Denny Hamlin NASCAR championship qualification was sealed Sunday as Hamlin became the first driver to lock in a place for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Four. His victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway guarantees him a shot at the title in Phoenix, reshaping the playoff landscape with just two races left in the Round of Eight.
Hamlin Secures a Milestone Victory and Title Shot
At 45 years old, Denny Hamlin not only celebrated his 60th career win but also positioned himself as a strong favorite for the season’s ultimate trophy—a prize that has eluded him in his lengthy career. His decisive performance at Las Vegas capped off a race where he passed both Kyle Larson and Chase Briscoe in the final laps, a move that shifted expectations for the championship battle headed toward Phoenix.
This win allows Hamlin and his team to redirect their focus toward the championship in the coming weeks, unconcerned about the points battles or unpredictable outcomes at Talladega or Martinsville. For many observers, Hamlin’s resilience and timing in Las Vegas could signal that this year may finally be his to claim a long-sought NASCAR Cup Series title.
Implications for the Remaining Contenders
While Hamlin is assured his Championship Four position, the other seven playoff drivers now face intensified pressure. In the next two weeks, only three more spots remain for the Phoenix showdown. Multiple drivers, including championship veterans and former race winners, find themselves needing impressive performances—or outright victories—at Talladega and Martinsville to continue their championship campaigns.
The upcoming races will test their resilience, skill, and ability to handle playoff intensity. As the margin for error narrows, each competitor’s outlook is shaped by Vegas outcomes, persistent points deficits, and prevailing momentum.
Ranking the Round of Eight After Las Vegas
The Las Vegas event dramatically altered the postseason picture, and the following updated power rankings reflect current form, critical incidents, and each driver’s prospects going forward:
8. Joey Logano: Defending Champion Faces Steep Challenge
Joey Logano entered the Round of Eight requiring substantial results to keep his title defense rolling. Despite his reputation for clutch performances, such as his surprising Las Vegas victory last year, Logano spent much of this year’s race outside serious contention and finished sixth.
Now, he sits 24 points below the cutoff for the Championship Four. Although his past success at venues like Talladega and Martinsville offers hope, his No. 22 team has not displayed the consistent speed needed this year. If Logano hopes to return to Phoenix for a title shot, he’ll need to overcome both recent form and the sizable points gap in the final two races.
7. Chase Elliott: Setback After Early Promise
Chase Elliott appeared to be on course for a potential race win at Las Vegas during the race’s opening stages. However, a critical penalty during a green-flag pit stop—a lost tire—cost him a lap and derailed his chances. Despite efforts to rally, Elliott managed only an 18th-place finish.
He remains 23 points adrift of the cut line. Elliott’s previous strong performances at Talladega and Martinsville could play in his favor, but speed has rarely been on his side throughout this campaign. As time runs out, Elliott’s margin for error is gone, and he’ll need near-flawless results to reach Phoenix.
6. Ryan Blaney: From Pre-Round Favorite to Uncertain Position
Ryan Blaney came into Las Vegas leading the power rankings and carrying significant momentum. However, an early tire blowout resulted in a 38th-place, last-overall finish—his third consecutive poor result at Las Vegas.
Blaney now faces a 31-point deficit, making his path to Phoenix especially daunting. On the brighter side, his prior victories at both Talladega and Martinsville show he’s more than capable of making a comeback, but he is likely in a must-win situation to salvage his title hopes.
5. William Byron: High Hopes Dashed By Late Incident
William Byron spent much of the Las Vegas race among the frontrunners, even holding the lead with about 50 laps to go. Unfortunately, a sequence of mistakes cost him. After losing the lead to Kyle Larson, Byron collided with Ty Dillon in a severe accident, quickly ending his promising run.
Byron wound up 36th, a blow to his playoff aspirations. With both Talladega and Martinsville ahead, he sits 15 points behind the cutoff. Byron’s consistent top-five potential suggests a turnaround is possible, but he must capitalize on every remaining opportunity.
4. Christopher Bell: Consistent but Yet to Break Through
Christopher Bell delivered a solid weekend in Las Vegas, starting third and running consistently inside the top 10. While he collected valuable stage points and finished third overall, he did not lead a lap and often trailed his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates in terms of outright speed.
Bell now enjoys a 20-point cushion above the cut line, giving him more breathing room than most. If he maintains this consistency at Talladega and Martinsville, Bell is well-positioned to join Hamlin in the Championship Four at Phoenix.
3. Chase Briscoe: Strong Day Yields Major Points Gain
Chase Briscoe rebounded from a challenging start to the playoffs, qualifying second at Las Vegas and maintaining a competitive pace throughout. After scoring top-five finishes in both early stages and ultimately placing fourth, Briscoe improved his standing from 14 points below the cutoff to 15 points above after just one race.
While Briscoe can’t afford complacency, his turnaround has set up a realistic path to the Championship Four, provided he continues delivering solid performances in the final two events of the round.
2. Kyle Larson: Dominance Without the Win
Kyle Larson continued his strong playoff form in Las Vegas, finishing second in both the opening stage and the overall race. He led a race-high 129 laps and claimed stage two, only to be overtaken late by Hamlin.
Though he hasn’t celebrated a win in more than five months, Larson’s 35-point advantage above the cut line positions him well for qualification. Still, one poor result at Talladega could upend even this advantage, given the volatile nature of superspeedway racing.
1. Denny Hamlin: Playoff Favorite With Momentum
Despite starting from pole, Hamlin did not have the outright fastest car for much of the Las Vegas race. However, his timing and execution in the closing stages set him apart, as he overtook both Kyle Larson and Chase Briscoe in the final 10 laps to secure victory.
With the win, Denny Hamlin not only clinched his Championship Four spot but also shifted the narrative, dispelling doubts that his championship bid was bound to falter. He now approaches Phoenix as the favorite, bolstered by momentum and renewed belief.
Looking Ahead: The Path to Phoenix Narrows
As Denny Hamlin enjoys a rare break from points pressure, the rest of the Round of Eight faces high stakes at Talladega and Martinsville. Each driver’s fate will be determined by both raw performance and the inherent unpredictability of these next tracks.
The outcomes at these venues will finalize the lineup for the Championship Four at Phoenix, with only three available tickets left. For contenders like Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, and Kyle Larson, every lap and strategic call will be crucial as the race for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series title reaches its climax.
