Phoenix Set to Crown 2025 NASCAR Champions as Championship Weekend Revs Up

Phoenix Raceway is poised to host the dramatic conclusion to the 2025 NASCAR season, where 12 elite drivers will battle for supremacy across the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Truck Series. This weekend marks the final chapter of Phoenix’s tenure as the championship venue, with the coveted title deciders shifting to Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2026. The intense competition promises a spectacle of speed, strategy, and unwavering determination as champions are forged and legacies are cemented.

In the premier NASCAR Cup Series, the championship fight is set to be a fierce confrontation between two of the sport’s most formidable organizations: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) and Hendrick Motorsports. JGR will be represented by veteran Denny Hamlin, a perennial contender with a history of clutch performances, and Chase Briscoe, who has steadily emerged as a significant threat. They face an equally formidable challenge from Hendrick Motorsports, boasting two of their most successful drivers: Kyle Larson, the 2021 Cup Series champion known for his aggressive style and versatility, and William Byron, who has demonstrated consistent speed and maturity throughout the season. The strategic prowess of team owners Joe Gibbs and Rick Hendrick, coupled with the talent of their drivers, sets the stage for a high-stakes duel.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series championship narrative centers around Justin Allgaier’s quest to defend his 2024 crown. Allgaier, a consistent front-runner with Richard Childress Racing (RCR), faces internal competition from his RCR teammates Connor Zilisch and Carson Kvapil, both of whom have shown flashes of brilliance. Adding another layer of complexity to the Xfinity battle is Jesse Love, also representing RCR, who has proven to be a formidable competitor throughout the season. The RCR stable’s depth of talent suggests an internal challenge alongside the external competition.

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series finale is highlighted by the historically dominant season of Corey Heim driving for TRICON Garage. Heim has orchestrated a season characterized by remarkable consistency and outright speed, making him the heavy favorite. However, the path to the championship is far from guaranteed. He must overcome Kaden Honeycutt of Halmar-Friesen Racing, a driver known for his tenacity, Tyler Ankrum of McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, who has demonstrated resilience, and the defending series champion, Ty Majeski of ThorSport Racing, a proven winner capable of delivering under pressure. Heim’s pursuit of a fitting capstone to his dominant season will be a key storyline.

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Beyond the on-track battles, fans will have access to a comprehensive broadcast schedule designed to capture every moment of the championship weekend. The action commences on Thursday, October 30th, with practice sessions. The NASCAR Truck Series will hold its practice at 7:35 pm EST, though broadcast details for this session are not yet available.

Friday, October 31st, marks the beginning of competitive sessions. The NASCAR Truck Series will hold its qualifying at 3:35 pm EST, broadcast on FOX SPORTS 2. This will be followed by NASCAR Xfinity Series practice at 4:35 pm EST on THE CW APP, and NASCAR Cup Series practice at 5:35 pm EST on TRUTV. The first of the weekend’s championship races, the NASCAR Truck Series race (150 laps), is scheduled for 7:30 pm EST and will be broadcast live on FOX SPORTS 1.

Saturday, November 1st, shifts the focus to qualifying and the Xfinity Series championship. NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying will take place at 3:30 pm EST on the CW APP, followed by NASCAR Cup Series qualifying at 5:00 pm EST on TRUTV. The climax of the Xfinity Series season will unfold with their championship race (200 laps) at 7:30 pm EST, broadcast live on THE CW.

Sunday, November 2nd, is reserved for the ultimate prize: the NASCAR Cup Series championship. The green flag for the 312-lap season finale at Phoenix Raceway is set to drop at 3:00 pm EST, with extensive coverage provided by NBC.

Adding another layer of in-depth analysis and post-race reaction, Motorsport.com and Yahoo Sports will present a special live broadcast of "Inside The Race" immediately following the Cup Series conclusion on Sunday, November 2nd. Hosted by Alex Weaver and Steve Letarte, the show will originate live from the frontstretch of Phoenix Raceway, offering immediate insights after the NASCAR on NBC broadcast. This unique program aims to capture the raw emotion and immediate aftermath of the championship crowning.

The "Inside The Race" broadcast will feature esteemed commentators Kyle Petty, Jeff Burton, and Mamba Smith, providing expert analysis of the weekend’s events. A significant highlight will be the inclusion of the newly crowned NASCAR Cup Series champion, who will join the broadcast shortly after receiving their hardware. The show will also extend an invitation to the race winner, recognizing the rare possibility of the race victor and the series champion not being the same individual, a scenario that last occurred with Ross Chastain in 2023. This contingency plan underscores the program’s commitment to comprehensive coverage.

Motorsport.com’s Senior NASCAR Editor, Matt Weaver, will also be on-site to contribute his seasoned perspective, breaking down the intricacies of the finale and engaging with the sport’s newest champion. "Inside The Race" will be streamed live on Motorsport.com and accessible via the platform’s official X (formerly Twitter) social media channels.

The full field for the Cup Series race comprises 39 teams, with two notable part-time entries adding to the competitive landscape. The Garage 66 Ford, driven by veteran Casey Mears, and the No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet piloted by J.J. Yeley, will also participate, contributing to the depth of the field.

Thursday, October 30th

7:35 pm EST — NASCAR Truck Series practice — N/A

Friday, October 31st

3:35 pm EST — NASCAR Truck Series qualifying — FOX SPORTS 2
4:35 pm EST — NASCAR Xfinity Series practice — THE CW APP
5:35 pm EST — NASCAR Cup Series practice — TRUTV
7:30 pm EST — NASCAR Truck Series race (150 laps) — FOX SPORTS 1

Saturday, November 1st

3:30 pm EST — NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying — CW APP
5:00 pm EST — NASCAR Cup Series qualifying — TRUTV
7:30 pm EST — NASCAR Xfinity Series race (200 laps) — THE CW

Sunday, November 2nd

3:00 pm EST — NASCAR Cup Series championship finale (312 laps) — NBC

As the checkered flag waves on Phoenix Raceway’s championship era, the anticipation builds for a weekend of intense racing that will etch new names into NASCAR’s storied history books. The strategic battles, the raw talent on display, and the emotional culmination of a grueling season promise a memorable conclusion to the 2025 NASCAR campaign.