AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 10: The car of Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Autocare Center Chevrolet, is towed into the garage after he wrecked during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bluegreen Vacations 500 at ISM Raceway on November 10, 2019, in Avondale, Arizona. Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images
Chase Elliott had to win Sunday’s Bluegreen Vacations 500 at ISM Raceway to advance to the Nov. 17 Championship 4 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and for the first two stages of the event, it appeared Elliott might have the car to get the job done.
AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 09: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 DEX Imaging Ford, stands by his car during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bluegreen Vacations 500 at ISM Raceway on November 09, 2019 in Avondale, Arizona. Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images
Needing to make up a 23-point deficit to qualify for the Championship 4, Ryan Blaney started tenth in Sunday’s Bluegreen Vacations 500, last among Playoff contenders.
AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 10: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bluegreen Vacations 500 at ISM Raceway on November 10, 2019, in Avondale, Arizona. Photo – Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images
AVONDALE, Ariz. – Out, demon!
Denny Hamlin’s exorcism is complete. At ISM Raceway, the site of one of his biggest disappointments, Hamlin barged back into the Championship 4 with a dominating victory in Sunday’s Bluegreen Vacations 500.
AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 09: Justin Allgaier, driver of the #7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 200 at ISM Raceway on November 09, 2019, in Avondale, Arizona. Photo – Jared C Tilton/Getty Images
AVONDALE, Ariz. – Justin Allgaier’s timing was impeccable.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 08: Stewart Friesen, driver of the #52 Halmar International Chevrolet, poses with the trophy after winning the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Lucas Oil 150 at ISM Raceway in Phoenix on November 08, 2019, in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo – Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images
AVONDALE, Ariz. – Stewart Friesen thought he had led the first lap of Friday night’s Lucas Oil 150 at ISM Raceway in Phoenix.