Larson Clinches Second NASCAR Cup Series Championship in Dramatic Overtime Finish at Phoenix

Kyle Larson secured his second NASCAR Cup Series championship in a chaotic, overtime finish at Phoenix Raceway, snatching the title with a third-place run as Ryan Blaney claimed victory in a thrilling season finale. The dramatic conclusion saw Denny Hamlin, who had dominated significant portions of the race, fall back after a late pit stop, ultimately finishing sixth and ending the season as the championship runner-up.

The race, which determined the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series champion among the Championship 4 contenders – Larson, Hamlin, William Byron, and Chase Briscoe – was a testament to the unpredictable nature of motorsport. A critical four-tire call on the final pit stop for Hamlin allowed Larson, who opted for two tires, to gain the track position needed to advance through the field. Larson, driving the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, expressed his disbelief at securing the championship without leading a lap in the final race. "We did the best job we could," Larson stated after the race. "Honestly, I can’t believe it. Like, we didn’t lead a lap today. Somehow won the championship. I mean, really, I’m just speechless. I can’t believe it. We had an average car at best. We had the right front go down, lost a lap. Got saved by the caution. Did the wave-around. Was really bad that run. We took two tires. I was like, Oh, God, here we go. We’re going to go to the back now."

Larson’s victory marks his second Cup Series title, adding to his 2022 triumph. His resilience throughout the season, characterized by overcoming adversity, was on full display at Phoenix. Hendrick Motorsports, as a team, celebrated a dominant season, with Larson’s championship solidifying their performance. Crew chief Cliff Daniels was lauded by Larson for his leadership and strategic calls throughout the race and the season. "Cliff Daniels, everybody, his leadership, his complete leadership just showed that whole race. Keeping us all motivated. Always having a plan. All of that. That’s just the story of our season," Larson added.

The race began with Denny Hamlin asserting his dominance. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver led early, but William Byron remained a consistent challenger. Byron, also a Championship 4 contender, managed to take the lead from Hamlin late in Stage 1, ultimately winning the stage. Ryan Blaney, who had been eliminated from championship contention in the previous race at Martinsville, showcased strong long-run pace, finishing second in the opening stage. Larson was fifth, and Chase Briscoe tenth.

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Stage 2 saw Hamlin continue to lead, though he voiced concerns about a long clutch, an issue that had affected his team throughout the season. Blaney again performed well, winning the battle off pit road and maintaining a strong position. However, the stage was punctuated by several cautions, including a spin by John Hunter Nemechek and a flat tire for Chase Briscoe, which significantly hampered his championship aspirations. Briscoe, who had been running well, found himself further back in the field after the tire issue. The stage concluded with Hamlin taking the win, followed by Blaney and Byron. Larson finished fourth, and Briscoe had clawed his way back to seventh.

The complexion of the race shifted dramatically in Stage 3. Pit road struggles affected both Hamlin and Larson, with Hamlin dropping to eleventh and Larson to eighteenth after slow stops. Byron took the lead, but a series of incidents involving Championship 4 contenders set the stage for further drama. Both Larson and Briscoe suffered tire failures, causing them to fall a lap down. The ensuing cautions led to strategic decisions, with Larson and Briscoe opting for two-tire changes on their final pit stops, gambling for track position.

The final laps were a spectacle of close racing and unexpected turns. A multi-car incident involving Austin Cindric brought out a caution that set up a dramatic overtime restart. Byron, who had regained the lead, was positioned at the front, with Hamlin alongside him. However, on the restart, Hamlin surged ahead. In the midst of the battle for the lead, Byron experienced a cut tire and slammed the wall, ending his championship hopes.

With Byron out, the focus shifted to Hamlin and Larson. On the final overtime restart, Hamlin took the lead, but Larson, utilizing his two-tire advantage, made a bold move to the front. However, in the closing moments, Blaney, who had been running strong all race, executed a pass on Brad Keselowski in the final corner to take the checkered flag. Larson, by virtue of his third-place finish, secured enough points to win the championship, capitalizing on Hamlin’s inability to make up lost ground after his final pit stop. Hamlin finished sixth, securing second in the final standings. Chase Briscoe finished 18th, ending the season third in points, while Byron’s late-race issue relegated him to fourth.

Blaney’s victory was his first of the season and a significant achievement for Team Penske. He joined Ross Chastain as the only non-championship contenders to win the season finale under the current format. Blaney’s performance highlighted his potential and the strength of his team, even without championship contention in the final race.

The race was marked by numerous tire issues, affecting several drivers, including championship contenders. This recurring problem throughout the weekend led to discussions about tire management and manufacturer performance, though drivers generally asserted that Goodyear was not solely to blame. The chaotic nature of the race, with multiple cautions and lead changes, created a fittingly dramatic conclusion to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.