Denny Hamlin captured the pole position for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway with a qualifying speed of 133.759 mph on Saturday, placing him at the forefront of the season’s decisive event. As a renowned competitor with 60 career wins but still seeking his first series championship, Hamlin’s pole spot adds anticipation to the upcoming title showdown.
Hamlin Secures Leading Start Ahead of Fellow Contenders
On Saturday, Hamlin posted the fastest qualifying time among the Championship 4, ensuring he will start at the front when the green flag drops for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race. Following closely behind him will be William Byron, who was only 0.042 seconds behind in qualifying, and Kyle Larson, the 2021 champion, who qualified third with a speed of 133.437 mph.
Chase Briscoe, the remaining contender for the title, will start from the 12th position on the grid. The tight competition among these drivers heightens the stakes as they battle not just for race victory, but for the championship itself.
In preparation for the weekend, Ty Gibbs set the pace during Friday’s 50-minute practice with a best lap of 131.868 mph. Hamlin, while finishing fifth fastest in practice at 131.262 mph, still led all drivers contending for the championship.
“The lineup is set for the #Championship4. @dennyhamlin secures his seventh front-row start of 2025. pic.twitter.com/37p21Qg71f” — NASCAR (@NASCAR), November 1, 2025
Full Starting Lineup for the Championship Race
The official starting grid for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway includes a field of top drivers from across the circuit. Below is the complete list of the drivers and their starting positions for Sunday’s highly anticipated race:
1. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Toyota
2. William Byron, No. 24 Chevrolet
3. Kyle Larson, No. 5 Chevrolet
4. Austin Cindric, No. 2 Ford
5. Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Ford
6. Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Chevrolet
7. Josh Berry, No. 21 Ford
8. Alex Bowman, No. 48 Chevrolet
9. Chris Buescher, No. 17 Ford
10. Joey Logano, No. 22 Ford
11. Kyle Busch, No. 8 Chevrolet
12. Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Toyota
13. Ross Chastain, No. 1 Chevrolet
14. Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Chevrolet
15. Erik Jones, No. 43 Toyota
16. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Chevrolet
17. Chase Elliott, No. 9 Chevrolet
18. Noah Gragson, No. 4 Ford
19. Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Ford
20. Christopher Bell, No. 20 Toyota
21. Ryan Preece, No. 60 Ford
22. Zane Smith, No. 38 Ford
23. Bubba Wallace, No. 23 Toyota
24. Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Toyota
25. Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Toyota
26. Austin Dillon, No. 3 Chevrolet
27. Cole Custer, No. 41 Ford
28. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Toyota
29. Justin Haley, No. 7 Chevrolet
30. Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Ford
31. Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Chevrolet
32. Riley Herbst, No. 35 Toyota
33. Cody Ware, No. 51 Ford
34. Ty Dillon, No. 10 Chevrolet
35. JJ Yeley, No. 44 Chevrolet
36. Casey Mears, No. 66 Ford
37. Michael McDowell, No. 71 Chevrolet
38. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Chevrolet
“One race that will change a driver’s legacy forever. This is the #Championship4. pic.twitter.com/pMMIzwsMpP” — NASCAR (@NASCAR), October 29, 2025
Championship Implications and What to Watch For
With Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Kyle Larson, and Chase Briscoe vying for the ultimate honor, the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion at Phoenix Raceway. All four have showcased determination and consistency throughout the season, but only one will emerge as the series champion after Sunday’s race. The outcome could define a career, particularly for Hamlin, who stands at the cusp of capturing his long-awaited first championship in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race. Fans and teams alike are anticipating an intense and memorable event as the green flag waves on Sunday.
The lineup is set for the #Championship4. @dennyhamlin secures his seventh front-row start of 2025. pic.twitter.com/37p21Qg71f
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 1, 2025
One race that will change a driver's legacy forever.
This is the #Championship4. pic.twitter.com/pMMIzwsMpP
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 29, 2025
