At Phoenix Raceway ahead of the championship showdown, iconic racer Richard Petty offered his candid view on the unpredictable nature of the 2025 NASCAR season’s title outcome, emphasizing with his Richard Petty championship prediction that there is no clear favorite among the four finalists. The contenders, Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, Kyle Larson, and William Byron, have each demonstrated unique strengths and faced their own hurdles throughout the year.
A Season Marked by Shifting Momentum Among Finalists
The stage is set for a tight championship fight featuring Hamlin, Briscoe, Larson, and Byron. Each of these drivers carved a distinctive path to reach the season finale, underscoring the unpredictable nature of who might secure the title. Denny Hamlin started with a major adjustment—a switch to a new crew chief—yet quickly found his rhythm, capturing four wins during the regular season. His teammate, Chase Briscoe, slowly gained traction but steadily built momentum, claiming several pole positions and celebrating three race victories so far.
William Byron began the season strong, clinching the prestigious Daytona 500 before experiencing ups and downs in subsequent races. Although he was unable to leverage some promising runs into victories, his Martinsville triumph propelled him back into the championship discussion. Meanwhile, Kyle Larson, also from Hendrick Motorsports, enters the final four due to a consistent advantage in points, further adding to the complexity of the title chase.
Richard Petty Shares an Unfiltered Perspective on the Title Race
Reflecting on the chances of each championship contender, Richard Petty offered a humorous yet realistic take on what to expect as the race draws near:
“Well, you got a 25 percent chance of picking right one,okay? Because there’s four of them. Right now, it’s a toss up and there’s no way to predict it or anything. It’ll wind up being the guy that wins is one thats supposed to,” he said.
This frank assessment from the Hall of Famer captures both the intensity and uncertainty that have characterized the 2025 season. With each finalist having battled through challenges, Petty’s analysis suggests that predicting a champion is virtually impossible, with every competitor equally likely to emerge victorious in Phoenix.
Following the dramatic events at Martinsville, fellow driver Christopher Bell remarked after his post-race interview that NASCAR’s playoff system has produced a deserving batch of competitors in this year’s final showdown.
Petty Evaluates the Impact of Modern Playoff Formats on Career Achievement
Addressing a fan question during a recent episode of his race review show, Richard Petty discussed whether the current playoff system would have influenced the number of championships he accumulated during his illustrious Cup Series career. In his characteristically straightforward style, Petty responded:
“It probably would have. I’ve never looked back and I’ve never talked to anybody about, you know, whether I would’ve won another championship or lost a couple,” he said via X/therichardpetty.
“I was looking the other day on the deal, and if the championships had been counted like what they were with me, then Jeff Gordon would have won seven championships and Jimmy Johnson would have won four. They would have just swapped it back. So again, that kind of, to me that kind of shows that the championship should be a year-long thing, not just one or two race deal,” he added.
Petty’s comments highlight an ongoing debate regarding NASCAR’s playoff structure, referencing how it dramatically alters a driver’s legacy compared to the older season-long points system. He cites Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson as examples, noting that their championship tallies would look quite different under traditional rules—a point that resonates with many longtime fans and competitors.
Debate Persists Over the Future of the Championship System
Speculation continues to swirl within NASCAR circles about moving away from the current winner-takes-all, single-race championship decider. Reports indicate that the organization is considering a transition to a multi-race championship contest, possibly spanning three or four events to provide a broader competitive test. Denny Hamlin has recently supported this change, and respected voices such as Mark Martin have echoed Richard Petty’s sentiment for a full-season points structure, arguing it better rewards sustained excellence.
This playoff debate is not unique to NASCAR. Other motorsports, including Formula 1, also rely on cumulative season-long points to crown their champions. The evolving championship format remains a pivotal topic for NASCAR’s future, with stakeholders striving to balance drama, fairness, and tradition.
The 2025 NASCAR title race, influenced by both the unpredictability of its playoff system and the prowess of drivers like William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, and Kyle Larson, underscores the complexity of determining a true season-long champion. Richard Petty’s perspectives, paired with ongoing discourse among figures such as Mark Martin and Denny Hamlin, signal that potential changes could soon redefine how future champions are crowned.
NASCAR, its fans, and the key drivers now wait to see not only who will prevail at Phoenix Raceway but whether the championship format itself is set for a significant shift in the seasons ahead.
FAN QUESTION: Who's your pick to win the championship next weekend??
Via Facebook user, Auron Bennett.
Full Race Recap and more answers to fan questions tomorrow at 8am on the Petty Family Racing YouTube channel. pic.twitter.com/MNuQf13tHg
— Richard Petty (@therichardpetty) October 27, 2025
