NASCAR president Steve Phelps on ‘Let’s go, Brandon,’ rotating championship race, COVID vaccines

NASCAR

Editor’s note: This story contains mentions of sexual assault.

AVONDALE, Ariz. — NASCAR president Steve Phelps addressed several topics — including the sport’s COVID-19 vaccination rate, schedule changes and the origins of “Let’s go, Brandon” — Friday at Phoenix Raceway during his annual state of the sport press conference.

The one-mile desert track is hosting NASCAR’s championship weekend for the second consecutive year, with the Truck Series race Friday, the Xfinity Series race Saturday and culminating in the Cup Series’ finale on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, NBC).

Here are six key takeaways from Phelps’ press conference ahead of the three championship races.

Related: NASCAR’s final 4 championship contenders explain why they’ll win it all at Phoenix

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