AVONDALE, Ariz. - Hopefully for Kyle Larson and William Byron, the speed they flashed in locking in a starting spot on Saturday point to a big finish to the NASCAR Cup Series season on Sunday.
Qualifying for the Championship 4 went into the books at Phoenix Raceway on Saturday evening with Larson and Byron rolling out last. But good things came to those who waited with Byron snatching the second starting spot after a lap of 26.956 seconds. Larson will lineup just behind in third after a circuit of 26.979.
"On my lap I thought I hit turn one, just couldn't quite commit to the throttle off both corners," Byron said. "Just felt like I was just kind of right on the edge of grip and didn't want to have a slip and lose pace. Happy with it. I feel like we're right there in the mix, right where we need to be. Good pit stall, so happy with today."
Rounding out the Hendrick Motorsports group, Alex Bowman turned in a hot lap of 27.094 seconds early in the session and that held in earning the eighth starting spot. Chase Elliott will line up 17th on Sunday after a qualifying effort of 27.176 ticks.
Both Larson and Byron were among the fastest in Friday's Cup Series practice session as well with Larson topping the board in 15-lap average and he and Byron finishing second and third respectively in 10-lap speed.
Sunday's Championship 4 race is slated to start at 3 p.m. and will air on NBC.
Here's a look at how the cars will line up:
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Starting lineup for NASCAR race Sunday
- Denny Hamlin, No. 11, 26.914
- William Byron, No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet, 26.956
- Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 26.979
- Austin Cindric, No. 2, 27.017
- Ryan Blaney, No. 12, 27.029
- Carson Hocevar, No. 77, 27.039
- Josh Berry, No. 21, 27.093
- Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Chevrolet, 27.094
- Chris Buescher, No. 17, 27.111
- Joey Logano, No. 22, 27.119
- Kyle Busch, No. 8, 27.129
- Chase Briscoe, No. 19, 27.133
- Ross Chastain, No. 1, 27.137
- Daniel Suarez, No. 99, 27.143
- Erik Jones, No. 43, 27.154
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47, 27.172
- Chase Elliott, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, 27.176
- Noah Gragson, No. 4, 27.184
- Brad Keselowski, No. 6, 27.189
- Christopher Bell, No. 20, 27.196
- Ryan Preece, No. 60, 27.197
- Zane Smith, No. 38, 27.218
- Bubba Wallace, No. 23, 27.219
- Tyler Reddick, No. 45, 27.22
- Ty Gibbs, No. 54, 27.238
- Austin Dillon, No. 3, 27.243
- Cole Custer, No. 41, 27.244
- John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42, 27.251
- Justin Haley, No. 7, 27.3
- Todd Gilliland, No. 34, 27.306
- Shane van Gisbergen, No. 99, 27.316
- Riley Herbst, No. 35, 27.359
- Cody Ware, No. 51, 27.445
- Ty Dillon, No. 10, 27.522
- JJ Yeley, No. 44, 27.72
- Casey Mears, No. 66, 27.765
- Michael McDowell, No. 71, 27.959
- AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 (did not run qualifying lap)
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NASCAR Cup Series practice results
- Ty Gibbs, No. 54, 27.3
- Ryan Blaney, No. 12, 27.396
- Austin Cindric, No. 2, 27.402
- Ryan Preece, No. 60, 27.407
- Denny Hamlin, No. 11, 27.426
- Chase Elliott, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, 27.45
- Ross Chastain, No. 1, 27.452
- Josh Berry, No. 21, 27.459
- William Byron, No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet, 27.46
- Christopher Bell, No. 20, 27.487
- Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 27.489
- Erik Jones, No. 43, 27.491
- Todd Gilliland, No. 34, 27.501
- Joey Logano, No. 22, 27.515
- Carson Hocevar, No. 77, 27.539
- Chase Briscoe, No. 19, 27.541
- Zane Smith, No. 38, 27.561
- Bubba Wallace, No. 23, 27.564
- John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42, 27.571
- Michael McDowell, No. 71, 27.577
- Austin Dillon, No. 3, 27.592
- Tyler Reddick, No. 45, 27.608
- Kyle Busch, No. 8, 27.634
- Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Chevrolet, 27.649
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47, 27.659
- Daniel Suarez, No. 99, 27.689
- Chris Buescher, No. 17, 27.699
- Cole Custer, No. 41, 27.707
- Riley Herbst, No. 35, 27.729
- Cody Ware, No. 51, 27.745
- AJ Allmendinger, No. 61, 27.749
- Justin Haley, No. 7, 27.761
- Noah Gragson, No. 4, 27.775
- Brad Keselowski, No. 6, 27.792
- Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88, 27.824
- Ty Dillon, No. 10, 27.863
- Casey Mears, No. 66, 28.195
- JJ Yeley, No. 44, 28.209
What channel is NASCAR on?
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Saturday, Nov. 1
- 7:30 - Xfinity Series championship race (CW)
Sunday, Nov. 2
- 3 p.m. - Cup Series race (NBC)
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Where is NASCAR racing this weekend?
The NASCAR Cup, Xfinity and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series are running their season finales at Phoenix Raceway this weekend.
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Where is Phoenix Raceway?
Phoenix Raceway is located in Avondale, Arizona.