Byron captures another victory

William Byron won his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series race, taking advantage of a pair of late cautions to give the rolling Hendrick Motorsports team a victory in overtime at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Ariz.

Byron’s No. 24 Chevrolet got a great start in overtime with two laps left, and just like he did a week earlier at Las Vegas, he overtook teammate Kyle Larson for the win.

He also had to hold off Ryan Blaney, who finished second, while Tyler Reddick was third.

“I don’t love winning races that way. It’s very stressful,” Byron said, grinning. “A lot of tactics going on with the restarts.”

Kevin Harvick, who was seeking his 10th victory at Phoenix, finished fifth.

Tony Stewart ended up in the NHRA winner’s circle to start 2023 — as a team owner.

Stewart red-lighted in the second round of eliminations in the top alcohol class Saturday, but the three-time NASCAR champion finished drag racing’s season opener with Matt Hagan, one of his drivers at Tony Stewart Racing, winning the funny car finale at the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla.

Mike Salinas (top fuel), Troy Coughlin Jr. (pro stock) and Gaige Herrera (pro stock motorcycle) also won.