In a lighthearted yet notable moment at the Phoenix Zoo, Raja the Sumatran tiger has made a William Byron NASCAR championship prediction, identifying Byron as the anticipated winner of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway this Sunday. This whimsical forecast adds an extra layer of excitement as fans and drivers, including Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Larson, gear up for the final, highly competitive showdown.
Raja the Tiger’s Championship Forecast Wows Fans
On Tuesday, during a cheerful ceremony at the Phoenix Zoo, Raja—a seven-year-old Sumatran tiger much loved by staff and visitors—selected William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, as his pick to capture the coveted title. The playful tradition, while entertaining, adds a unique twist to NASCAR’s championship week atmosphere and gets the crowd further energized for Sunday’s event at Phoenix Raceway, where anticipation continues to build.
While Raja’s predictions are not always correct—he previously picked Byron to win in 2024, only for the driver to finish third behind Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney—his popularity endures. Raja weighs in at about 300 pounds and is part of a critically endangered subspecies, with fewer than 600 Sumatran tigers remaining in the wild, largely due to habitat loss, poaching, and conflict with humans. Zoo staff are committed to keeping Raja updated with results from Phoenix Raceway and rewarding him with treats, regardless of the outcome.
Preview of NASCAR Cup Series Finale at Phoenix Raceway
Sunday’s race at Phoenix Raceway is the culmination of a season-long battle in the NASCAR Cup Series, where William Byron, Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Larson are the remaining contenders. The driver among these four who finishes ahead of the others will secure the Bill France Cup, signifying their status as the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. Racing fans will witness the drama unfold live, with the green flag set to drop at 3 P.M. ET on NBC and Peacock.
The weekend is packed with motorsports action, starting Friday with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Championship Race, followed by the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race and the ARCA Menards Series West’s Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100 on Saturday. On Sunday, before the race, country star Jordan Davis is scheduled to deliver a high-energy concert to fire up fans and set the stage for NASCAR’s season finale.
Ticket availability for the big weekend is rapidly dwindling, with the Phoenix Raceway urging fans to secure their spots for what is anticipated to be a memorable championship event filled with star-studded performances and intense competition. This convergence of top drivers and devoted spectators underlines why Phoenix Raceway remains a central hub for motorsports in the Southwest.
Spotlight on Phoenix Raceway and NASCAR’s Impact
Phoenix Raceway, which has hosted NASCAR Championship Weekend since 2020, stands as a key motorsports venue in the region, drawing fans from across the nation to its annual race weekends. The 2025 spring event, slated for March 7-9, will also feature the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, and ARCA Menards Series, reaffirming its role as a pillar in the motorsports community. The facility is not only known for its championship racing but also for hosting a variety of other events ranging from music concerts to charity gatherings and even driving schools throughout the year.
NASCAR itself, the leading sanctioning authority for stock car racing in the United States, continues to shape the landscape of the sport. Operating from its headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida, and with offices in multiple cities across North America, NASCAR oversees a packed calendar featuring over 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and across more than 30 U.S. states. It sanctions national, regional, and grassroots series, including the spotlighted NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, as well as maintaining properties and partnerships like the International Motor Sports Association and Motor Racing Network.
Fans can follow the championship race online and on social media platforms, including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and more, as excitement continues to mount ahead of the season’s epic finale.
What Raja’s Pick Means for Racing Fans and Conservation
Although Raja’s track record as a racing oracle is imperfect, his participation serves to engage fans and generate buzz ahead of NASCAR’s biggest race weekend. The William Byron NASCAR championship prediction from Raja not only personalizes the competition for spectators but also raises public awareness about the precarious status of wild Sumatran tigers and conservation efforts led by institutions like the Phoenix Zoo.
As the racing community and wildlife enthusiasts alike await Sunday’s outcome, the stage is set for a weekend that blends fierce competition, thrilling entertainment, and meaningful messages about both motorsports and endangered species protection. Should Byron clinch the title, Raja’s lovable prediction will become part of NASCAR lore; if not, the tradition will carry on, delighting fans for years to come as Phoenix continues to celebrate both its human and animal champions.
