Dale Earnhardt Jr. has revealed his pick for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series champion, choosing William Byron over his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Kyle Larson. This decision comes as the 2025 Cup Series campaign heads toward its decisive final race, intensifying debate over which drivers are most likely to secure the top honor, especially for fans following the Kyle Larson NASCAR championship contender narrative.
William Byron Emerges as Favorite for Cup Series Title
William Byron, piloting the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro for Hendrick Motorsports, earned his slot in the coveted Championship 4 after clinching victory at the closing Round of 8 race at Martinsville Speedway. Byron’s consistent performance this season has set him apart in the eyes of Earnhardt Jr., despite fellow Hendrick driver Kyle Larson also advancing deep into the playoffs.
As the race for the championship winds down, Byron goes into the Phoenix finale boasting three wins, eleven top-five finishes, and sixteen top-ten placements out of thirty-five events. He has commanded a total of 1,278 laps, maintaining a steady average finish of 14. Yet, to Earnhardt Jr., statistics and momentum alone do not determine victory in the fierce environment of the Cup Series.
“The way Byron looked and the way looked his weekend, I think you gotta look at him as the favorite,”
The remaining two spots in the Championship 4 are held by Joe Gibbs Racing competitors Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe. Kyle Larson, despite his strong efforts, ultimately finished fifth and missed making the Championship 4.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Doubts the Power of Momentum
During his recent appearance on the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Earnhardt Jr.—a respected Hall of Famer and long-time NASCAR personality—addressed the belief in momentum as a deciding factor. He emphasized that what matters most is the team’s readiness at Phoenix, rather than any winning streak.
“You can believe in momentum all you want,” explained the NASCAR Hall of Famer. “Byron’s gotta unload a car at Phoenix, go into practice, and get out there and in the first five or ten laps, it’s either gonna be, ‘Man, this car’s amazing’, or ‘Boy, we got some work to do’. What’s momentum doing at that point? Is momentum gonna help you fix the car?”
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship will be decided at Phoenix Raceway on November 2. The finale will span 312 laps, with live television coverage provided by Peacock and radio broadcasts airing on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio from 3 p.m. Eastern Time.
Jim Pohlman Departs JR Motorsports, Drawing Reflection from Earnhardt Jr.
Recent developments off the track have also caught Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s attention. Longtime JR Motorsports team member Jim Pohlman, who recently secured the 2024 Xfinity Series championship alongside Justin Allgaier, will soon join Richard Childress Racing as Kyle Busch’s crew chief in 2026. Pohlman’s departure leaves a considerable gap at JRM, prompting Earnhardt Jr. to commend his contributions while acknowledging the challenges of replacing experienced personnel.
“It is hard to replace a guy like Jim,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said on his NASCAR podcast (19:52). “I told Jim I wanted him to stay, but I knew that he had this opportunity and that it was great for him to go and hear it out, right?”
“He’s worked at RCR before, so he knows that environment,” he continued. “He would know himself whether that’s a comfortable environment for him. He’s been there. And, uh, you know, he made the choice to go, and I love it. I think, you know, it’s tough to replace him.”
Pohlman’s history with Richard Childress Racing dates back to 2022, coinciding with the launch of NASCAR’s innovative NextGen car. The following season, he guided Allgaier to his inaugural appearance in the Championship 4. Now, Pohlman is poised to return to RCR, this time as Kyle Busch’s crew chief, while former crew chief Randall Burnett gears up for a new role with rookie Connor Zilisch at Trackhouse Racing in 2026.
Implications for the Championship Chase and Team Dynamics
The upcoming NASCAR Cup Series title showdown at Phoenix Raceway not only highlights the strength and determination of contenders like William Byron, Denny Hamlin, and Chase Briscoe, but also underscores the impact of off-track shifts such as Jim Pohlman’s move. For followers closely tracking each Kyle Larson NASCAR championship contender scenario, Earnhardt Jr.’s public stance signals an evolving assessment of the season’s top competitors and the unpredictable factors that can shape the final outcome.
How much does momentum play into this weekend at Phoenix? 🏜️➡️
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