Denny Hamlin Secures Phoenix Pole Position for NASCAR Cup Championship Showdown

PHOENIX, AZ – November 1, 2025 – Denny Hamlin has claimed the coveted pole position for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway, positioning himself for a strong bid at his first career Cup Series title. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver clocked a blistering lap of 28.914 seconds in Saturday’s qualifying session, marking his fifth pole of the 2025 season and the 48th of his illustrious career.

Hamlin, a veteran of 20 seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series, expressed cautious optimism following his qualifying performance. "We’re trying," Hamlin stated with a smile, "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."

Looking ahead to the championship decider, Hamlin acknowledged the importance of his starting position. "We’re obviously going to be in a great starting spot there. 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 44-year-old driver, who has been a consistent contender throughout his career, has 55 Cup Series victories but has yet to secure the ultimate prize in NASCAR. His strong qualifying run sets the stage for a critical battle against three other championship hopefuls.

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His closest competitor in qualifying was fellow Championship 4 contender William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports. Byron will start second on the grid, missing out on the pole by a margin of just 0.042 seconds. Byron’s qualifying lap highlighted the tight competition expected in Sunday’s race.

"It’s always chaotic," Byron commented on 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."

The third contender, Kyle Larson, also driving for Hendrick Motorsports, secured the third starting spot, qualifying just 0.023 seconds behind Byron. Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, will be looking to leverage his experience and the strength of his team to contend for his second title.

The Team Penske duo of Austin Cindric and Ryan Blaney rounded out the top five, starting fourth and fifth respectively. Cindric, the 2022 Daytona 500 winner, and Blaney, the 2023 Coca-Cola 600 victor, represent formidable threats from the Ford camp.

Notably absent from the front of the grid among the Championship 4 contenders was Chase Briscoe. The Stewart-Haas Racing driver, who has led the series in pole positions this season with six, will start 12th, more than two-tenths of a second behind his teammate Hamlin. Briscoe had previously demonstrated consistent qualifying prowess, with five consecutive top-ten starting positions leading into this weekend’s crucial event. His performance in qualifying marks a slight deviation from his recent trend, adding an intriguing dynamic to his championship aspirations.

The Championship 4 field represents a diverse mix of talent and team strengths. Hamlin, representing Joe Gibbs Racing and the Toyota camp, has been a consistent threat for years, known for his strategic prowess and late-race speed. Byron, leading the charge for Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet, has emerged as a strong contender this season, showcasing impressive consistency. Larson, another Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet driver, brings championship pedigree and a proven ability to perform under pressure. Blaney, representing Team Penske and Ford, has also had a strong season and is looking to cap it off with a championship.

The qualifying session at Phoenix Raceway, a 1-mile oval known for its unique desert setting and challenging turns, often provides a strong indicator of race-day performance. The track has undergone significant repaving in recent years, leading to faster speeds and different handling characteristics compared to its earlier iterations. The intimate 40,000-seat venue is expected to be sold out for Sunday’s finale, with fans eager to witness the culmination of the NASCAR season.

The championship race will feature a full field of 36 cars, with the four Championship 4 drivers battling not only each other but also the inherent challenges of the Phoenix circuit. Tire wear, track position, and pit stop strategy are expected to play critical roles in determining the outcome. The transition to the shorter, more compact racing package has intensified the competition throughout the season, and this trend is anticipated to continue in the championship race.

Hamlin’s pole position is a significant achievement, offering him a prime starting spot for the 312-lap race. His 2025 season has been marked by consistent performance, including wins at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. His team, Joe Gibbs Racing, has a strong track record at Phoenix, having secured multiple victories at the track in recent years.

Byron’s second-place qualifying effort underscores the strength of the Hendrick Motorsports organization, which has been a dominant force in NASCAR for decades. Byron’s season has been highlighted by victories at the Daytona 500 and at Martinsville Speedway, demonstrating his versatility across different track types.

Larson’s third-place start continues his impressive run of form. The Elk Grove, California native has been a force in NASCAR since his Cup Series debut, known for his aggressive driving style and ability to adapt to changing track conditions. His 2021 championship season was a testament to his skill and the capabilities of his team.

The Championship 4 race is the culmination of an intense playoff system designed to crown a single, undisputed champion. Unlike traditional season-long points battles, the playoff format rewards consistent performance throughout the season and clutch victories in the postseason. The four drivers who advance to the final race have proven their mettle through a series of elimination rounds, making Sunday’s event a true test of skill, strategy, and endurance.

As the teams prepare for Sunday’s main event, the focus will shift to race-day adjustments and execution. The history of the Phoenix Championship race has seen many dramatic finishes, with drivers battling not only for the win but for the ultimate prize in NASCAR. Hamlin’s pole position provides him with a significant advantage, but with three other elite drivers vying for the same goal, the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the season.