### Ryan Blaney Seizes Lead from Christopher Bell in Thrilling Stage 2 Battle at Phoenix Raceway

In a gripping turn of events during the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway, Ryan Blaney overtook Christopher Bell to snatch the lead just seven laps before the end of the second stage. Employing a strategic move by running the outside line, Blaney managed to generate more grip in his tires, allowing him to accelerate quickly and ultimately pass Bell on Lap 179.

The scenes leading up to this change in leadership were equally intense. By Lap 165, Blaney significantly reduced Bell's 2.2-second lead to less than half a second. Utilizing the inside line of the racetrack, Blaney demonstrated exceptional driving skills, even maneuvering below the yellow line—a permitted yet challenging move—while Bell wrestled with lapped traffic.

Meanwhile, Joey Logano showcased his racing prowess in a battle for third place with William Byron. On Lap 153, after a series of tight laps, Logano made his move, using momentum from a strong exit off Turn 4 to pass Byron on the inside of Turn 2. This placed Logano in third, trailing closely behind Blaney and Bell.

Challenges also arose in the pit teams. Joey Logano's jackman fell ill and needed assistance from the AMR Safety Team around Lap 140. Swiftly, the jackman from Austin Cindric's team was reassigned to Logano’s No. 22 team, while another jackman filled Cindric’s spot. This smooth transition ensured minimal disruptions for the racing teams.

Earlier in the race, Bell had regained the lead after the green flag pit stops around Lap 136, with Blaney close behind in second and William Byron in third, followed by Logano. The green flag pit stops leading to Lap 116, initiated by Denny Hamlin, went smoothly, with Justin Haley's minor infraction being the only incident reported.

Initially, Bell had a commanding lead from Lap 100, holding a two-second advantage over Blaney, who maneuvered past Chase Elliott to take the second spot. Despite Bell's strong start, it was Blaney’s tactical moves and persistence that reshaped the race dynamics, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race.