Logano, who finished 13th, discussed the impact of the option tire on the race strategy. "The tire worked well. I mean, it did exactly what I think NASCAR was going for," Logano said. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the tire choices and the need for teams to adapt their strategies accordingly.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on this topic.

Want some non-AI content? Check out the previous Editorial:
NASCAR Officiating Needs To Meet New Expectations

Edwards and Bayne Join Prime's Broadcast Team:

Prime Video has announced its broadcast team for its inaugural season of NASCAR Cup Series coverage, featuring notable additions such as newly inducted NASCAR Hall of Famer Carl Edwards and Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne. Edwards will serve as a studio analyst for the pre- and post-race shows, joining host Danielle Trotta and active Cup Series driver Corey LaJoie. Bayne, along with experienced pit reporters Kim Coon and Marty Snider, will provide insights from pit road.

The broadcast booth will be led by veteran play-by-play announcer Adam Alexander, with NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Daytona 500-winning crew chief Steve Letarte as analysts. Prime Video's coverage will include five consecutive NASCAR Cup Series races, starting with the Coca-Cola 600 on May 25.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on this topic.

Larson, Bell, and Gibbs in High Limit Opener:

The Kubota High Limit Racing Series is set to kick off its 2025 season at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Dirt Track, with NASCAR stars Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, and Ty Gibbs joining the field. The series, co-owned by Larson and five-time World of Outlaws champion Brad Sweet, has grown significantly since its inception, now boasting over 60 events across 20 states.

Kyle Larson is urging fans to attend the dirt track opener before he returns to his NASCAR duties for the Pennzoil 400. Larson, a seven-time High Limit winner, is excited to compete alongside his NASCAR rivals Bell and Gibbs. Bell, who has already secured six major motorsports victories this season will race on Thursday in the No. 69k car for Don Kreitz Racing. Due to Joe Gibbs Racing's 24-hour policy, Bell will be replaced by former World of Outlaws champion Daryn Pittman on Saturday.

Ty Gibbs, making his Sprint Car debut in the No. 84 Monster Energy Drink machine for CB Industries, hopes to emulate Bell's success on dirt tracks. Gibbs has struggled in the NASCAR Cup Series this season, sitting 34th in the standings, and aims to turn his fortunes around by participating in select High Limit Racing events throughout the year.

The High Limit Racing Series, which offers a $1 million purse with $250,000 awarded to the winning team and driver, will feature more than 30 drivers in its Las Vegas opener. The event will be streamed live on FloRacing, with coverage starting at 7 PM ET. The series continues to attract top talent and promises an exciting season of dirt track racing.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on this topic.

Miscellaneous:

Kaulig Racing driver AJ Allmendinger will be inducted into the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. Allmendinger, who made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2007, has achieved three wins, 80 top-10 finishes, and four pole positions. He has also won the Xfinity Series Regular Season championship in 2021 and 2022, the 2012 Rolex 24 at Daytona, and the 2023 Bank of America Roval 400. Allmendinger expressed his gratitude for the honor, highlighting the support of his family and team.

John Hunter Nemechek will feature the Backstreet Boys on his No. 42 car at the NASCAR race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The sponsorship promotes the band's Las Vegas residency in July 2025, celebrating the 25th anniversary of their album "Millennium." Legacy Motor Club, led by Jimmie Johnson, announced the collaboration, emphasizing the crossover between music and racing. Nemechek has had a strong start to the season with three top-15 finishes, including a fifth-place finish in the Daytona 500.

Brad Keselowski's Checkered Flag Foundation announced the return of the Tribute to Veterans program, presented by BuildSubmarines.com. The program honors veterans, active military, and their families by featuring their names on Keselowski's No. 6 BuildSubmarines.com Ford Mustang during the NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2025. The initiative allows friends and family to submit names for a fee, with proceeds benefiting the foundation's mission to support veterans.

Beef-a-Roo will sponsor Noah Gragson in five races during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. The partnership with Front Row Motorsports includes races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Darlington Raceway, World Wide Technology Raceway, and Kansas Speedway. Beef-a-Roo will also host a show car program at various locations and introduce a special "Nacho Burger" inspired by Gragson.

Sprayway Glass Cleaner will sponsor Jeb Burton in the upcoming Xfinity Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The partnership with Jordan Anderson Racing highlights both brands' commitment to excellence and performance. Burton expressed excitement about the collaboration, noting the natural fit between the team and the brand.

Priority Tire will sponsor SS-Greenlight Racing's No. 07 car in seven races during the 2025 Xfinity Series season. The sponsorship includes races at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Pocono Raceway, Chicago Street Course, Watkins Glen International, and Daytona International Speedway. Priority Tire aims to enhance its brand awareness through this partnership.

Morgan & Morgan will sponsor Frankie Muniz in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Muniz, known for his acting career, will debut the No. 33 Morgan & Morgan Ford F-150 truck during the Ecosave 200. The partnership includes branding on Muniz's firesuit and race truck for four races in 2025, with plans for charitable donations to Henry Ford Children's Hospital.

Justin Haley will drive Spire Motorsports' No. 07 Gainbridge Chevrolet Silverado in the Ecosave 200 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Haley, a three-time Truck Series race winner, will also compete in the NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400. Gainbridge, an insurtech subsidiary, supports Haley's efforts to secure strong finishes in both series.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on these topics.

Thumbnail image credits on our Source Materials Page.

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