William Byron wins second consecutive race, holds off Ryan Blaney in Phoenix

William Byron matched his win complete from final season as he completed first within the United Rentals Work 500 at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday to mark his second consecutive victory.

Byron wanted additional time to seize his second NASCAR Cup Series win of the season. He surged previous Kyle Larson and held off a charging Ryan Blaney down the stretch to safe the win. Tyler Reddick would end third with Larson in fourth and Kevin Harvick in fifth.

Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, William Byron, driver of the #24 Valvoline Chevrolet, Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Shingrix Toyota, and Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Rheem Toyota, race throughout the NASCAR Cup Series United Rentals Work United 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 12, 2023 in Avondale, Arizona. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

A late warning flag despatched the race into additional time. At the restart, Byron sat on the surface of Larson and was propelled into first place.

Byron credited his crew chief, Rudy Fugle, for sticking with two contemporary tires in a strategic second for serving to him at the least get right into a place the place he may catapult into first place. The technique paid off as Byron drove the No. 24 automobile again to the Winner’s Circle for the second straight time.

SAMMY SMITH, 18-YEAR-OLD HIGH SCHOOLER, PICKS UP FIRST XFINITY SERIES WIN

William Byron, driver of the #24 Valvoline Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Cup Series United Rentals Work United 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 12, 2023 in Avondale, Arizona. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The win marks the sixth victory of his profession. He gained final week at Las Vegas.

He additionally picked up factors with a Stage 1 victory. Larson, who sat on the pole for the race, completed first in Stage 2. 

Byron is the primary driver this season to have a number of wins. His victories give him an incredible likelihood at making the playoffs later this season. He began the race within the third spot. Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, Kyle Busch, Alex Bowman and Josh Berry rounded out the highest 10.

William Byron, driver of the #24 Valvoline Chevrolet, drives throughout qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series United Rentals Work United 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 11, 2023 in Avondale, Arizona. (Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

NASCAR will head to Atlanta subsequent week for the Ambetter Health 400.