Dear Diary: Andy won a race today. He’s currently walking around the house like he just discovered a new color. He’s already started calling his drivers his “Big Three”—I’m not even sure if he knows what that means, but he’s clearly obsessed with it. I need him to come back to earth before the checkered flag in Vegas!

In all seriousness, the Valley of the Sun lived up to its name, turning the Phoenix race into a chaotic test of endurance. While Ryan Blaney finally broke the Tyler Reddick stranglehold to secure a massive win for Team Penske, the afternoon was a wild ride. Blaney made a gutsy call for a two-tire stop with 10 laps to go, successfully holding off a charging Christopher Bell to take the checkered flag.

It wasn’t a clean race by any means. A new track record with 12 cautions, leading to 86 yellow-flag laps and 10 DNFs—an attrition rate that meant there was almost no flow to the afternoon. However, the chaos forced action, delivering 23 lead changes and 8 different leaders. Here is our breakdown of how the rivalry fared.

✍️ Entry 1: Post Race Pulse – Sorting Through the Wreckage!

Andy: FINALLY! Windy City Racin’ managed to eke out a 14-point win in the desert. My “Big Three”—Blaney, Bell, and Larson—swept the podium (1st, 2nd, and 3rd), and I managed to place five drivers in the Top 15. Not having Bowman active again was a blow, and losing Zilisch to a blown brake rotor was frustrating, but a win is a win. I’ll take it!

Leesl: You barely scraped by Andy! And you’re bringing up the “Big Three” again? 🙄 You’re acting like you’ve got the 1990s Bulls starting lineup, but hey, if calling them that helps you sleep at night, go for it.

Riding high after my win in Austin, I was ready to dominate Phoenix. We had a solid weekend with Joey Logano on the pole and four drivers in the Top 10, but we just couldn’t seal the deal. Hamlin, Wallace, Reddick, and Byron looked strong, but Chastain and Briscoe were absolute disasters. Seeing Logano cause two of his own incidents before being knocked out with 60 laps to go was a tough pill to swallow. Time for Lone Star Racin’ to bounce back in Sin City!

✍️ Entry 2: The Vegas Game Plan – Rolling the Dice!

Andy: Off we go to the “Diamond in the Desert.” This track is legendary for its 20-degree banked turns and speeds pushing 200 mph. Like Phoenix, the weather is perfect, and the lights of the Strip aren’t far from the asphalt. In a town built on gambling, Windy City Racin’ needs to know when to push our chips to the center and when to play it smart.

Leesl: The bright lights of Vegas don’t phase Lone Star Racin’. We’re here to reclaim the win column and extend our lead. I’ve got a lineup built for this track—drivers who don’t need to gamble to find the front of the pack. I’m looking for a clean, fast race and a decisive victory.

Andy: Losing Alex Bowman to vertigo again hurts the roster, no doubt. But I’m leaning heavily on Blaney, Larson, and Keselowski—they are absolute monsters on this track. Plus, having Christopher Bell on the pole gives me the momentum I need. I just need them to keep their heads on straight.

Leesl: You’re feeling confident after one close win, Andy, but let’s look at the stats. Lone Star Racin’ has Logano, Hamlin, Chastain, Reddick, and Wallace—all of whom have a history of success here. I’m predicting tight racing, but I’ve got the horsepower to pull away in the final laps.

Chase for the Cup: Our 2026 Standings!

Team	Owner	Points	Status
Lone Star Racin’	Leesl	943	Leader 📈
Windy City Racin’	Andy	770	Chasing 📉

Our Rosters:

• Leesl’s Lone Star Racin’ – These boots are meant for racing!
  • Hamlin, Logano, Reddick, Byron, Briscoe, Wallace, SVG, Chastain.
• Andy’s Windy City Racin’ – From second city to first place!
  • Elliott, Larson, Blaney (Win! 🏆), Bell, Bowman, Buescher, Keselowski, Zilisch.

The Victory Lane Verdict 🏁

Andy: Coming off the Phoenix win, the momentum is swinging my way. I’m leaning into a bit of St. Patrick’s luck, and I’m betting my Big Three—Larson, Blaney, and Bell—will carry me to victory lane in both the race and our team competition.

Leesl: Relying on St. Paddy’s magic isn’t a race strategy, Andy—it’s a wish. You need precision and teamwork to survive Vegas. Lone Star Racin’ has both. With Hamlin, Wallace, and Reddick all piloting Toyotas and MJ on-site to keep the pressure high, I’m feeling good about our chances. Time to cash in!

Final entry: If Andy loses in Vegas, I’m officially retiring the “Big Three” nickname. I’ve already got a much worse one ready to go.

Join the Crew!

Sound off below: Vegas is a total crapshoot—are you betting on a repeat performance in the desert, or are you pulling for a total shake-up in the standings? Let us know who you’re placing your chips on! 🎲👇