2020 Season Finale 500

The 2020 Season Finale 500 was a NASCAR Cup Series race held on November 8, 2020 at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. Contested over 312 laps on the one mile (1.6 km) oval, it was the 36th and final race of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season.

2020 Season Finale 500
Race details[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Race 36 of 36 in the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series
2020 Season Finale 500 program cover
2020 Season Finale 500 program cover
Date November 8, 2020 (2020-11-08)
Location Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona
Course Permanent racing facility
1 mi (1.6 km)
Distance 312 laps, 312 mi (499.2 km)
Average speed 112.096 miles per hour (180.401 km/h)
Pole position
Driver Hendrick Motorsports
Grid positions set by competition-based formula
Most laps led
Driver Chase Elliott Hendrick Motorsports
Laps 154
Winner
No. 9 Chase Elliott Hendrick Motorsports
Television in the United States
Network NBC
Announcers Rick Allen, Jeff Burton, Steve Letarte and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Radio in the United States
Radio MRN
Booth Announcers Alex Hayden, Jeff Striegle and Rusty Wallace
Turn Announcers Dave Moody (1 & 2) and Mike Bagley (3 & 4)

The Season Finale 500 was the final start for seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson, 2012 Cup runner-up Clint Bowyer, and 2003 Winston Cup champion Matt Kenseth as full-time Cup Series drivers.

Report

Background

Phoenix Raceway, the track where the race was held.

Phoenix Raceway – also known as PIR – is a one-mile, low-banked tri-oval race track located in Avondale, Arizona. It is named after the nearby metropolitan area of Phoenix. The motorsport track opened in 1964 and currently hosts two NASCAR race weekends annually. PIR has also hosted the IndyCar Series, CART, USAC and the Rolex Sports Car Series. The raceway is currently owned and operated by International Speedway Corporation.

The raceway was originally constructed with a 2.5 mi (4.0 km) road course that ran both inside and outside of the main tri-oval. In 1991 the track was reconfigured with the current 1.51 mi (2.43 km) interior layout. PIR has an estimated grandstand seating capacity of around 67,000. Lights were installed around the track in 2004 following the addition of a second annual NASCAR race weekend.

Phoenix Raceway is home to two annual NASCAR race weekends, one of 13 facilities on the NASCAR schedule to host more than one race weekend a year. The track is both the first and last stop in the western United States, as well as the fourth and the last track on the schedule.

This was the first time the championship race was held in Phoenix.

Championship drivers

Joey Logano was the first of the four drivers to clinch a spot in the Championship 4, winning the first race of the Round of 8 at Kansas.

Chase Elliott clinched the second spot in the Championship 4, winning the final race of the Round of 8 at Martinsville.

Brad Keselowski clinched the third spot in the Championship 4 based on points.

Denny Hamlin clinched the final spot in the Championship 4 based on points.

Entry list

  • (R) denotes rookie driver.
  • (i) denotes driver who are ineligible for series driver points.
  • (CC) denotes championship contender
No. Driver Team Manufacturer
00Quin Houff (R)StarCom RacingChevrolet
1Kurt BuschChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet
2Brad Keselowski (CC)Team PenskeFord
3Austin DillonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet
4Kevin HarvickStewart-Haas RacingFord
6Ryan NewmanRoush Fenway RacingFord
7Garrett Smithley (i)Tommy Baldwin RacingChevrolet
8Tyler Reddick (R)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet
9Chase Elliott (CC)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
10Aric AlmirolaStewart-Haas RacingFord
11Denny Hamlin (CC)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota
12Ryan BlaneyTeam PenskeFord
13Ty DillonGermain RacingChevrolet
14Clint BowyerStewart-Haas RacingFord
15Brennan Poole (R)Premium MotorsportsChevrolet
17Chris BuescherRoush Fenway RacingFord
18Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyota
19Martin Truex Jr.Joe Gibbs RacingToyota
20Erik JonesJoe Gibbs RacingToyota
21Matt DiBenedettoWood Brothers RacingFord
22Joey Logano (CC)Team PenskeFord
24William ByronHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
27J. J. Yeley (i)Rick Ware RacingChevrolet
32Corey LaJoieGo Fas RacingFord
34Michael McDowellFront Row MotorsportsFord
37Ryan PreeceJTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet
38John Hunter Nemechek (R)Front Row MotorsportsFord
41Cole Custer (R)Stewart-Haas RacingFord
42Matt KensethChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet
43Bubba WallaceRichard Petty MotorsportsChevrolet
47Ricky Stenhouse Jr.JTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet
48Jimmie JohnsonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
51Joey Gase (i)Petty Ware RacingFord
53James DavisonRick Ware RacingFord
66Timmy Hill (i)MBM MotorsportsToyota
77Josh Bilicki (i)Spire MotorsportsChevrolet
88Alex BowmanHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
95Christopher Bell (R)Leavine Family RacingToyota
96Daniel SuárezGaunt Brothers RacingToyota
Official entry list

Qualifying

Chase Elliott was awarded the pole for the race as determined by competition-based formula.[4] However he was sent to the rear of the field as a result of failing pre-race inspection multiple times.[7]

Starting Lineup

Pos No. Driver Team Manufacturer
1 9Chase Elliott (CC)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
2 22Joey Logano (CC)Team PenskeFord
3 2Brad Keselowski (CC)Team PenskeFord
4 11Denny Hamlin (CC)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota
5 12Ryan BlaneyTeam PenskeFord
6 88Alex BowmanHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
7 1Kurt BuschChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet
8 18Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyota
9 14Clint BowyerStewart-Haas RacingFord
10 10Aric AlmirolaStewart-Haas RacingFord
11 4Kevin HarvickStewart-Haas RacingFord
12 21Matt DiBenedettoWood Brothers RacingFord
13 19Martin Truex Jr.Joe Gibbs RacingToyota
14 20Erik JonesJoe Gibbs RacingToyota
15 41Cole Custer (R)Stewart-Haas RacingFord
16 42Matt KensethChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet
17 95Christopher Bell (R)Leavine Family RacingToyota
18 3Austin DillonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet
19 6Ryan NewmanRoush Fenway RacingFord
20 47Ricky Stenhouse Jr.JTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet
21 8Tyler Reddick (R)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet
22 13Ty DillonGermain RacingChevrolet
23 43Bubba WallaceRichard Petty MotorsportsChevrolet
24 37Ryan PreeceJTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet
25 24William ByronHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
26 48Jimmie JohnsonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
27 38John Hunter Nemechek (R)Front Row MotorsportsFord
28 32Corey LaJoieGo Fas RacingFord
29 34Michael McDowellFront Row MotorsportsFord
30 96Daniel SuárezGaunt Brothers RacingToyota
31 17Chris BuescherRoush Fenway RacingFord
32 27J. J. Yeley (i)Rick Ware RacingChevrolet
33 66Timmy Hill (i)MBM MotorsportsToyota
34 00Quin Houff (R)StarCom RacingChevrolet
35 15Brennan Poole (R)Premium MotorsportsChevrolet
36 53James DavisonRick Ware RacingFord
37 51Joey Gase (i)Petty Ware RacingFord
38 77Josh Bilicki (i)Spire MotorsportsChevrolet
39 7Garrett Smithley (i)Tommy Baldwin RacingChevrolet
Official starting lineup

Race

Chase Elliott won the race and his first Cup Series championship title.
  • Note: Chase Elliott, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, and Denny Hamlin are not eligible for stage points because of their participation in the Championship 4.

Stage Results

Stage One Laps: 75

Pos No Driver Team Manufacturer Points
122Joey Logano (CC)Team PenskeFord0
211Denny Hamlin (CC)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota0
39Chase Elliott (CC)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet0
42Brad Keselowski (CC)Team PenskeFord0
512Ryan BlaneyTeam PenskeFord6
618Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyota5
788Alex BowmanHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet4
814Clint BowyerStewart-Haas RacingFord3
91Kurt BuschChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet2
1021Matt DiBenedettoWood Brothers RacingFord1
Official stage one results

Stage Two Laps: 115

Pos No Driver Team Manufacturer Points
12Brad Keselowski (CC)Team PenskeFord0
29Chase Elliott (CC)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet0
322Joey Logano (CC)Team PenskeFord0
411Denny Hamlin (CC)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota0
512Ryan BlaneyTeam PenskeFord6
648Jimmie JohnsonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet5
71Kurt BuschChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet4
818Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyota3
921Matt DiBenedettoWood Brothers RacingFord2
1024William ByronHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet1
Official stage two results

Final Stage Results

Stage Three Laps: 122

Pos Grid No Driver Team Manufacturer Laps Points
119Chase Elliott (CC)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet31240
232Brad Keselowski (CC)Team PenskeFord31235
3222Joey Logano (CC)Team PenskeFord31234
4411Denny Hamlin (CC)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota31233
52648Jimmie JohnsonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet31237
6512Ryan BlaneyTeam PenskeFord31243
7114Kevin HarvickStewart-Haas RacingFord31230
81221Matt DiBenedettoWood Brothers RacingFord31232
92524William ByronHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet31229
101319Martin Truex Jr.Joe Gibbs RacingToyota31227
11818Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyota31234
1271Kurt BuschChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet31230
131010Aric AlmirolaStewart-Haas RacingFord31124
14914Clint BowyerStewart-Haas RacingFord31126
152343Bubba WallaceRichard Petty MotorsportsChevrolet31122
16688Alex BowmanHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet31125
171795Christopher Bell (R)Leavine Family RacingToyota31120
18183Austin DillonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet31119
19218Tyler Reddick (R)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet31118
203117Chris BuescherRoush Fenway RacingFord31117
212213Ty DillonGermain RacingChevrolet31116
221420Erik JonesJoe Gibbs RacingToyota31115
232934Michael McDowellFront Row MotorsportsFord31114
24196Ryan NewmanRoush Fenway RacingFord31113
251642Matt KensethChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet31112
262738John Hunter Nemechek (R)Front Row MotorsportsFord31111
272047Ricky Stenhouse Jr.JTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet31010
281541Cole Custer (R)Stewart-Haas RacingFord3109
293515Brennan Poole (R)Premium MotorsportsChevrolet3098
303227J. J. Yeley (i)Rick Ware RacingChevrolet3060
313096Daniel SuárezGaunt Brothers RacingToyota3066
323751Joey Gase (i)Petty Ware RacingFord3020
333653James DavisonRick Ware RacingFord3024
342437Ryan PreeceJTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet2993
353877Josh Bilicki (i)Spire MotorsportsChevrolet2960
363366Timmy Hill (i)MBM MotorsportsToyota2880
37397Garrett Smithley (i)Tommy Baldwin RacingChevrolet2610
382832Corey LaJoieGo Fas RacingFord2151
393400Quin Houff (R)StarCom RacingChevrolet1491
Official race results

Race statistics

  • Lead changes: 19 among 9 different drivers
  • Cautions/Laps: 4 for 27
  • Red flags: 0
  • Time of race: 2 hours, 47 minutes and 0 seconds
  • Average speed: 112.096 miles per hour (180.401 km/h)

Media

Television

NBC Sports covered the race on the television side. Rick Allen, two–time Phoenix winner Jeff Burton, Steve Letarte, and three-time Phoenix winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. called the action from the booth. Dave Burns, Parker Kligerman, Marty Snider, and Kelli Stavast handled the pit road duties, and Rutledge Wood handled the features from his home during the race.

NBC
Booth announcersPit reportersFeatures reporter
Lap-by-lap: Rick Allen
Color-commentator: Jeff Burton
Color-commentator: Steve Letarte
Color-commentator: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dave Burns
Parker Kligerman
Marty Snider
Kelli Stavast
Rutledge Wood

Radio

MRN covered the radio call for the race, which was simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. Alex Hayden, Jeff Striegle, and Rusty Wallace called the action from the broadcast booth when the field raced down the front straightaway. Dave Moody called the action from turns 1 & 2 and Mike Bagley called the action from turns 3 & 4. Winston Kelley and Steve Post covered the action for MRN from pit lane.

MRN
Booth announcersTurn announcersPit reporters
Lead announcer: Alex Hayden
Announcer: Jeff Striegle
Announcer: Rusty Wallace
Turns 1 & 2: Dave Moody
Turns 3 & 4: Mike Bagley
Winston Kelley
Steve Post

Standings after the race

References

  1. "2020 schedule". Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. January 17, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  2. "Phoenix International Raceway". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group, LLC. January 3, 2013. Archived from the original on March 10, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  3. "Entry List" (PDF). Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  4. "Starting Lineup". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group, LLC. November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  5. "Season Finale 500 Results". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group, LLC. November 8, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  6. "Points standings" (PDF). Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. November 8, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  7. "Chase Elliott starts from rear, No. 9 fails pre-race inspection | NASCAR". 8 November 2020.
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