AVONDALE, Ariz. — NASCAR President Steve Phelps defended the four drivers racing for the Cup Series championship this weekend — even though others had better statistics than the finalists — as well as the playoff system itself in Friday's annual State of the Sport address. Reigning champion Ryan Blaney, Team Penske teammate Joey Logano, Daytona 500 winner William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports and regular-season champion Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing will race for the title Sunday in the winner-take-all-finale at Phoenix Raceway.
Phelps admitted NASCAR has heard fan backlash that the most deserving drivers were eliminated from the title-deciding race, including Kyle Larson, who led the Cup Series with six wins this season, and Christopher Bell, who was outstanding in the third round of the playoffs but disqualified for riding the wall last week at Martinsville Speedway in a move deemed to be a safety violation. People are also reading..
. Mike Gundy sends message to Oklahoma State football fans 2024 election results for Tulsa and Oklahoma Oklahoma State president releases statement following Mike Gundy comments More signs point to Meta data center coming to Tulsa Berry Tramel: Does Mike Gundy still want to coach; Do OSU donors still want him to? McAlester places head football coach Forrest Mazey on administrative leave Oklahoma State announces second-half kickoff time vs Arizona State following weather delay Monroe Nichols wins in convincing fashion to become Tulsa's 41st .
