Taylor Gray made a statement at Phoenix Raceway, scorching the asphalt to secure the pole position for tonight’s GOVX 200. As the first one-mile oval on the 2006 calendar, Phoenix represents a critical litmus test for teams looking to find their rhythm after the twists and turns of COTA.
With the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series currently on hiatus, all eyes are on the O’Reilly Auto Parts weekend to set the stage for the desert showdown. For some, it’s an opportunity to extend early-season dominance; for others, it’s a high-stakes “rebound race” to get their championship hopes back on track.
Key Storylines to Watch
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The Mile-Track Challenge: As the first mile-long track of the year, Phoenix requires a delicate balance of downforce and braking—a massive departure from the superspeedways and road courses seen earlier this month.
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Gray’s Momentum: Starting from the top spot, Taylor Gray has the “clean air” advantage, but surviving 200 laps in the Arizona heat is a different beast entirely.
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The Doubleheader Weekend: This race serves as the ultimate appetizer for Sunday’s Cup Series main event, giving fans a full weekend of high-octane action.
O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Phoenix Starting Lineup
Qualifying: March 6, 2026; Race: March 7, 2026
|
POSITION
|
BEST SPEED
|
BEST TIME
|
BEHIND
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
T. Gray #54
|
130.743
|
27.535
|
Winner
|
|
2 |
J. Love #2
|
130.695
|
27.545
|
0.010
|
|
3 |
B. Jones #20
|
130.525
|
27.581
|
0.046
|
|
4 |
A. Alfredo #96
|
130.100
|
27.671
|
0.136
|
|
5 |
B. Crews #19
|
130.039
|
27.684
|
0.149
|
|
6 |
W. Byron #88
|
129.776
|
27.740
|
0.205
|
|
7 |
S. Smith #8
|
129.739
|
27.748
|
0.213
|
|
8 |
C. Day #17
|
129.692
|
27.758
|
0.223
|
|
9 |
J. Burton #27
|
129.608
|
27.776
|
0.241
|
|
10 |
K. Sieg #28
|
129.413
|
27.818
|
0.283
|
|
11 |
H. Burton #24
|
129.324
|
27.837
|
0.302
|
|
12 |
S. Mayer #41
|
129.278
|
27.847
|
0.312
|
|
13 |
Austin Hill #21
|
129.116
|
27.882
|
0.347
|
|
14 |
C. Kvapil #91
|
129.079
|
27.890
|
0.355
|
|
15 |
W. Sawalich #18
|
128.852
|
27.939
|
0.404
|
|
16 |
S. Creed #00
|
128.834
|
27.943
|
0.408
|
|
17 |
J. Allgaier #7
|
128.714
|
27.969
|
0.434
|
|
18 |
R. Sieg #39
|
128.567
|
28.001
|
0.466
|
|
19 |
N. Sanchez #25
|
128.507
|
28.014
|
0.479
|
|
20 |
B. Poole #44
|
128.470
|
28.022
|
0.487
|
|
21 |
J. Clements #51
|
128.461
|
28.024
|
0.489
|
|
22 |
G. Smithley #0
|
128.265
|
28.067
|
0.532
|
|
23 |
D. Thompson #26
|
128.187
|
28.084
|
0.549
|
|
24 |
C. Smith #5
|
128.173
|
28.087
|
0.552
|
|
25 |
R. Caruth #32
|
127.982
|
28.129
|
0.594
|
|
26 |
B. Perkins #31
|
127.687
|
28.194
|
0.659
|
|
27 |
A. Green #87
|
127.682
|
28.195
|
0.660
|
|
28 |
P. Staropoli #48
|
126.895
|
28.370
|
0.835
|
|
29 |
D. Dye #52
|
126.743
|
28.404
|
0.869
|
|
30 |
L. Scott #45
|
126.484
|
28.462
|
0.927
|
|
31 |
P. Retzlaff #99
|
126.436
|
28.473
|
0.938
|
|
32 |
N. Byrd #42
|
125.479
|
28.690
|
1.155
|
|
33 |
J. Bilicki #07
|
125.183
|
28.758
|
1.223
|
|
34 |
Austin . Hill #30
|
124.533
|
28.908
|
1.373
|
|
35 |
J. Gase #35
|
124.087
|
29.012
|
1.477
|
|
36 |
D. Cram #74
|
123.907
|
29.054
|
1.519
|
|
37 |
M. Maggio #91
|
121.556
|
29.616
|
2.081
|
