Tyler Reddick has dominated the start of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season by winning the first three races, a rarity since every season before 2026 featured at least two different winners in those opening events. Racing for 23XI Racing, Reddick claimed victories at Daytona International Speedway, EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta Motor Speedway), and the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). As the series heads to Phoenix Raceway this weekend, attention now shifts to which driver might finally break Reddick’s streak of wins.
Although many expect the streak to end at Phoenix Raceway, Reddick’s previous successes at Daytona and Atlanta came despite never having won at those tracks prior to this year. His win at COTA also came on a longer track layout than the one used in the most recent race. At Phoenix, Reddick is listed by DraftKings Sportsbook as the sixth favorite with odds of +1100, despite two previous third-place finishes there.
The top five favorites at Phoenix are all ranked between +550 and +750 odds, indicating several strong contenders who could challenge Reddick’s NASCAR dominance this Sunday. Below is a detailed look at the five drivers most likely to claim victory at the 312-lap Straight Talk Wireless 500 on the 1.022-mile oval in Avondale, Arizona.
Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin Lead the Odds
Ryan Blaney, driving for Team Penske, shares the top spot with odds of +550. Despite never having won at Phoenix before the 2025 season finale, Blaney secured victory there last year, adding to his championship win at this track in 2023. His recent success suggests he remains a formidable competitor on one of his strongest circuits.
Also at +550 odds is Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin, who dominated the Phoenix race in November. Hamlin would ideally enter this weekend as both the current track winner and the reigning series champion. After a challenging start to the 2026 season, he is likely highly motivated to rebound on a track he knows well.
Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell as Strong Contenders
Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports is listed with +650 odds. He is routinely among the favorites whenever NASCAR races on an oval track. Larson won the Phoenix championship a year ago without leading any laps in the race, and although he has not won since May 2025, he remains a persistent threat despite a streak of eight Next Gen races at Phoenix without victory.
Christopher Bell, also from Joe Gibbs Racing, shares the +650 odds rank. Bell has a strong history at Phoenix, having won the March race in both 2024 and 2025. He notably captured the second stage on those occasions and went on to win the race, even when starting outside the top 10.
William Byron’s Consistent Performance at Phoenix
William Byron from Hendrick Motorsports is the fifth driver on the list, with odds of +750. Byron won the most recent March race at Phoenix not claimed by Bell. He has demonstrated remarkable consistency, winning a stage in five of his last eight races at Phoenix and scoring points in 21 consecutive stages since 2020. Byron will also be looking to improve after a misfortune four months ago caused by a flat tire that triggered a caution.
This weekend’s Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway, scheduled for Sunday, March 8 at 3:30 p.m. ET, will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1. With these drivers pressing to end Tyler Reddick’s striking streak early this season, the race promises to be a tightly contested showdown that could shift momentum in the NASCAR Cup Series.
