The biggest news of the Phoenix Raceway weekend might have been the fact that Tyler Reddick did not win a race.
After all, the NASCAR point leader, now in front by 60, was three-for-three to open the Cup season, and he appeared strong enough to threaten to win Sunday. Instead, he finished eighth. No shame in that, of course, but some might have thought he might run the table for the season.
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The most promising result of the weekend in the desert, however, was the fact that the unusual IndyCar/NASCAR doubleheader went smashingly well. There was good racing on both Saturday and Sunday, the crowd totals were good, and officials and drivers from both motorsport disciplines left the track with positive vibes. The first crossover weekend on an oval track was seen as somewhat of a gamble, but the dice landed well.
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NASCAR fans who were in town for the Sunday race but who also took in Saturday’s win by IndyCar’s Josef Newgarden got a taste of racing on the other side of the fence. Those who might have doubted the quality of the open-wheel show perhaps left impressed. The same could be said for IndyCar followers who doubled up for the NASCAR Cup race Sunday. Several IndyCar drivers were spotted along NASCAR pit row Sunday.
Team Penske fans should have been overwhelmed. Ryan Blaney sealed a big weekend for team owner Roger Penske by winning Sunday to make it a sweep for the captain.
The bigger winner could be motorsports in general.
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There should be more IndyCar/NASCAR doubleheaders in future schedules. For too many years, the powers-that-be in Indianapolis and Daytona Beach saw themselves as enemies, and for any number of reasons. NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., once unceremoniously escorted from Indianapolis Motor Speedway, built his big new track in Daytona Beach severely banked, in part, to make it more imposing and faster than Indy. Even as NASCAR grew and open-wheel racing survived a damaging split into two series, there was little love shared between the racing bosses.
The Phoenix weekend provided the perfect proof that the two forces working in unison can produce several days of racing that can lift both.
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The weekend benefitted from the fact that the Phoenix course is that rare track whose design seems ideal for both stock cars and open-wheelers. There was speed, there was passing, there was tight racing.
Of course, not every track is conducive to hosting both heavy stock cars and faster open-wheelers. But there are enough opportunities across the months to create more doubles and spread the fun around.
Schedulers from both organizations should be on the phone today working on 2027.
Mike Hembree has covered auto racing for numerous media outlets, including USA Today, NASCAR Scene, NBC Sports, The Greenville News and the SPEED Channel. He has been roaming garage areas and pit roads for decades (although the persistent rumor that he covered the first Indianapolis 500 is not true). Winner of numerous motorsports and other media awards, he also has covered virtually every other major sport. He lives near Gaffney, South Carolina and can be convinced to attend Bruce Springsteen concerts if you have tickets.Â