Denny Hamlin Secures Coveted Pole Position for NASCAR Cup Series Championship Decider at Phoenix

PHOENIX, AZ – November 1, 2025 – Denny Hamlin has taken a significant stride toward his long-sought NASCAR Cup Series championship, capturing the pole position for the season finale at Phoenix Raceway. Hamlin, driving the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, posted a blistering lap of 28.914 seconds during Saturday’s qualifying session, earning his 48th career pole and fifth of the 2025 season. This marks a crucial advantage as the 37-year-old veteran aims to secure the elusive championship title that has eluded him over a two-decade career.

"We’re trying," a visibly pleased Hamlin commented after securing the Busch Light Pole Award. "We’re doing everything we can. I’m really proud of this whole Toyota team. We worked hard at it. We’ve really been working hard. Hopefully, we get the payoff tomorrow."

Hamlin acknowledged the importance of his starting position for Sunday’s championship race. "We’re obviously going to be in a great starting spot there," he stated. "Then we just have to make sure we do all the right things and execute the entire day. Largely, that’s going to rest on my shoulders, so I’ll do the best that I can."

The veteran driver faces stiff competition from the other three Championship 4 contenders. William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, qualified second, just 0.042 seconds behind Hamlin’s pole-winning effort. Byron, who has had a strong season, expressed confidence despite narrowly missing the top spot.

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"It’s always chaotic," Byron said of his qualifying run. "You’re coming to the green with a lot of speed, and then when we cut the dogleg, it was just a little rougher than I thought it would be through there. On my lap, I thought I hit Turn 1. Just couldn’t quite commit to throttle off both corners. I felt like I was right on the edge of grip, and didn’t want to have a slip and lose pace. Happy with it. I feel like we’re right there in the mix. Right where we need to be."

Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Christopher Bell, who was also in contention for the championship, qualified 14th. Bell’s performance in qualifying suggests a challenging afternoon ahead as he navigates through the field to contend for the title.

Rounding out the Championship 4, Kyle Larson, Hamlin’s closest rival in the standings and driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, will start third. Larson, the reigning champion, posted a lap just 0.023 seconds slower than Byron, indicating a closely contested battle at the front of the pack.

The front of the field saw a strong showing from Team Penske, with Austin Cindric qualifying fourth and Ryan Blaney fifth, both drivers seeking to end their seasons on a high note, though not in championship contention.

Notably absent from the front of the grid among the championship contenders was Chase Briscoe. The driver of the No. 14 Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing, who has been a strong qualifier throughout the season with the most poles, could only manage 12th place. This marks a significant deviation from his recent qualifying form, where he had secured five consecutive top-ten starting positions. Briscoe’s performance raises questions about his car’s setup for Sunday’s race, as he aims to overcome the deficit from the outset.

The qualifying session highlighted the competitive nature of the Championship 4. Hamlin’s pole position provides a psychological edge and optimal track position for the start of the 312-lap race on Sunday. However, the challenging nature of Phoenix Raceway, known for its tight corners and unforgiving track surface, means that strategy, tire management, and execution will be paramount.

Hamlin’s pursuit of his first Cup Series championship enters its final chapter with a strong opening statement. His career statistics include 54 wins and over 200 top-five finishes, underscoring his consistent performance over the years. Yet, the championship trophy has remained just out of reach, making this opportunity at Phoenix particularly significant.

The performance of Byron and Larson, both formidable competitors from powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports, indicates that Hamlin will face intense pressure throughout the race. Hendrick Motorsports, with its record-breaking number of championships, is a team that consistently delivers in critical moments.

The qualifying results set the stage for a compelling season finale. The strategic decisions made by crew chiefs, the ability of the drivers to adapt to changing track conditions, and the reliability of their equipment will all play a crucial role in determining the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series champion. As the green flag waves on Sunday, all eyes will be on Hamlin as he attempts to convert his pole position into the career-defining victory he has long strived for.

Key Championship 4 Qualifying Results: