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Phoenix, AZ – Kyle Larson clinched his second NASCAR Cup Series championship in a dramatic overtime finish at Phoenix Raceway, a victory that underscored his remarkable ability to capitalize on opportunity. The Hendrick Motorsports driver secured the title without leading a single lap in Sunday’s season finale, a testament to his consistent performance throughout the year and strategic execution in the crucial moments. Meanwhile, Denny Hamlin, after dominating much of the race, was left to confront the most painful loss of his career, his championship hopes undone by a critical tire strategy call.
The season-ending Ford EcoBoost 400 delivered a rollercoaster of emotions for fans, culminating in a tense overtime period that saw the championship landscape shift dramatically. Larson’s triumph marks his second Cup Series crown, adding to his 2021 championship. His season, while not marked by the same win volume as previous years, culminating in his last victory in May, demonstrated a sustained level of competitiveness that saw him contend for the title. The narrative surrounding Larson this season had often focused on his performance post-Indy 500/Coke 600 double, with speculation about whether he had regained his peak form. Sunday’s victory unequivocally answered those questions.
For Denny Hamlin, the outcome was a brutal anticlimax. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver had controlled the race for significant portions, leading over 200 laps from the pole position and appearing poised to finally capture his elusive Cup Series championship after two decades of trying. However, a strategic gamble by his team to prioritize four fresh tires over track position for the final restart proved to be a miscalculation. Hamlin could only advance from tenth to sixth, failing to bridge the gap to the leaders, including Larson, who restarted ahead of him. The emotional fallout was palpable in the No. 11 pit stall, with team members visibly distraught, highlighting the crushing weight of another near-miss for one of NASCAR’s most polarizing figures.
Ryan Blaney, the 2023 Cup Series champion, added a victory to his resume by winning the race with a last-lap pass, but did not factor into the championship battle. Blaney, who secured his title two years prior without winning the final race, was able to play the role of spoiler this time around. He expressed no "bittersweet" feelings about his race win, focusing instead on the satisfaction of his fourth checkered flag of the season and a strong finish to his own campaign.
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The race’s complexion was significantly altered by a late-race caution when William Byron, a contender throughout the day, experienced a blown tire. Byron, who had been running strong and was faster than Larson for much of the race, expressed remorse for the incident that forced overtime and impacted Hamlin’s race. The blown tire not only derailed Byron’s own strong run, dropping him from second to fourth in the championship standings, but also had significant implications for the title fight. The strange feeling for Byron was understandable, as his mechanical misfortune directly influenced the championship outcome, even though his team ultimately celebrated another title.
Larson’s crew chief, Cliff Daniels, earned accolades for his decisive pit strategy during the overtime period. While the Joe Gibbs Racing cars opted for four fresh tires, Daniels made the call for fresh right-side tires on the No. 5 car. This strategic move, executed efficiently in back-to-back pit stops, allowed Larson to maintain track position and ultimately contend for the win, ultimately securing the championship.
The race also saw a near-victory for RFK Racing’s Brad Keselowski, who gambled by staying out on older tires. Keselowski put up a strong defense, even receiving a push from Larson on the final lap, but ultimately lost the lead in the final corner to Blaney. This near-miss extended RFK Racing’s winless streak for their drivers in the 2025 season, despite strong performances from their stable.
In a season that was largely a struggle for Kyle Busch, the two-time series champion managed to end the year on a relatively positive note. The Richard Childress Racing driver secured his only oval top-five finish of the season in Phoenix, a two-tire call that saw him hold on for a respectable result. This season marked Busch’s worst statistical performance in his career, ending 21st in the standings, and he will look to a new crew chief and a fresh start in 2026.
The race’s dramatic conclusion also reignited discussions about the current playoff format. While the format undoubtedly generates excitement and controversy, it also leaves a segment of the fanbase disillusioned. Larson’s championship, achieved without leading a lap in the finale and with his last win coming early in the season, highlights the format’s tendency to create narratives of "who was robbed" rather than simply celebrating the most consistent driver over the entire season. The debate over the optimal championship structure is likely to continue.
Beyond the Cup Series, the weekend also featured standout performances in other divisions. In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Corey Heim capped off a dominant 2025 season with a thrilling overtime victory. Heim, who had been statistically superior to his rivals, making unprecedented records, secured the championship with a remarkable seven-wide pass on a late restart. The only blemish on his weekend was the uncertainty surrounding his full-time ride for the upcoming season, despite his undeniable talent.
Conversely, the NASCAR Xfinity Series saw a heartbreaking finish for rookie Connor Zilisch. The 19-year-old, who had ten wins on the season, was unable to hold off his best friend Jesse Love and Aric Almirola in the closing laps. Zilisch’s defeat not only cost him the driver’s championship but also denied JR Motorsports the owner’s championship, leaving him visibly emotional on pit road.
The season finale at Phoenix Raceway provided a fittingly emotional and dramatic conclusion to the NASCAR Cup Series season, with Kyle Larson emerging as the ultimate champion amidst a backdrop of high stakes, strategic gambles, and the ever-present unpredictability of motorsports. The performance of both the winners and losers on this pivotal day will undoubtedly shape narratives and expectations heading into the next season.
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