Denny Hamlin Claims Phoenix Pole Position for NASCAR Cup Championship Showdown

PHOENIX, Ariz. – November 1, 2025 – Denny Hamlin has seized the prime starting position for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway, securing the Busch Light Pole Award with a blistering lap that signals his intent to capture his long-awaited first Cup Series title. Hamlin, a veteran driver with a career spanning two decades, posted a qualifying time of 28.914 seconds, marking his fifth pole of the 2025 season and the 48th of his illustrious career.

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver expressed cautious optimism following his pole-winning run. "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."

Hamlin acknowledged the significance of his starting spot for the title-deciding event. "We’re obviously going to be in a great starting spot there," he added. "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."

His primary championship rival, William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports, qualified second, just 0.042 seconds behind Hamlin’s mark. Byron, who has had a strong season with multiple victories, acknowledged the challenging nature of the qualifying session at the one-mile oval.

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"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."

Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing team, a perennial contender in NASCAR’s top series, has been a dominant force throughout the season. Hamlin himself has been a consistent threat, though a Cup Series championship has eluded him despite numerous wins and playoff appearances. This pole position provides a crucial strategic advantage as he aims to finally hoist the Bill France Cup.

Joining Byron at the front of the field will be fellow Championship 4 contender Kyle Larson, also from Hendrick Motorsports. Larson secured the third starting position, a mere 0.023 seconds behind Byron. The Hendrick Motorsports team has demonstrated significant strength this season, with both Byron and Larson being strong contenders for the title.

The front of the grid also features strong showings from Team Penske, with Austin Cindric qualifying fourth and Ryan Blaney fifth, further highlighting the competitive landscape of the Championship 4. Cindric, the reigning Rookie of the Year, continues to impress in his sophomore season, while Blaney, a previous race winner at Phoenix, will be looking to leverage his experience.

Rounding out the top ten qualifiers were Carson Hocevar, Josh Berry, Alex Bowman, Chris Buescher, and Joey Logano. These drivers, while not in contention for the championship, will play significant roles in the race as they jockey for position and aim to close out their seasons on a high note.

Notably absent from the top starting positions among the Championship 4 contenders is Chase Briscoe, also of Joe Gibbs Racing. Briscoe, who has enjoyed a standout qualifying season, securing more poles than any other driver this year, will start 12th, over two tenths off his teammate Hamlin’s pace. Briscoe had previously strung together five consecutive top-ten qualifying efforts, making his 12th-place starting position a notable deviation from his recent trend. His performance in Sunday’s race will be closely watched, especially given his strong qualifying record.

The qualifying session underscored the intense competition expected in Sunday’s title race. Hamlin’s pole position is a testament to his team’s preparation and execution, but the close proximity of his rivals, particularly Byron and Larson, suggests a fiercely contested battle for the championship. The Phoenix Raceway, known for its demanding turns and strategic passing zones, will undoubtedly test the mettle of all four championship contenders. The long-standing quest for a championship for Denny Hamlin now hinges on his ability to translate this qualifying success into a race-winning performance.