Things can get testy when the NASCAR Cup Series comes to Phoenix Raceway.
The bright sunlight, the rising track temperatures, the dirty air — all can make the one-mile track difficult to traverse. Although not known for its wrecks like Daytona or Talladega, “The Desert Oddball” has had its fair share of dustups.
Whether it was Jeff Gordon’s wreck that knocked Clint Bowyer out of the 2012 Chase or Denny Hamlin’s spill that devoured contenders Kurt Busch and Chase Elliott in 2019, Phoenix has had moments of madness.
MORE: Date, time, TV channels for every NASCAR Cup Series race in 2023
Perhaps Sunday will provide more chaos when racers take part in the United Rentals Work United 500. It’s a big race for more reasons than one: it also gives drivers a preview of what is to come in the Cup Series championship race in November.
Kevin Harvick has achieved unprecedented success at Phoenix, and although the veteran hasn’t gotten off to the hottest of starts in 2023, he has to be considered among the favorites simply for that history.
MORE: Watch NASCAR races live with fuboTV (free trial)
The Sporting News is tracking live updates from the United Rentals Work United 500 at Phoenix Raceway. Below are the highlights and live results from all the action under the beaming Arizona sun.
United Rentals Work United 500 live updates, highlights from 2023 race
(All times Eastern)
3:39 p.m.: Engines started here at Phoenix. Should be a compelling race.
3:15 p.m.: Zane Smith headed to the rear after encountering a power-steering problem earlier in the day.
Only car to the rear so far is the Zane Smith car as they had to repair a power steering leak this morning. https://t.co/P3hzi7qSTF
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 12, 2023
3:05 p.m.: It’ll be a packed house today at Phoenix Raceway.
You heard it here first…we are SOLD OUT for the #UnitedRentals500! pic.twitter.com/JfJ6nT0I4K
— Phoenix Raceway (@phoenixraceway) March 12, 2023
Phoenix Raceway announces today’s #NASCAR race is a sellout. Fourth straight Phoenix sellout.
NASCAR opens the season with sellouts in three of the first four events (Daytona 500, Fontana, Phoenix).
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) March 12, 2023
3:00 p.m.: Kyle Larson looks ready to operate today. Here he is discussing how he was pleasantly surprised with Hendrick’s performance at Phoenix this weekend:
Kyle Larson is on the pole for the race today. He was happy with the car Saturday as he backed up the fast speed in practice. He was worried coming into the weekend because Hendrick wasn’t part of the January test at Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/F3onyxZw1w
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 12, 2023
United Rentals Work United 500 2023 starting lineup
| Starting pos. | Driver | Car No. | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Kyle Larson | 5 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 2. | Denny Hamlin | 11 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 3. | William Byron | 24 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 4. | Brad Keselowski | 6 | RFK Racing |
| 5. | Christopher Bell | 20 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 6. | Ross Chastain | 1 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 7. | Michael McDowell | 34 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 8. | Ryan Blaney | 12 | Team Penske |
| 9. | Kyle Busch | 8 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 10. | Erik Jones | 43 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 11. | Daniel Suarez | 99 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 12. | Tyler Reddick | 45 | 23XI Racing |
| 13. | Martin Truex Jr. | 19 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 14. | Ty Gibbs | 54 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 15. | Kevin Harvick | 4 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 16. | Joey Logano | 22 | Team Penske |
| 17. | Josh Berry | 9 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 18. | Alex Bowman | 48 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 19. | Bubba Wallace | 23 | 23XI Racing |
| 20. | Austin Cindric | 2 | Team Penske |
| 21. | Chris Buescher | 17 | RFK Racing |
| 22. | AJ Allmendinger | 16 | Kaulig Racing |
| 23. | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 | JTG Daugherty Racing |
| 24. | Chase Briscoe | 14 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 25. | Ryan Preece | 41 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 26. | Justin Haley | 31 | Kaulig Racing |
| 27. | Harrison Burton | 21 | Wood Brothers Racing |
| 28. | Corey LaJoie | 7 | Spire Motorsports |
| 29. | Todd Gilliland | 15 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 30. | Austin Dillon | 3 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 31. | Aric Almirola | 10 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 32. | Noah Gragson | 42 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 33. | BJ McLeod | 78 | Live Fast Motorsports |
| 34. | Zane Smith | 38 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 35. | Ty Dillon | 77 | Spire Motorsports |
| 36. | Cody Ware | 51 | Rick Ware Racing |
What channel is the United Rentals Work United 500 on today?
- TV channel: Fox (U.S.) | TSN5 (Canada)
- Live stream: FoxSports.com, fuboTV
This year’s United Rentals Work United 500 will be broadcast on Fox in the United States. Canadian viewers can find the race on TSN5.
Mike Joy will lead the coverage, serving as the race’s lap-by-lap announcer. He’ll be joined in the booth by former Cup Series drivers Clint Bowyer and Danica Patrick.
Cord-cutters can find Sunday’s race on FoxSports.com, as well as fuboTV, which offers a free trial.
What time does the United Rentals Work United 500 start today?
- Date: Sunday, March 12
- Start time: 3:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. local time)
Sunday’s race is listed to start at 3:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. local time), but pre-race activities will push the green flag to 3:47 p.m. ET (12:47 p.m. local time).
here 
.jpg?itok=Z6ZsJCDx)
