NASCAR Cup Race at Phoenix Complete Results: Where Did Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, and Christopher Bell Finish?

Christopher Bell Secures Third Straight Victory in 2025 NASCAR Cup Season

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series is off to an electrifying start, and Christopher Bell has taken control of the field with his third straight victory. His latest triumph came at Phoenix Raceway, where he edged out Denny Hamlin in a dramatic finish at the Shriners Children’s 500. Bell’s dominance early in the season has made him the driver to beat, setting the tone for what could be a historic championship run.

This win makes Bell the first driver in the Next Gen era to win three consecutive races. He now joins an elite list of drivers who have achieved such a feat, with the last being Kyle Larson in 2021. Bell’s victory also marks his second straight win at Phoenix in the March race, proving his strength at the one-mile oval.

Intense Battle at Phoenix Raceway Ends in Photo Finish

The race at Phoenix was anything but predictable. With 17 lead changes among six different drivers, the competition was fierce from start to finish. Bell, Hamlin, and Larson were the key players in the closing laps, with Bell managing to hold off his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate by just 0.049 seconds—one of the closest finishes in the track’s history.

THREE WINS IN A ROW FOR CHRISTOPHER BELL! What a finish. pic.twitter.com/4io4UIO91s

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 9, 2025

The final restart with just two laps to go set up a thrilling dash to the checkered flag. Bell had to navigate intense pressure from Hamlin and Larson, who both looked poised to snatch the victory. Hamlin, who had the strongest challenge, credited Larson for giving him a push that nearly put him in position to win.

“I had kind of position on the 20,” Hamlin said. “I knew he was going to ship it in there. Obviously, we just kind of ran out of racetrack there. Great finish. Great job by the whole Joe Gibbs team to give us some fast cars.”

Breaking Records: Christopher Bell Becomes First to Win Three Consecutive Next Gen Races

Bell’s win at Phoenix solidified his place in the record books as the first driver in the Next Gen era (which debuted in 2022) to secure three consecutive wins. His hot streak began with a win at Atlanta, followed by a road course victory at Circuit of the Americas.

Additionally, Bell is the first driver since Kevin Harvick in 2018 to win three of the first four races in a season. The only blemish on his record this year came at the Daytona 500, where he was caught in a late-race crash and finished 31st. Despite that setback, Bell has rebounded in dominant fashion, quickly establishing himself as the early-season championship favorite.

Denny Hamlin Falls Short as Joe Gibbs Racing Dominates

Denny Hamlin came agonizingly close to victory, but ultimately, he had to settle for a runner-up finish behind his teammate. The veteran driver had a strong car all day, running up front and battling Bell in the closing stages.

Despite falling short, Hamlin’s performance showcased the strength of Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). The organization finished 1-2, asserting itself as the team to beat in the early part of the 2025 season. Hamlin remains a serious championship contender and will look to bounce back next week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Kyle Larson Leads Hendrick Motorsports with Strong Third-Place Finish

While Joe Gibbs Racing dominated the race, Kyle Larson carried the banner for Hendrick Motorsports with a third-place finish. Larson had a competitive car throughout the day and was a factor in the closing laps, helping push Hamlin on the final restart.

Larson has been consistently near the front this season, but he has yet to secure a win. However, his solid performances indicate that a victory could be coming soon. He was the last driver to win three straight races in 2021, and he knows what it takes to go on a hot streak.

Josh Berry and Chris Buescher Round Out the Top Five

Josh Berry and Chris Buescher both turned in impressive performances, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively. Berry, driving for Wood Brothers Racing, continues to prove that he belongs at the Cup Series level, while Buescher’s RFK Racing team has shown steady improvement.

Both drivers have been quietly consistent this season, and their strong finishes at Phoenix suggest they could be dark horse contenders moving forward.

William Byron’s Pole Position and Stage Win Not Enough for Victory

William Byron started the race on pole and won the opening stage, but he ultimately had to settle for a sixth-place finish. While he led multiple laps early on, his car struggled to keep pace with the JGR Toyotas in the final segment of the race.

Byron, who won the Daytona 500, still holds a solid position in the points standings. He will look to bounce back at Las Vegas, a track where Hendrick Motorsports has traditionally performed well.

Katherine Legge’s Debut Ends in Disappointment After Late-Race Wreck

The 2025 Shriners Children’s 500 also featured the NASCAR Cup Series debut of Katherine Legge. The British driver, known for her experience in IndyCar and sports car racing, was making her first start in the premier stock car series.

Unfortunately, her race ended prematurely when she was caught up in a wreck on Lap 216 of 312. Legge finished 30th in the 37-car field, a disappointing result in her highly anticipated debut. It remains to be seen if she will get another opportunity in the Cup Series later this season.

10 Caution Flags and 17 Lead Changes Define the Action-Packed Race

The race at Phoenix was filled with action, featuring 10 caution flags and multiple incidents that shook up the running order. The track’s short, one-mile layout always produces intense battles, and this year’s race was no exception.

Cup race results from Phoenix: pic.twitter.com/vOc1YbD8rO

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 9, 2025

With 17 lead changes among six different drivers, the competition was fierce throughout the event. Despite multiple contenders making their case for victory, it was Christopher Bell who emerged on top in one of the most exciting finishes in recent memory.

Full Race Results: How Every Driver Finished at Phoenix Raceway

The series now shifts to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the fifth race of the season on March 16, 2025. With Bell’s dominance continuing, the question remains: can anyone stop him?

News In Brief: NASCAR Cup Race at Phoenix Complete Results

Christopher Bell claimed victory at Phoenix Raceway, edging out Denny Hamlin in a thrilling finish. Kyle Larson secured third, while Josh Berry and Chris Buescher completed the top five. William Byron won the pole and a stage but finished sixth. Katherine Legge’s debut ended in a crash, placing 30th. The race featured 10 cautions and 17 lead changes, keeping the competition fierce.

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