Logano dominates first stage at Phoenix

Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, Chase Elliott and Jamie McMurray rounded out the top-five in the segment.

The first stage was primarily a Ford and Chevy show with Kyle Busch hovering outside of the top-five at Phoenix International Raceway before finishing sixth.

Ryan Blaney, Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman and Dale Earnhardt Jr. completed the top 10.

An altercation between Reed Sorenson and Corey LaJoie coming off of Turn 2 brought out the first caution on Lap 27. When the race restarted on Lap 32, it was still Logano in the lead followed by Larson, Earnhardt Jr., McMurray, Ryan Blaney and Keselowski. After the first lap of green, Logano and Larson were first and second but JamieMcMurray moved to third followed by Keselowski, Earnhardt and Chase Elliott.

By Lap 35, Keselowski was third, Elliott was up to fifth and passed McMurray for fourth three laps later.

With six laps remaining in the stage, Larson challenged Logano for the lead on the backstretch and pulled alongside the No. 22. However, Logano held onto the point. Thirty-two cars remaining on the lead lap. Denny Hamlin, who started from the rear after tire issues in qualifying finished 17th.

“We won our first stage of the year,” Logano said. “We’ll keep fighting hard."

Kurt Busch was too fast exiting pit road and will be held a lap for attempting to pass the pace car. Busch restarted 36th, one lap down.

Kevin Harvick, who started 23rd, gained the most positions in the stage — 14.