It is the fall Phoenix race in NASCAR, and that means three titles will be up for grabs in the last event of the 2022 NASCAR season. Expect tension to be very high as 4 drivers race for a championship in the Cup, Xfinity, and Camping World Truck Series.
Martinsville locked in the final four. Mother nature cooperated! Martinsville did not disappoint. A bold move to say the least, put Ross Chastain in the Cup finals. After a late race restart, cars bunched together on the Martinsville short track. With only seconds to go, Chastain steered his Chevy towards the outer wall, rammed it into the right side into the wall, and laid on the throttle, and never hit the brakes! He used the wall to thrust him forward like a dragster or a very fast-moving train. He soared past competitors (Glued to the wall where cars never usually go) and around the driver he had to beat to get into the championship race, Denny Hamlin (Hamlin missed the championship by 4 points). Some described it as a video game move, while others said it was embarrassing for the sport, and dangerous. The bottom line: Chastain's competitors failed to plan for such an antic or try to stop it. Their loss was Chastain's gain. The final four Cup drivers going for the title: Joey Logano, Chastain, Chase Elliott, and Christopher Bell. Bell surged to the front late with fresh tires and some fierce driving. He had to win, to get in the title race.
Louisville's Ben Rhodes advanced to the Lucas Oil 150 NASCAR Camping World Truck this weekend at Phoenix. Ben will get a chance to defend his 2021 Truck Series Title! The week before Phoenix at Homestead, Ben passed two teammates (Not in playoffs), and was the last driver to make the field. He beat fellow competitor, Stewart Friesen by one point! Rhodes told Kentuckiana Motorsports before the race he would give a 100% effort. Expect the same at Phoenix. Joining Ben in Phoenix for the Championship run are Ty Majeski (Rhodes teammate), Zane Smith, and Chandler Smith.
In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, a wild finish at Martinsville. On a final restart, Ty Gibbs rammed leader Brandon Jones and sent Jones into the wall. Gibbs went on to take the checkered flag. The incident caused Jones not to make the final four drivers to run for a Xfinity Championship. It allowed Justin Allgaier (Not involved in the mishap) to sneak into the title race on points. Jones was not happy after the race, especially given the fact Gibbs is his teammate. Gibbs was unapologetic. Expect payback by Jones, sometime (The two will not be teammates in 2023). Along with Gibbs and Allgaier, Noah Gragson and Josh Berry will be the four Xfinity racers trying to win a series championship at Phoenix.
The Camping World NHRA season has only one event to go before its season comes to an end. It takes place November 10-13 at the Auto Club Raceway in California. Lucas Oil is a longtime NHRA sponsor. Many points battles are still very close. However, at the Nevada Nationals, Erica Enders won her fifth title in the Pro Stock Division. She became first NHRA pro driver to secure a season title by advancing to the final round and then winning her 10th event of 2022. The side-by-side battles were action packed. Once again, part-time racer Hector Arana Jr. stood on the podium to celebrate his Pro Stock Motorcycle win! The Lucas Oil backed racer won earlier this season at Dallas.
At the NHRA Nevada Nationals, 3-Time NASCAR Cup Champion and NHRA owner Tony Stewart battled some of the best. Yes, he raced in a Top Alcohol Dragster! It was a first for the Columbus, Indiana native. And guess what? Smoke did very well! After advancing to the finals (Beating other competitors), Stewart lined up to try and win his first event championship in the NHRA. However, he narrowly lost to up-and-coming racer, Madison Payne by just .0002 of a second! Tony stated he didn't expect to win his debut in the NHRA. But what a ride! There is no debate, Tony knows how to win. Expect future NHRA victories if he keeps racing!
The fall colors are upon us. That means winter and snow will be next! If you've enjoyed Kentuckiana Motorsports over the past 20 years, you know Lucas Oil has been a huge backer of all we do. You'll need some of its products in your car or truck this winter! We thank Lucas Oil as a longtime sponsor. We're able to talk racing locally and in other ways, thanks to Forrest, Charlotte, and Morgan Lucas and the entire Lucas Oil Family. Other backers: PNC Bank (Sponsor of Scott Dixon's Indy Car Series Car), Sportsdrome Speedway (Celebrating more than 75 years of Racing!) locally owned Bright Pest Control and Bright Retail in Louisville, (Offering Do-It-Yourself Professional Pest Products with a retail store), and Knox Ford in Radcliff (KY). KMS supporters also include: VoiceTel Kentucky (Offering telephone service for $25.00 a line, and that includes all taxes and fees), Temco Roofing, Andriots Paint, Flooring, & Blinds, ICA Dumpsters, Kentucky Raceway Ministries, St. Matthews Cycling, Nimlok Kentucky, Dynamic Healthcare, and Lyndon Mower Repair. We also thank our media connections in all series, especially NASCAR and with NASCAR Media for helping us bring the sport to the fans!
With so many challenges in America, supporting our farmers, ranchers, fisherman, and those who enjoy the outdoors is important. Find out more at www.protecttheharvest.com
Enjoy the racing!
