How the race order will be set for Sunday’s Cup Series season finale at Phoenix

The 2020 NASCAR season is coming to a close, as the Season Finale 500 is set to run on Sunday at Phoenix Raceway. The race will begin at 3:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NBC. Let’s go over the starting order and the betting favorites ahead of the championship race.

Only Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Chase Elliott, and Denny Hamlin will be racing for the championship. The highest finisher among the four will be named champion but they will have to compete against a full field of drivers.

NASCAR will only allow the four championship drivers to start inside the top four on the grid. Elliott secured the pole position by winning last Sunday’s Xfinity 500. He’ll be joined by Logano on the front row while Keselowski and Hamlin will start on the second row.

The starting grid for the championship series is typically determined through the following metrics:

• Finishing position from the previous race (weighted 50%)
• Ranking in team owner points standings (35%)
• Fastest lap from the previous race (15%)

NASCAR will only allow the four championship drivers to start inside the top four on the grid. Elliott secured the pole position by winning last Sunday’s Xfinity 500. He’ll be joined by Logano on the front row while Keselowski and Hamlin will start on the second row.

While only one of the four drivers listed above can be named champion, one driver outside of the playoff picture is favored to win the race. Kevin Harvick has the best odds at +400 on DraftKings Sportsbook and has the best average finishing position (9th) at Phoenix among active drivers. He’s trailed by Elliott and Hamlin, who are both +450. The top five is rounded out by Keselowski (+500) and Logano (+550)

Here’s what the starting grid looks like for Sunday’s race.