The NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway was marked by unexpected challenges as the Chase Briscoe tire failure and similar incidents reshaped the outcome for contenders, casting a shadow over the title race on Sunday. Key drivers, including Chase Briscoe and Kyle Larson, both faced right-side tire failures, turning the anticipated finale into a survival test.
Tire Issues Disrupt the Championship Contenders
The day began with Denny Hamlin solidly leading, steering his No. 11 car from pole position and dominating early laps. However, recurring cautions and flat tires quickly changed the tone. The Chase Briscoe tire failure became a focal point as, after an earlier delay caused by a right-rear deflation post-caution, Briscoe valiantly returned to the top five only to face another sudden blowout seconds after Larson’s misfortune. The widespread tire struggles created a tense and unpredictable atmosphere for the title hopefuls.
Goodyear had brought a single-spec tire to Phoenix, expecting consistent performance after previous races at New Hampshire and Martinsville. Teams prepared for predictable grip, but the finale instead saw repeated right-side problems. The chaos extended beyond Briscoe and Larson: Alex Bowman, another Hendrick Motorsports driver, also fell victim to a cut right-front, while Carson Hocevar’s mishap initiated a caution and momentarily opened up fresh opportunities for Larson.
There’s something wrong on the No. 5! #Championship4
Late Race Restarts Shape the Final Standings
With the race evolving into a balance of speed, fortune, and damage control, Larson’s own tire issue arrived while he was running inside the top 10 around lap 215. He managed to slow and nurse his No. 5 Chevrolet back to pit road, narrowly avoiding accident and settling for a lengthy pit stop that put him a lap down. Despite his setback, the timing of cautions allowed Larson to recover track position.
Meanwhile, as the laps dwindled, a critical restart with 32 laps remaining saw Chase Briscoe leading the inside lane, with Larson beside him. Hamlin, still determined, tried an aggressive move on the backstretch, but the race remained turbulent; another tire problem for William Byron drove the event into overtime, further complicating strategy calls for all drivers. With aggressive pit decisions in the final moments, some teams opted for two tires while Denny Hamlin, who had dominated for most of the race with 208 laps led, took four and dropped into fourth position.
Losing Grip and Gaining Titles: Larson Clinches Despite Setbacks
Kyle Larson entered Phoenix seeking to end his longest winless streak with Hendrick Motorsports, and despite the adversity, managed to keep himself in contention after his tire failure. He regained composure, avoided major incident, and used the next caution period to return to the lead lap. The hard work paid off, as another restart shuffled the order, and all four title contenders were once again grouped together for the run to the checkered flag. In the closing laps, Larson held strong on the outside line, finishing third and securing his second Cup Series title, while Chase Briscoe’s day was overshadowed by the timing and severity of his own tire troubles.
A Finale Marked by Uncertainty and What Lies Ahead
The repeated Chase Briscoe tire failure and similar incidents, paired with the unpredictability of the Goodyear tire compound, transformed what was supposed to be a straightforward championship battle into a dramatic and exhausting contest. The struggles faced by title drivers, including William Byron and Alex Bowman, underscored the razor-thin margins and the pressure NASCAR athletes endure on the biggest stage.
While Larson’s resilience earned him another title and Denny Hamlin’s dominance fell short at the very end, the entire field was reminded that in NASCAR, even the best can be undone by a single tire. As teams, drivers, and fans look ahead, questions remain about how equipment choices and track conditions will impact next season’s biggest races.
There's something wrong on the No. 5! #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/388Fbx2kmT
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 2, 2025
