NASCAR Ford Teams Tail Chevys At Phoenix Spring 2023: Video

So far, the NASCAR Ford teams have only been able to stand by and watch as Chevy racers dominate the Cup Series season. The Blue Oval has yet to find its way to Victory Lane in 2023, but it’s certainly not for lack of trying. Once again, several Mustang racers seemed to be a threat at Phoenix on March 12^th, 2023, but a series of late-race cautions tipped the scales in The Bow Tie’s favor.

Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 4 Mustang, emerged as a dominant force in the latter stage of the race, surging ahead of polesitter Kyle Larson’s No. 5 Camaro ZL1 and eventual winner William Byron’s No. 24 Camaro, driving away with a huge lead before the No. 21 Mustang of Harrison Burton spun with 10 laps left. Harvick pitted for four fresh tires on his No. 4 Mustang, while Larson’s No. 5 Camaro and Byron’s No. 24 Camaro took just two tires.

The ensuing restart saw Larson and the No. 5 Camaro take the lead, but on Lap 310 of 312, a multicar incident unfolded on the backstretch. This forced a caution and the race went into NASCAR Overtime. Byron’s No. 24 Camaro grabbed the lead on the restart, leading the No. 12 Mustang of Ryan Blaney and the No. 45 Toyota TRD Camry of Tyler Reddick. Nobody could reel Byron’s No. 24 Camaro in, as Larson’s No. 5 NASCAR Chevy fell back to fourth, while Harvick’s No. 4 Mustang came home in fifth.

Though the race marked Harvick’s 20^th straight top-10 finish at Phoenix, he was understandably frustrated that victory had slipped through his fingers. Even so, he commended his crew chief, Rodney Childers, for the four-tire pit stop. “It’s what I would have done,” Harvick said. “I’d always rather be on offense. I just didn’t get a couple cars when that first caution came out. Kind of lost our chance. Still thought I had a chance there at the end. Those cars were quite a bit slower. They get all jammed up.”

Meanwhile, it’s also worth noting that Brad Keselowski’s No. 6 Mustang had a shot to win on the final restart, but his race car suffered a mechanical issue and plummeted through the field. He ultimately finished 18^th.

# – Rookie
i – Points ineligible
* – Part-time driver

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