"It's that time again, when Earth's premier stock car series pits a fearsome foursome of drivers against one another amid the cactuses of Phoenix Raceway with NASCAR's most coveted Cup on the line. A year ago, this race and the title chase was overshadowed by a debate concerning the worthiness of the final four combatants, especially when Joey Logano was crowned champion at race's end. This time around, no such argument exists; these four men representing two superpower teams have all been in the title conversation since the first green flag of NASCAR's 77th season waved over the Daytona 500 nearly 10 months ago."
"NASCAR is a sport built on traditions, and as has become tradition in recent years, each of the Championship 4 chatted with ESPN's Ryan McGee ahead of Sunday's highest-finisher-takes-all 312-lap desert duel for the title, interviewed in the same order that they clinched their spots in the title bout. The legend who is suing the sport, the wunderkind finally reaching his potential, the two-time reigning Daytona 500 champ and the only member of this group to have hoisted the Cup before."
"McGee: First off, congratulations on 60 career wins. When you won at Las Vegas to start this postseason's Round of 8, that not only put you in this final four, but you are also now tied for 10th on the Cup Series wins list. That can't feel real. Hamlin: That was the mark. You have to set goals, and entering this season that was the one for me. And to do it in my 20th full-time season, and I'm 44. It's crazy. McGee: Not just that, but you're as good now as you've ever been. This might be the best season you've ever had. Hamlin: And I was pretty nervous going into February. I got a new crew chief. I'm another year older. I don't have my FedEx on the car, so I don't have my blankie anymore. All of that heading into a contract year. I was asking, "Is this the beginning of the end?" Well, it turned out to be just anoth"
Four NASCAR drivers will decide the Cup at Phoenix Raceway in a 312-lap highest-finisher-takes-all race. Unlike last year’s contested finale, all four finalists have been bona fide title contenders since the Daytona 500. The four drivers represent two powerhouse teams and qualify for the Championship 4 based on season-long performance. Pre-race comments followed tradition, with each finalist given time to reflect in the order they clinched their spots. Denny Hamlin reached 60 career wins, tied for 10th on the Cup wins list, and described a season that began nervously with a new crew chief and a contract year but produced strong results.
Read at ESPN.com
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