Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Blaney leads Championship 4 in Cup Series practice at Phoenix

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Jonathan Howard | Last updated 11/3/23

After 50 minutes of practice, we have our early indicators about how Ryan Blaney and the NASCAR Championship 4 will perform. Blaney led the four championship drivers in practice, finishing P3 overall for single-lap speed, but there’s more to the story.

In single-lap averages, Ryan Blaney led Christopher Bell who was P4 in the session. William Byron was P7, Meanwhile, Kyle Larson struggled and finished P11.

Going to the long-run averages paints a bigger picture. Bell just barely edged out Blaney in 10-lap average speed. They were P1 and P2 overall in the session. Byron was P3 overall in the 10-lap average. Larson? P10 overall. Again, not great.

Ryan Blaney and Christopher Bell then flip-flopped for the 15-lap average. Once again, Larson was the driver lagging behind in our Championship 4. Larson also clipped the wall, but it was just superficial damage, nothing but a scratch on the car.

The results are in. #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/ro4rNNYip6
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 4, 2023

So, what does this all mean? Well it means that one team has more work to do than the others. Byron has to make his long-run speed better somehow. Well, his team does. Larson has the most work to do if he hopes to win his second NASCAR championship in three years.

Ryan Blaney looks to have the setup tuned in just right on his car, the same goes for Bell. Will that continue to play out in qualifying and the race?

Ryan Blaney can’t get comfortable

It’s never over until the checkered flag flies. Ryan Blaney has great speed in the long run but will have to make it stick. 15 laps is one thing, but what about 50, 70 laps or more? As for the Hendrick drivers, fans shouldn’t count them out just yet.

Back in the spring, Byron was P20 in practice and Bell was P24. They would go on to qualifying P3 and P5. There are ways for teams to get these cars dialed in. Perhaps they didn’t notice something their teammate did, or they thought they needed one thing but it cost them in another area on the track.

These four drivers all finished in the top-6 at the spring race. Short-track racing isn’t the best right now, but given the stakes and the passion, we should get a good race. Pit stops will be vital and that could be where Larson makes his final move, just like he did in 2021.

If you’re a Ryan Blaney fan, you have to feel good right now. He might be the favorite for the pole award right now. If he does land the pole, he should be the favorite to win the whole race, and the championship. Byron and Larson will be trying to get those adjustments made to close the gap on Blaney and Bell. Should be a great race on Sunday.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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