Chase Elliott wins Stage 2 at Phoenix as penalty costs Logano

Elliott led 65 laps in Stage 2 at Phoenix International Raceway.

“It’s really important to be out front, that’s the name of the game,” Elliott said.

Kyle Larson was second followed by Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson and Brad Keselowski.

Jamie McMurray, Erik Jones, Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick rounded out the top 10.

Elliott and Larson went three-wide on the backstretch to pass Logano after the first lap. Keselowski and Kyle Busch lined up fourth and fifth.

After the first 10 laps, Elliott maintained the lead followed by Larson, Logano, Keselowski and Kyle Busch. Keselowski developed an issue with his radio and the team could not communicate with the driver.

By Lap 100, Elliott and Larson had extended their lead while Keselowski moved into third followed by Logano and Kyle Busch. On Lap 101, Jimmie Johnson passed Ryan Blaney for seventh. Five laps later, fans had the awaited rematch as Kyle Busch passed Logano for fifth — but made the move without incident.

The first caution of the segment (Caution 3) occurred on Lap 117 in Turn 1 when Corey LaJoie hit the wall. Elliott remained at the point followed by Larson, Keselowski, Kyle Busch and Logano when the leaders used the opportunity to pit.

Elliott was the first driver off of pit road followed by Larson, Kyle Busch, Johnson, Logano, Blaney, McMurray, Harvick, Keselowski and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Logano was busted for speeding on pit road in Section 14 and was forced to start at the rear in 36th-place.
After the field restarted on Lap 122, Elliott, Larson, Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson maintained the top four positions, but McMurray moved up to fifth.

Logano advanced to 22nd-place at the end of the stage. Thirty-one cars remained on the lead lap.