Ryan Blaney, the defending NASCAR Cup Series champion, demonstrated strong momentum heading into championship weekend by posting the fastest lap in Friday’s final practice session at Phoenix Raceway.

The practice session, which ran for 50 minutes, marked the last on-track preparation before Saturday’s qualifying and Sunday’s championship race, scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

Blaney, who is aiming to become the first driver since Jimmie Johnson’s historic five-consecutive titles (2006-2010) to secure back-to-back championships, showed impressive consistency throughout the session. He dominated not only the single-lap speeds but also led the field in five, 10, and 15-lap consecutive averages.

Among the other Championship 4 contenders:

• William Byron placed fourth on the speed chart
• Joey Logano finished ninth
• Tyler Reddick ended the session 21st

Logano showed promising long-run pace, ranking second in 10-lap averages and sixth in 15-lap runs. Byron also demonstrated strong potential with fifth place in 10-lap averages and third in 15-lap runs. Reddick managed to secure the tenth position in 10-lap averages.

Notable performances from non-championship contenders included Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Larson, who finished second and third respectively on the speed chart, while Austin Cindric rounded out the top five.

The session saw only one incident, with veteran driver Jimmie Johnson experiencing a spin.

The four championship contenders will return to the track on Saturday for qualifying, before Sunday’s winner-take-all season finale that will determine the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series champion.