The 2025 Shriners Children’s 500 in-depth highlights capture a race filled with intense battles, dramatic crashes, and a historic finish. Joey Logano and William Byron fought hard at the front, but an early penalty changed the race’s momentum. A multi-car wreck on Lap 99 reshaped the field, leaving several contenders out of the fight. In the final laps, Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Larson battled for control. One driver emerged victorious, making NASCAR history with a stunning achievement.
Early Battles Set the Tone
As the green flag dropped, Joey Logano and William Byron fought fiercely for the lead. Both drivers used side-drafting and the high groove to gain an advantage, with Byron using aerodynamics to pull Logano back toward him. The aggressive racing extended throughout the field, with several drivers choosing the shortcut across the dogleg to gain positions.
The first caution of the race came early when Cole Custer lost control, making contact with Todd Gilliland, who then hit Ricky Stenhouse Jr.. Stenhouse spun but avoided significant damage. The race continued under green until the first round of pit stops, where teams adjusted their strategies for the long runs ahead.
Restart Controversy and Stage 1 Winner
On a restart, Joey Logano was penalized for crossing the yellow line too soon before the start/finish line. NASCAR quickly reviewed the infraction and forced Logano to drop back, shaking up the running order.
As the laps wound down in Stage 1, William Byron took control and secured the stage win. It marked Byron’s fourth career stage win at Phoenix, making it the track where he has been most dominant in stage racing.
Multi-Car Wreck at Lap 99
The race’s intensity ramped up during Stage 2, leading to a major wreck on Lap 99. The accident began when Justin Haley and Chase Briscoe got squeezed into each other. The contact triggered a multi-car pileup involving Carson Hocevar and others. The impact launched Haley’s car briefly into the air, and Briscoe’s car sustained heavy damage.
NASCAR quickly threw the caution flag as crews worked to clear the track. Meanwhile, Christopher Bell capitalized on the chaos, maintaining his lead and showing strong long-run speed. He went on to win Stage 2, proving he had a car capable of competing for the victory.
Katherine Legge’s Tough Debut and Bubba Wallace’s Crash
Making her NASCAR Cup Series debut, Katherine Legge struggled to keep her car stable on the Phoenix surface. She spun twice during the race, with her second spin collecting Daniel Suarez, ruining what had been a promising day for the Trackhouse Racing driver.
Later, Bubba Wallace suffered a right-front tire failure, slamming into the wall and scattering debris across the track. The impact forced NASCAR to throw another caution, adding to the growing list of race stoppages. Wallace’s day ended early as he limped his car back to pit road.
The Final Showdown: Christopher Bell vs. Denny Hamlin vs. Kyle Larson
With the final laps winding down, the battle for the win came down to Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Larson. The three drivers fought hard for position, going three-wide in a tense showdown.
As they entered the final lap, Hamlin held strong on the outside, while Bell edged ahead through Turn 3. Larson made a move on the high line but couldn’t get enough momentum to pass. Bell maintained control and took the checkered flag, holding off both challengers in a thrilling finish.
Christopher Bell’s Historic Victory
With his win, Christopher Bell made history as the first driver in the Next Gen era to claim three consecutive victories. Additionally, he became the first driver since Kevin Harvick in 2018 to win three of the first four races in a season.
Bell’s dominant performance solidified his position as a top contender in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship battle. With momentum on his side, the focus now shifts to the next race, where the competition will look to end his winning streak.
News in Brief: 2025 Shriners Children’s 500 In-Depth Highlights
The 2025 Shriners Children’s 500 delivered intense battles, costly mistakes, and a historic victory. Joey Logano‘s penalty changed the early race dynamics, while William Byron secured Stage 1. A massive crash on Lap 99 took out multiple drivers, and Christopher Bell dominated Stage 2. Katherine Legge struggled in her debut, and Bubba Wallace’s tire failure ended his day early. In a thrilling finish, Christopher Bell held off Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson to secure his third straight win.
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