William Byron Goes Back-to-Back with another NASCAR Cup Series Win at Phoenix

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William Byron goes back-to-back with another NASCAR Cup Series win at Phoenix Raceway in the United Rentals Work United 500.

The final race of the west coast swing took the NASCAR Cup Series to Phoenix Raceway for the United Rentals Work United 500. A tight one-mile course that features a dog leg to the left as the field enters the first turn. The Cup Series is debuting a short-track specific race package that severely limits the amount of downforce that these cars once had. The race at Phoenix was the first time deploying this package, and it threw drivers a curveball for sure.  

Kyle Larson is the Practice Leader and Polesitter at Phoenix

Kyle Larson was at the top of the charts in practice and qualifying. He brought the field to the green flag. Then, William Byron raced from third place to take an early lead.

Byron separated himself from the field and did not look back. The first segment ran caution-free as Byron flexed his speed early to win the first stage. 

Larson Returns to the Top Spot

Kyle Larson cycled back into the lead during the stage break. He was able to take the lead on the restart as William Byron stayed in pursuit in second place.

With 60 laps remaining in the segment, Larson began the pit cycle under the green flag. He cycled back into the lead as Aric Almirola hit the wall in the fourth turn. The incident brought out the yellow flag with 38 laps in the second segment.

Once more Larson fended off William Byron for the lead on the restart. Larson moved out into the lead to separate himself from Byron. William Byron kept it close but had to look on as Kyle Larson led the final 38 laps to win the second stage. 

Another New Leader Emerges

Kyle Larson maintained his lead heading into the final stage, but Kevin Harvick made a run for the top spot. Harvick dived to the bottom 74 laps into the third segment and made the pass on Larson for the lead.

Harvick controlled the field for 33 laps until a caution flag was waved with 14 remaining laps. Kyle Larson won the race off pit road after taking a two-tire stop. He shot out into the lead on the restart, but another caution came out after Noah Gragson, AJ Allmendinger, and Ty Gibbs wrecked.

The Caution Once Again Gives William Byron the Lead for Back-to-Back Wins

On the final restart, William Byron received a big shove from Tyler Reddick. This push helped Byron clear Larson coming to the white flag. Kyle Larson could not catch back up as William Byron took the checkered flag, winning in back-to-back weeks. 

The United Rentals Work United 500 Results

William Byron goes back-to-back, and his 2023 campaign is rolling. His team has found some early speed, and Byron has made the most of it.

Byron was in no mood to be patient on Sunday. An aggressive move from third place to put him in the lead, and now Byron ed the first stage almost entirely. Coming into the second segment, he stayed with Larson, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Now, the race almost looked like it was unwinnable by Byron. Kevin Harvick had a five-second lead over the entire field as the race dwindled into its final laps. With a few late cautions, William Byron was able to regroup and make another run for the lead.

The NASCAR Cup Series Point Standings

Up Next

William Byron and his team will look to roll with the momentum as the NASCAR Cup Series returns to the east coast with a race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.