Joey Logano, who was victorious at the Phoenix Oval on Sunday, won the NASCAR Cup Championship trophy for the second time in his career.
The Penske team driver won the season finale ahead of teammate Ryan Blaney while Ross Chastain, one of four finalists, finished third.
“I can not believe it. When I was very young, my goal was to become NASCAR champion. Doing that twice is unimaginable. Above all, I thank my team for their commitment,” said the man who led 188 of the 312 laps of the event.
The other two finalists in the title chase, Christopher Bell and Chase Elliott, placed 10th and 28th, respectively.
Gibbs the Unloved
On Saturday, Ty Gibbs was crowned the NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion after his seventh win of the season.
While that success was less controversial than the one he’d clinched in Martinsville, Virginia the previous week, he still celebrated his first title to boos in the NASCAR Cup antechamber, in his 51st start. He started his journey last year.
Spectators in Phoenix had already given him a hostile reception during the pilots’ presentation that preceded the start of this 33rd and final leg of the campaign.
As a reminder, Gibbs had jostled teammate Brandon Jones, the race leader, on track, whose victory would have secured him a place among the four finalists.
Gibbs didn’t need to win to be among the four title contenders.
“My behavior in Martinsville was unacceptable,” said Gibbs, who will make the full-time switch to the NASCAR Cup next year.
“I could sit here for hours apologizing as best I can, but it won’t change anything. I don’t want to remember this championship for the boos, but rather for the remarkable work my team has done,” said the grandson of Joe Gibbs, owner of the namesake stable and former veteran NFL head coach.
Gibbs passed Noah Gragson at the finish line by 40-hundredths of a second while Justin Allgaier was third.
Difficult start to the exam
Starting from position 33 on the grid, Alex Labbé ended his season in 18th place.
The Quebecer’s name appears in 19th place in the final drivers’ standings.
“The car wasn’t good at the start of the race, but successful adjustments made during our pit stops improved the handling,” said Labbé.
“Towards the end my pace was good. Given the very high level of competition in the series, our result is satisfactory,” said the Bois Francs driver, who appears to want to compete in the first event of the 2023 season, scheduled for February 18 at the legendary Daytona circuit in Florida.
A champion in mourning: Ty Gibbs was supposed to take part in the last race of the NASCAR Cup season in Phoenix, but he canceled. Her father, Coy, died in his sleep on Saturday at the age of 49 from a degenerative neurological disease.
2013: Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick
2014: Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas
2015: Kyle Busch, Gibbs
2016: Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick
2017: Martin Truex, Gibbs
2018: Joey Logano, Penske
2019: Kyle Busch, Gibbs
2020: Chase Elliott, Hendrick
2021: Kyle Larson, Hendrick
2022: Joey Logano, Penske