Denny Hamlin secured the pole position for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship, topping the final qualifying session ahead of Sunday’s title-deciding race at Phoenix Raceway. The Race, which airs at 3 p.m. ET and will be covered by NBC, Peacock, the Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, will see one of four drivers crowned champion based on their finishing position.
Hamlin Leads Qualifying Ahead of Phoenix Finale
During Saturday’s qualifier for the season’s last event at Phoenix Raceway, Hamlin posted a lap time of 26.914 seconds on the one-mile circuit, placing him at the front of the grid for the championship showdown. William Byron and Kyle Larson, both among the Championship 4 contenders, secured second and third place in qualifying, respectively, while Chase Briscoe will begin from the twelfth spot.
Among the rest of the field, Austin Cindric achieved a strong fourth-place qualifying result, followed by Ryan Blaney of Team Penske, who completes the top five starting positions. Notably, A.J. Allmendinger was unable to set a lap time during qualifying as his team switched to a backup car following a practice incident on Friday.
Field Competes for Coveted Title
The NASCAR Cup Series Championship on Sunday will see one of the Championship 4 drivers—Hamlin, Byron, Larson, or Briscoe—claim the sport’s most sought-after honor by finishing ahead of their title rivals. Hamlin, Byron, and Briscoe are each vying for their first Cup Series championship, while Larson seeks a second title after his 2021 victory at Phoenix.
The event will attract wide attention from motorsports fans, with major organizations like Team Penske and Toyota Gazoo Racing in the spotlight. David Rosenblum of Lumen Digital Agency provided the official photo credit, further connecting the event to key stakeholders involved in the NASCAR ecosystem.
Anticipation Builds for NASCAR Season Finale
The conclusion of the NASCAR Cup Series season at Phoenix Raceway will conclude a year of intense competition, putting established drivers and organizations at center stage. With every position on the track vital to determining the champion, fans and teams alike will closely monitor the performance of Hamlin, Byron, Larson, and Briscoe as the green flag waves to start the championship-deciding race.
The outcome of Sunday’s contest will shape the legacy of the winning driver and their team, reinforcing the significance of the NASCAR Cup Series Championship within both grassroots and mainstream motorsport culture.
