Exploring the Top 5 NASCAR races from the 2023 season

The 2023 NASCAR season came to an emphatic end when Ryan Blaney clinched his first-ever Cup Series championship at the Phoenix Raceway. With a season full of highs and lows and its fair share of dramatic moments, the 2023 NASCAR season proved to be a rollercoaster of emotions.

On one hand, legends like Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch bid farewell to the sport. On the other, high-voltage on-track drama brewed throughout the season, ranging from dramatic crashes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship race to Ross Chastain landing a punch on Noah Gragson following the Kansas race.

In this list, we take a look at the 5 best races from the 2023 NASCAR season that had fans on the edge of their seats till the final lap.

5. Coca Cola 600 (Charlotte Motor Speedway)

After the 2022 race set the bar high, Coca Cola 600 lived up to its expectations in 2023. Following a delayed start to the race due to rain, Ryan Blaney secured the first win of his championship-winning season, setting the stage for what was to follow. The Team Penske star put an end to his longest winless streak after coming alive in the latter stages of the race.

The Coca Cola 600 featured a dramatic moment when Chase Elliott hooked Denny Hamlin into the front straightaway wall, resulting in a significant collision and a subsequent suspension for Elliott.

4. Goodyear 400 (Darlington Speedway)

Although it was Hendrick Motorsports' William Byron who took home the victory at Darlington Speedway, The Goodyear 400 became a turning point in the season, particularly for Ross Chastain. The Trackhouse Racing driver took the lead after Martin Truex Jr. dominated the first half of the race.

However, a late restart battle between Chastain and Kyle Larson ended in a collision with five laps to go, taking both drivers out of the race. The former received widespread criticism for his move. Kevin Harvick, who was competing in his final season, delivered his best performance of the season with a runner-up finish.

3. Xfinity Series Championship race (Phoenix Raceway)

After finishing as the runner-up in the championship twice in his career, Stewart-Haas Racing's Cole Custer finally clinched the first title of his career after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series season finale at the Phoenix Raceway.

His path to glory, however, was a tricky affair. With fellow Championship 4 drivers Justin Allgaier and Cup Series-bound John Hunter Nemechek coming three-wide in the second-last lap, a last-gasp finish looked set in stone. However, Allgaier and Nemechek made contact following the last restart, giving Custer the opportunity to steer away with the title in spectacular fashion.

John Hunter Nemechek finished the race in the 28th position after hitting the wall in the final lap. Sheldon Creed finished as the runner-up and was followed by Justin Allgaier, who, once again, fell short of the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship.

2. Advent Health 400 (Kansas Speedway)

After going winless for 33 Cup races, stars finally aligned for Denny Hamlin at the Kansas Speedway in May. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver was involved in a memorable duel with Kyle Larson for a major chunk of the final 30 laps before nudging the Hendrick Motorsports No.5 Chevrolet driver in the last lap, pushing him into the outside wall. The dramatic victory was Hamlin's first in over a year and set the stage for an entertaining season that followed for the 43-year-old.

However, the real drama unfolded on pit road as Ross Chastain was punched by Noah Gragson after a heated argument following the race between the duo. While no penalties were imposed, the incident stirred conversations, making this race a talking point throughout the season.

1. Grant Park 220 (Chicago Street Course)

History was created at the Chicago Street Course in 2023 when Australian Supercars driver Shane van Gisbergen clinched a masterful victory on his NASCAR debut, becoming the first driver to achieve the feat in 60 years.

The first-ever street race contested in NASCAR history, Grant Park 220 was yet another rain-hit affair, forced down to 75 laps from an originally planned 100-lap race. The thrilling race on a wet surface was initially dominated by Christopher Bell, who secured the first two stages.

However, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver was forced down the grid after being involved in a 50th-lap pile-up. A late caution set the stage for a restart with five laps to go, with Justin Haley in the lead. However, Kiwi driver Van Gisbergen put on an exceptional display of racing brilliance, exchanging leads with Haley before finally sealing the deal on Turn 4.