NASCAR at Phoenix 2021 Results: Martin Truex Jr. Secures 1st Win of Season

Timothy Rapp @@TRappaRTFeatured ColumnistMarch 14, 2021

Martin Truex Jr (19) and Joey Logano (22) race through Turn 4 during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, March 14, 2021, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

Ralph Freso/Associated Press

The NASCAR Cup Series has had plenty of variety in 2021.

Martin Truex Jr. became the fifth driver on the circuit to win in as many races after taking the checkered flag at Phoenix Raceway's Instacart 500 on Sunday.

FOX: NASCAR @NASCARONFOX
Retweet to congratulate @MartinTruex_Jr on his WIN at Phoenix Raceway! https://t.co/9zgVIXqOXS

Jeff Gluck @jeff_gluck
Playoff drivers so far: Michael McDowell Christopher Bell William Byron Kyle Larson Martin Truex Jr. Two Hendrick, two Gibbs, one Front Row.

Jenna Fryer @JennaFryer
Both Gibbs and Hendrick have 2 of 4 drivers locked into the playoffs through five races.

Joey Logano finished second, with Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski and Chase Elliott rounding out the top five. Ryan Blaney won the first stage, while Logano took the second.

Bob Pockrass @bobpockrass
Ryan Blaney earns his first stage win of the season by capturing the opening stage at Phoenix. https://t.co/qMz9H2ZLPz

FOX: NASCAR @NASCARONFOX
First stage win of 2021 for @joeylogano! @CocaColaRacing | #NASCAR https://t.co/3aSudCn8ID

But the day belonged to Truex, who led for 64 laps and took control of the race after passing Logano following a late restart. It was a tough result for Logano, who led for a race-high 143 laps.

NASCAR @NASCAR
.@joeylogano breaks down the final restart in his runner-up finish at @phoenixraceway. https://t.co/eHmt2bh2J5

Joey Logano @joeylogano
Finishing P2 sucks, but it was definitely a solid day at the track. Led the most laps. Finished P2 in Stage 1. Won Stage 2. And the 22 Pit Crew nailed it all day long. We’ll be in Victory Lane soon! https://t.co/yAAiwUIkPo

"I can't really believe it. I'm kind of speechless," Truex said on the Fox broadcast after his win. "This feels pretty amazing, you know? Phoenix has been a tough one for us, and to come here and win this, I wish it was November, but hopefully we can come back here in November and have a shot at being in the final four."

Jamie Little @JamieLittleTV
Talking with @MartinTruex_Jr after his first career victory at @phoenixraceway! More» https://t.co/rR21HEjm8E https://t.co/BqttXhpyt9

It was a big victory for Truex, who hadn't won in his previous 29 races dating back to June 2020.

"I've got an awesome team," Truex added. "We had a tough year last year. A little bit up and down, a little bit rocky. But really proud of them and...that was a hell of an effort today from everybody."

Up next for NASCAR is the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday on Fox at 3 p.m. ET.

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