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Three races for the NASCAR Cup Series 2022 season are done and dusted. Drivers will be battling at Phoenix Raceway for the 2022 Ruoff Mortgage 500, with the event rolling out at 3:30 pm ET on March 13.
All drivers are excited about the event and believe they have worked well enough towards the race. Cup Series rookie and Daytona 500 winner Austin Cindric has expressed his feelings towards the Phoenix race after winning the qualifying pole for group A. Cindric said:
“My right butt cheek was on fire after like two (practice) laps because I don’t have the muscle memory for this car”
He went ahead and clarified his point, saying:
“The reason I say that is because Xfinity (Series) cars or the previous generation car had more side force and more yaw in the corner, and your body is in a different position and you are bracing yourself in a different position. Things that are just easy muscle memory are now orientated much differently. It is like if you were to put your seat in a different spot. Those things are becoming more normal and that will continue to progress.”
Though he won the Daytona 500, the rookie just made his debut for the Cup Series the same day and has been adopting the environment for the past three races.
Highlights from the previous NASCAR Cup Series races of 2022 season
Austin Cindric was the first winner of 2022 season at Daytona International Speedway, winning his first race of the season as well as his first race of the Cup series. The Team Penske driver then went ahead and proved his capability by winning the Auto Club Speedway pole at Wise Power 400.
The Hendrick Motorsports car #5 driver Kyle Larson finally carried the second NASCAR race at Auto Club Speedway. Larson initially won the Daytona 500 pole and was the favorite driver to win the race.
Larson was also considered the favorite to win the Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas, but he finished as a runner-up while his teammate Alex Bowman took the lead. Larson is currently leading the Cup Series with 113 points, one win from one pole, and two top-ten finishes. Meanwhile, Hendricks Motorsports is leading with two back-to-back races.
In today’s Ruoff Mortgage 500, Larson is the favorite followed by Martin Truex Jr., who will be defending his win.
