There was definitely a different feel for NASCAR Cup Series drivers to chase in their return to Phoenix Raceway four months after the 2025 championship race.<\/p>\n
By the end of the day, Joey Logano secured the pole for Team Penske, but only after a brief afternoon of practice in which there were several tire failures and spins that included the driver chasing four straight wins to open the 2026 season.<\/p>\n
To be clear, \u2018failure\u2019 doesn\u2019t mean an issue with Goodyear, but rather teams aggressively going as low as possible on tire pressure in the pursuit of speed with an increase to 750 horsepower from the 670 used last year.<\/p>\n
It has changed the notebook to a certain extent and teams needed to find the limit and no one did so on Saturday quite like Logano, crew chief Paul Wolfe and the Team Penske No. 22 Ford team.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would say the power is definitely in effect,\u201d said Logano during his post pole press conference. \u201cIt\u2019s not huge but it\u2019s directionally that way. Any time you talk to any driver, they\u2019re going to say put more horsepower in it, but the fact it seems like (tire) fall off is pretty high and cars are searching around has to go into the equation too right?<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re on the brakes more and on the gas a little less, but spinning the (tires) more, and it\u2019s just easier to wear them out. It just promotes a wider track and better racing. So whether it comes from the tire wear or the horsepower, it all goes together. It\u2019s all a package.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Said \u2018package\u2019 created an exciting pair of 20 minute practice sessions with RFK Racing teammates Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski each losing right front pressure. Buescher was able to nurse it to pit road but Keselowski hit the wall and needed to go to a backup car as a result.<\/p>\n
Keselowski did not turn a qualifying lap.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really surprising,\u201d Keselowski said on the Amazon Prime broadcast. \u201cWe saw that Chris had an issue so we pumped it up full of air and drove it slow to build some air and not abuse it \u2026 not sure why it would blow.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chase Briscoe said he felt the power too.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be the first to admit, I didn\u2019t think we would feel the difference in power,\u201d said Briscoe on Prime. \u201cBut I\u2019ll be the first to admit, it feels like there is way more than 750 or whatever it is. This is the most slick and wore out we\u2019ve been here. It\u2019s going to be fun tomorrow for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
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To that point, Tyler Reddick simply spun out driving too deep into the corner during practice.<\/p>\n
\u201cWas just trying to get the balance on our Jordan Brand Toyota a little bit closer,\u201d Reddick said on Prime. \u201cPractice is one of those moments where you can explore and try things but also impact your weekend pretty severely.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust pushed too far, and that\u2019s okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Logano also said he\u2019s already chomping for more power after getting a taste of 750 the past two weeks so far.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere’s no doubt Goodyear’s done an incredible job at bringing in a tire that actually falls off because for years here, you remember, gosh, you’d run a whole run and be like three tenths, four tenths slower than what you started (and) now you’re seconds off, right,\u201d said Logano. \u201cSo we’ve come a long, long ways.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoodyear’s done the biggest amount but the engine is directionally better. We have to be open for more, right, just because we\u2019re all saying this is good. It\u2019s never enough from a driver standpoint but this is going to be a great race tomorrow, one of our better races, in my opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n
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