Toyota Makes a Statement | NASCAR Phoenix Race Review & Analysis
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- Опубліковано 11 вер 2024
- Here's what we learned after Toyota's dominant Phoenix Raceway performance.
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the most entertaining part of this race was when kevin harvick said “he got that dawg in him” ‼️💀😭
On god
Ong
Please I need that clip
@JGR4LIFE hotrods
The busch millennial paint scheme broke him
This was the Toyota Owners 500 presented by the bad short track package.
I can’t believe this track is still the title race when it really should be back at Homestead
Daytona increasingly getting closer as an option
Charlotte world 800 should be the championship race. A test of man and machine.
@@whiteeyes3743I want Charlotte, but SMI isn’t gonna get a finale date. NASCAR would be losing out on a lot of cash if they got rid of a facility they put a lot of time into for a track they don’t own.
@@stocker2525Daytona being the season opener and the 4th of July weekend race just feels right. Sometimes historic traditions shouldn't be changed. It feels like they are trying to make too many unnecessary changes to chase a new casual audience all over again. But they haven't been in the middle of a boom in popularity to justify the attempt.
I agree. This is not the track to determine a championship! SAD!
Gibbs, Gragson, McDowell, and Hocevar i think have been the 4 most standout drivers so far this year
I think Reddick needs to be on the list especially 3 2nd place for the stages last week and for his finishes for this race!
Gilliland too
Blaney's got three straight top fives to start the season
@@DepravedCoTApologist yeah hes been great too but i was saying drivers that you wouldnt think would be so good to start the year
I expect this kinda stuff from McDowell nowadays. Gilliand however I have been very pleasantly surprised with. Front Row looks awesome
We need full practices every week
Yes!
Maybe not at the 1.5 milers, but everywhere else for sure.
Toyota really came to play today! Shout to Erik Jones. Before getting into the wall and the slow pit stop, he was running rlly well!
Im really always rooting for jones. I hope he can bring a revival to petty
Bubba ran into both Jones and Chastian! 🤦
HOW DID THE GROOVY MAN GET HOME SO FAST???
DOUBLE E., is a master of “ editing “ could be a green screen 😂😂. Texas and Arizona aren’t that far apart….😂😂😂
@@darrelladams4188 I think he lives in Florida now but good point!! It doesn’t look like a green screen though. I just think Eric is very speedy 😂
No he left on Saturday afternoon didn't stay and watch the race live
I believe EE said his back in Texas!!!
I think he knew this race wasn't gonna b that good cause it's phx after all. So he probably caught the next flight out after he's power hour segment
I'd like to see a rotation for the Championship Race but with a twist. Whatever track gets the championship race, does not get a second date in that season
Had the same idea. Doesn't make the early race just a test bed for the Championship race. Now weather is going to be a factor, so we are probably still stuck with Phoenix or Homestead, but they can at least alternate.
The one thing I'll grant Eric is that because of this being the finale track, Chevy & Ford will have to fix their short track setups because there will be at least one Toyota in the final four and if nothing changes, that driver will be hoisting the trophy at season's end
Hocevar starting 10th and holding on for a top 15 finish 👀
So????
Good comebacks from both Larson and Hocevar after both being sent to the back from pit stops
Fox broadcast had a major oops moment in my eyes as they cut to a commercial as Reddick had caught Gibbs and a battle began for the lead. Literally saw Reddick going for the pass as they faded to commercial.
I was totally left shocked wondering what happened…..until they came back from commercial to show Gibbs still out front.
But to cut away as a battle for the lead was underway was disappointing.
While the new short-track package didn't show any improvements in the racing, I still am of the belief that the racing at Phoenix was ruined mostly by the flip-flop reconfiguration. Used to put on better racing and got plenty of exciting finishes there over the years, but after they changed the track up, the racing quality just hasn't been the same.
I agree with having the championship race being straightforward instead of chaotic.
I do think you’re REALLY overblowing the whole “Chevy is in trouble” aspect. Everyone knew JGR and 23XI were gonna be fast this year. In all reality, there were 2 Hendrick Chevy’s in the top 5 basically all day (24 and 9) that, as a result of pit strategy late, got cycled to the back.
Toyota had ONE good race out of 4 and Chevy had ONE bad race out of 4…hes way over exaggerating just for the sake of it…
Dudes been overhyping Toyota for months. It’s getting old
Entertaining but I don’t look at NASCAR UA-camrs the same as the media that’s there like Jeff Gluck etc. always a bias in these types of channels.
And they won the first 3 races😂
I came to say the same thing... It's one race! A track that toyota ran tests at and teams had extra practice. If Toyota dominates 4-5 weeks in a row... then I'd be worried.
I think the Phoenix spring race should be under the lights
Great to watch on TV, but it would be frigid at the track. The desert gets cold when the Big Orange Ball goes down.
@@DaveGme It only starts to get cold by 2 am. It's fine to have a night race that ends by 11pm
I'm sorry. I was talking about Phoenix, AZ.
Lingering on Alex Bowman's feet for so long was EGREGIOUS!
They were hoping they would see ANYTHING exciting. But even the footwork was so god damn boring because of how little struggle there is to put the power down in these cars.
Quentin Tarantino would disagree 👀
Im gonna go against the river stream and say that the race was actually pretty enjoyable, not the best but there were still some good action in today's race
There was decent movement. Most people just like wrecks, but the same people complain the trucks wreck too much and never get to race
I agree. The winner came from 20th on last restart. The most exciting track? No. Good multi groove racing and pit strategy, Yes. I don't understand all the hate.
I'd say it was definitely above average for phoenix we had comers and goers there was definitely ability to pass and some cautions mixed and some strategy mixed in can't ask for much more from a race than that honestly not every race can or should be an atlanta
And not to be that guy but I get the feeling a lot of the people calling it bad have only started Watchung after atlanta
And it was certainly more entertaining than last week I don't even remember anything about it other than larson won
The alternative is NASCAR throws a phantom caution with ten laps to go, they all wad up on the restart and wreck 15 cars. Fans want the races to play out but not every finish will be ATL24. I don’t need races to be flag to flag entertainment when at the expense of team’s performance.
Toyota had speed at Phoenix during a tire test back in December 2023. With the new body. However this was before the changes were made to the diffuser etc. Glad this was mentioned in the video
"The Belldozer" the wife calls him. It will be very very hard, impossible maybe for Hamlin to win a championship with this man in a Toyota. JS Bell will be a champion.
Can't believe that two races after Atlanta, we'd already have a boring finish this season, still happy for Christopher Bell getting the win, and Truex making a late race comeback!
Don’t let one good race distract you from the fact that almost every race with the next gen car is a snooze fest.
@@jaredchampagne2752 "almost every race" nah man. Shitty races like today would genuinely be fixed if they just gave them more horsepower. There is literally no skill involved with driving at these tracks because flooring it doesn't affect the balance at all. Too much grip, not enough horsepower.
@@V8_Diva did you watch last season? Most races were a conveyor belt. But yes every one knows horsepower will solve all. They are grasping at straws with this garbage aero and tire gimmicks.
@jaredchampagne2752 guess you didn't watch the 1.5 miles or cota last year 😂
Christopher Bell was impressive as hell today. Awesome win!
I agree with you entirely that we don't need chaos and calamity for the championship race. With that being said, I still believe that Phoenix is too far in the other direction. It's a snooze fest.. HATE it for the finale. Homestead was the perfect venue for our championship 4 event! We need to return!
Nothing but a total snoozefest in my eyes. If I had to choose between good racing and Homestead Miami Speedway and excellent amenities at Phoenix Raceway, I would choose Homestead and it's great racing as the championship race!
Cry Hendrick fan cry 💀
Nah, What's done is done.
I definitely thought this race was a lot better than people are giving it credit for you had some good battles for the lead, comers and goers fuel strategy cautions for accidents and the winner came from starting from thirteenth. You can’t expect an absolute barn burner every week.
Agreed. I thought this was a good race. I didn’t get bored at all. Not sure what people expect. Watch some races from 80’s and 90’s and see the same thing.
Well at least there is one person in the booth I can appreciate. Kevin doesn’t laugh at every attempt of humor by Clint, contrast that to rainbow boy of past years. Kevin is the voice of reason. Thanks and respectfully.
Like what I'm seeing from the 12 team. After taking 2 hard wreaks at Daytona 3 top 5 finishes. Not brining the fastest cars but competitive and they grind the day out to get the most out of it. Really championship team effort. Now leading the points. They will be a factor for the championship
Gragson is VERY talented. I’m glad he finally got a car under him with a little support
Outside shot at a playoff spot if he keeps up this consistency
Happy for C. Bell but dag gone I wasn't happy when the race flipped. I was impressed when I saw Alex B working his way up to the front after starting 25th, THEN.... I don't know what the heck happened with HMS.
This felt like manufactured drama lol
Not just the 20 and the 17 are the only Matt kenseth numbers in the top 4, Matt Kenseth won the 54th Daytona 500 and he raced in the 6 for that stint
Noah Gragson has actually impressed this season! Ifbhe didnt get the penalty he would of been 15th or 16th pretty sure.
the character development has definitely woken him up.
Honestly I enjoyed the nbc broadcast of the INDYCAR race at St. Petersburg more than the Fox nascar race at phoenix
Gibbs, Gragson, McDowell, Hocevar, Suarez. Those are the drivers who is having a great start to the season so far. I'm very happy with these drivers.😊😊😊😊
Bad luck drivers: Austin Dillon, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Austin Cindric. These drivers are having a bad start to the season. But hope they can turn in around.
It was like how Matt Kenseth would not be that good at qualifying and sometimes just not be out front for most of the race and then when he gets to the front he whoops the field
Come on guys. The race is not all about who is first. All the comers and goers in the top 10 in the last 60 laps was very interesting to watch!
RFK! Hopefully coming back after a tough start. Go Brad!
The R does not belong in RFK anymore. It's FK from now on.
I hope NASCAR can figure something out because we need more competition at short tracks. 1.5 mile tracks are so much more entertaining these days.
Please don't say that. Bruton Smith will come back from the grave & build more cookie cutter 1.5 mile tracks.
This race hurt as a Truex fan. If only his strategy didn't go against him in the end, I know he could have held the lead with the 5 plus second lead he had as Bell kept falling off behind him before the 19 had to pit. Another race he could have won out the door. Very frustrating tbh, hope he can FINALLY break through at concrete Bristol in Cup next week
I’m a MTJ fan so once he lost the lead in the pit dropping all the way to 20+ my heart sank but the fact he drove all the way to a top 10 under green was impressive as hell regardless of tire advantage
Can't help early season impressions, but happens every year... the guard changes several times throughout the summer. Let's not forget, just a few weeks with TWO new bodies to sort out with minimum practice. Teams will rise and fall...
The only thing ill disagree with eric is that a driver dominating isnt bad. Its up to the broadcast to make the race seem good and fox’s production really struggled with that today. Bells journey to the front is a much bigger deal if we see it playout rather than catching up after commercial breaks
Nothing about this race left me wanting more short tracks.
This isn’t a short track
Phoenix is not really a short track. Nascar & fox like it because cars go 6 or 7 wide down on the apron on a restart. That's it.
@@goose2323its only a mile…pretty short compared to most other tracks.
Speaking of Toyota, we need to talk about Brenden "Butterbean" Queen racing North Wilkesboro for TRICON! He's races in the CARS Tour and is a late model legend! Talent is finally getting an opportunity in the big 3. He'd be a great interview for the podcast too!
Please get Chad Knaus on that 9 pit box
The one thing we gotta think about for this being the championship track is that yeah, Toyota was good, but does and Chevy now know what they need to do to improve. So yes Toyota looks good, but they have no frame of reference on what changes they need to make to go out and win the big trophy
They got John Hunter to take out the field, no worries.
NASCAR 24: Total Toyota Control
They’ve won a single race this season…chill
@@jaredchampagne2752 UA-cam 24: Chill No More.
It's a play on NASCAR 06: Total Team Control
NASCAR needs to update the amenities at Homestead so we can go back to Homestead for the championship race.
Did you notice the grandstand at Phoenix 50%
Its been 1 great race for toyota. Lets not get too excited or upset its a long season
I think we need to take a step back when reviewing races. We got spoiled with the ending at Atlanta and the battle for the lead late between 5/45 in Las Vegas. But not every race ends in a photo finish. All things considered, I still think this was an entertaining race. And yes I'm biased because I had CBell race winner (also Ty Gibbs who finished 3rd). But I liked the extended green flag runs to see which cars rose to the top. The hectic restarts. And the different strategies that had cars like Hocevar and Gilliland at the front for short stretches.
Denny Hamlin is not lying. Those motors are designed to run at 750 HP. It's literally a tapered spacer
More horsepower wouldn’t hurt.
What’s up Eric! Race was meh but I wonder what the standings look like.
Eric didn't stay for the race. That makes a statement.
Last week, Denny was saying Reddick could’ve won Vegas if he had Larson’s pit crew. This week we’re saying Reddick could’ve won Phoenix if his team owner didn’t spin trying to race him
Ngl Phoniex may be the worst track on the scedule it’s a shame that’s the title race
Horsepower isn’t going to fix dirty air being the problem with racing.
It's everything about this car, not just horsepower.
Anyone not see this coming? A manufacturer has designed their body to maximize performance at the track where the championship is decided. Screw if it's a lousy pusher, or doesn't work worth a damn at anything under a mile, hell don't worry about anything but Phoenix.......I don't blame Toyota it makes sense....... which is just one more reason to hate the playoffs.
time for Phoenix to lose a race to Chicagoland...and for Vegas to lose a race to a track SMI stole other dates from: The Rock
A comment on the xfinity show, I thought having Jamie Little in the broadcast booth was an improvement, she did a very good job calling the race.
On the topic of horsepower, Nascar needs to give the cup guys more hp. 650 hp is nothing. These cars are just boring. Give the boys what they need to be able to really race.
Yea but 100HP isn’t gonna make a difference!!!! They need 500HP more. !!!!!
I’m a Tyler Reddick fan man that last restart really screwed us up we lose like 6 or 7 spots on pit lane and we just could not recover which that pretty nominal for Reddick late in race with his recovery speed being low
Something changed. The 1st 2 stages, he could gain ground late in the run. 3rd stage, he would fade back late in the run.
Big Tyler fan here also, going into the 3rd stage, he mentioned to his crew chief that he was unbalanced towards the back of his car and his crew chief replied, "don't worry about it that was the longest of the stages" and he felt it would get better, but the opposite happened, his car got more unbalanced as the 3rd stage got going and he never recovered. Not sure if they tried adjusting the balance or they just let it go, but the last stop he did lose spots on pit lane for an unseeable reason???
@@DLeeVK yeah for some reason he always fades back at the end like take the last year coke 600 for example he was in 2nd last couple of laps and he started fading and went back to 4th he could’ve had 3rd if he didn’t let our crazy teammate by
Either one of 2 fixes.
Add more horsepower or add more backing to the corners!
Both, would be great !
i had such an excellent time this weekend at the track!
first thing, i saw eric and brennan and tommy joe do their live podcast, and it was very informative. eric, i think you did a great job of being a host and putting the racers in the spotlight for this one. thank you so much for posing for a selfie with me!!! massive highlight of the weekend!!!
i loved the xfinity race, especially! of the now 5 nascar races i have attended, this was probably the most entertaining one. the jhn crash had the whole crowd up in arms. and of course the allgaier crash sent a shockwave through us all.
and i took my partner to their first ever nascar race today! we sat at the top of the hill, and they were pretty good seats, except we didn't climb all the way up like i usually do when i'm alone, so we couldn't quite see the logano crash. they really enjoyed the race, and i don't think we even got sunburnt!
i always go to these races and have such a great time and tell my friends it was a great race, and then get on the internet and see everyone dunking on it. i dunno y'all, it was really fun at the track. i loved the action, and bell really surprised my partner and i when he climbed through the field outta nowhere, something we were watching for larson to do after the early troubles and never got to see.
can't wait to go back and watch the broadcast. maybe we're in it!
For the championship race, I agree that it should be rotated to different tracks. My thought is that it should be like the Super Bowl rotated every year. First, to give drivers a different challenge each year and second to give fans throughout the country an opportunity to attend and see the championship race in person. Throw in a twist since there is a 9 month spread from the Daytona 500 and the championship race, at the conclusion of the 500 have the winner of the race reach in a bowl of tracks where the championship race can be held and pick the final race. That gives NASCAR and track 9 months to promote the championship race.
For whatever reason, the Hendrick cars have been struggling at short tracks since the next gen, especially on flat tracks.
Glad you are as unbiased as you are. I'm huge on SHR and you've had tough words for em sometimes. But you are being fair and that's why even though you may not be the biggest SHR supporter or fan, you still show respect. Respect on you Eric
Toyota put us Chevy guys at the back of the pack. Good to see your live show. Keep up the good work
phoenix is a mirage. It looks like it’s fun how they fan out but the result is ultimately meaningless. It’s bland, 5 out of 10 on a good day, and is a crime that it’s the final race of the year.
A 6 second margin of victory is a record in NASCAR right now, but they'd call that a close race if it was F1. "Max Verstappen only won by 6 seconds? Close!"
This is honestly what NASCAR gets for putting another SuperSpeedway right after Daytona.
Atlanta good though phoenix is just sucky track
@@keeganracer8300 used to put on good racing, but the flip-flop reconfiguration ruined it imo more so than the cars and packages.
@@keeganracer8300 nah good races have no impact on bad races what are you saying they shouldn’t have two good races in a row? Now that’s some defeated mentality. ALL THE RACES SHOULD BE GOOD
I’m an Old fan of the #20 , and it’s good to see it back to its winning ways .
I actually fell asleep with 50 or so laps to go. I like the restarts at Phoenix, but the rest, probably my least liked track next to New Hampshire and Richmond.
I find it funny how the 20 and 17 finished 1-2 on Matt Kenseth's birthday
Wait really, I had no idea
The words or phrases are arranged ahead of time per Harvicks new podcast with Mamba and Kaitlyn. Blaney used to do the same thing on his podcast but it usually doesn’t last long.
Good stuff Eric. I really like the top 10 finishers today. They ran a great race. Glad u had a great time there. Till the next video. ✌️🇺🇸
Bring it back to homestead. Phoenix has no business being the final race until they can make the racing much better. I say more hp would be the easiest most logical answer so it probably won’t ever happen.
NASCAR has got to him..... " ALL HAIL THE TOYOTA" 😂😂😂
I feel like ever since they moved the start/finish line from the front stretch to the dog leg in 2018 the racing has just never been good there since. Before that it was a pretty good track.
I will never understand Nascar logic in continuing to change rules packages for phx. Its just not a good track for these cars. The most exciting part of racing at phx is on restarts n they all fan out below the dog leg.
We need tracks and races (at least a few times per year) that exhibit the excellence of drivers and teams like we saw today... As a diehard Mark Martin fan, today reminded me of MANY of his great victories! It was no barn burner of a race, but watching Christopher Bell whoop the field was still satisfying to me, we need this in NASCAR from time to time! It helps contrast the crazy Atlanta and Talladega finishes while showcasing the amazing talent of our drivers. Congrats to Christopher and his team!
The thing I really didn’t like about the fox broadcast was Saturday’s race Jamie little she’s a good pet road reporter, but, she’s a horrible commentator, especially being the primary person, that was just horrible to listen to.
I think a bad part of Phoenix hosting is that since it has another race date. Now it feels like we know what'll happen in the championship, whatever JGR cars make it will be strong it if they make it that far. Not saying they gotta put it back at Homestead but I'm just stating my opinion, for the one race championship, game 7 type moment nascar is looking for, it really takes away from the suspense of what will happen
Did anyone else at the time though that Chastain would win the race despite that history showed us that the race winner also won the championship? Remember he wasn't in the championship 4. Phoenix is mostly predictable but sometimes it can surprise you.
Of course Eric would know it’s Matt Kenseths birthday and also realize the 20 and 17 finished 1, 2😂
Top finishing Hendrick car was 14th! That's unacceptable with how far they were off at this track last year, and now they are worse???
It’s one race. Chevy will be fine
Low downforce + high horsepower, thats the perfect formula
Chevy won 8 of the 9 first races across all series, Toyota wins one race and all the sudden Chevy is nervous? Come on man stop being prisoner of the moment
Multiple on track lead changes, various pit strategies, comers and goers all day, a race winner who came from P20 in final stage to win. I don't understand the 45% rating. This was an excellent race.
Happy birthday Matt🏁🏁🏁🏁🙂👍👍
The broadcast was frontloaded with discussion of the package change making it sound like a roll of the dice. And even then it just seemed to shuffle the racing order rather than how the track raced. It can't cost more to up the horsepower instead of years of aero package trial and error.
They'll never add horsepower, NASCAR would rather do everything but that, and even then lack of horsepower is just one of the problems with this clusterfuck abomination of a race car.
17:12 Denny says Nascar can pick up the phone & go to 750 HP. Yates has said the same. Once Honda is done stringing them along to get a better deal with Indycar, Nascar should do that.
@@johnhaas2523um bro he is a driver your calling race car drivers clueless how about you shut the fuck up these drivers and engineers know more about the cars than the current leadership of Nascar or you will ever know
Lajoie might have not dnf'd in 44 races but he's wrecked other people and given them dnf's still
I kind of disagree with ur opinion on toyota being dominant from here on out. One race is nothing to be concerned about. Especially when cheve has a 75% win ratio. I'm comfortable with where we are at
I hope denny is right about that one phone call away to add more hp because thats what we are gonna need for cota Richmond Martinsville and the remaining races on short tracks and road courses when drivers say passing didn't make a difference with this new package that should tell you everything you need to know
I hope so, but knowing NASCAR they'll double down on everything but...and taking grip from the tires should be part of it.
As a lifelong RCR fan. I’ve never looked forward to baseball season more than I do this season. 😁🤦🏻♂️ 13:29
All those nascar fans that keep saying F1 is boring racing have gone real quiet today
Truth but this is normal in F1, not normal in Nascar
F1 put on a much more entertaining race, this was trash.
Test sessions should include all teams, not just 2 from each manufacture.
Love the Matt Kenseth Shirt Bro. Good video
#12!!! Am I the only one, including the broadcast team, that noticed Ryan Blaney start midpack and drove to the front several times throughout the last couple races?
NASCAR really needs to look at more horsepower for the short tracks. I can't understand what the reluctance is.
@@johnhaas2523horsepower will fix a lot pal