In a dramatic finish during the NASCAR Cup Series championship at Phoenix, Kyle Larson became a two-time champion, while Denny Hamlin experienced another Denny Hamlin championship heartbreak, missing his long-awaited title. The race, held on Sunday, ended with Larson outpacing fellow contenders in overtime, dashing Hamlin’s hopes for his first championship.
Key Moments Shape the Championship Race
As the race neared its conclusion, Denny Hamlin appeared poised to secure the championship that had proved elusive throughout his storied career. He looked set to shed his reputation as the driver with the most wins but no series title. The final showdown featured Championship Four drivers: Hamlin, Larson, William Byron, and Chase Briscoe. After a late caution with 33 laps remaining, tension escalated between Hamlin and Byron at the front of the field, setting up what seemed would be the last pit stops of the evening.
When racing resumed, Hamlin stretched his lead, creating a considerable gap between himself and the rest of the contenders. With just three laps left and a comfortable margin ahead of second place, it looked as though nothing could deny Hamlin this time. However, that certainty evaporated when Byron suffered a blown tire, crashed into the wall, and triggered another caution. The setback brought the field back together and forced teams to make critical decisions during the ensuing pit stops before overtime began.
Strategic Pit Decisions Decide the Outcome
At this pivotal moment, Kyle Larson’s crew opted for a two-tire change to gain track position, while Hamlin’s team made the call to take four tires in a bid for optimal grip, hoping he could regain places in the final laps. As the race restarted, Larson emerged fifth and Hamlin dropped to tenth—a significant disadvantage with only a short overtime shootout ahead. Despite fresher tires, Hamlin was unable to reclaim lost ground, finding himself boxed in by circumstance as the laps ticked down.
Larson maintained his lead among the championship hopefuls and secured a third-place finish, sufficient to crown him NASCAR champion for the second time. Ryan Blaney ultimately won the race by crossing the finish line first, but Larson’s placement among the title contenders delivered him the coveted championship trophy.
“THE TIRE STRATEGY PAYS OFF! KYLE LARSON IS THE 2025 NASCAR CUP SERIES CHAMPION! pic.twitter.com/O3eNtB7IrL”— NASCAR (@NASCAR)
Heartbreak and Raw Emotion for Denny Hamlin
Soon after crossing the line, cameras zeroed in on Denny Hamlin as he sat motionless and shocked in his car, visibly processing the stinging disappointment of missing another shot at NASCAR glory. The heartbreak was clear in his demeanor, a moment that stirred empathy from both fans and fellow drivers.
“Nothing but absolute pain for Denny Hamlin. pic.twitter.com/fcc25oGE2v”— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck)
When interviewed after the race, Hamlin discussed the outcome with noticeable pain and frustration. “Nothing I can do different,” Hamlin said.
“What can you do? It’s just not meant to be.”
The 44-year-old driver was asked whether he could attempt another run at the championship. He replied,
“I’ll try. I’ve got a couple more shots at it. But man, if you can’t win that one, I don’t know which one you can win.”
“Denny Hamlin’s interview with Dave Burns after a heartbreaking championship loss at Phoenix.@AlwaysRaceDay pic.twitter.com/7UJOv1BIdz”— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB)
Fellow Competitors React to the Dramatic Finish
William Byron, whose tire failure set in motion the championship-altering caution, voiced sympathy for Hamlin after the race. Byron acknowledged the chain of events—his misfortune directly impacting Hamlin’s championship dream. He said he wished things could have unfolded differently, highlighting the unpredictable nature of racing and how a single moment can tilt the balance for all contenders on the track.
The outcome has already sparked renewed discussion around NASCAR’s playoff system and the role of overtime rules in shaping championship results. For now, however, the drivers must work within the structures of the sport, with the knowledge that one split-second incident can turn a season’s worth of effort in a new direction.
What This Means for Larson, Hamlin, and NASCAR’s Future
Kyle Larson’s championship adds another chapter to his impressive career, solidifying his status among NASCAR’s elite drivers. Denny Hamlin, meanwhile, faces the difficult task of regrouping for another season, carrying the weight of both expectation and frustration as he looks to finally rewrite his record. The result also points to possible continued debates among fans and teams about the fairness and unpredictability introduced by NASCAR’s playoff and overtime formats. Heading into 2026, all eyes will be on whether Hamlin can overcome this latest heartbreak and if Larson can further extend his legacy.
Byron is in the wall!
This may change everything! #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/4AgbfEa8V7
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 2, 2025
Larson takes two.
Hamlin takes four. @KyleLarsonRacin will restart five positions ahead of @dennyhamlin. #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/Siwfl25Ppa— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 2, 2025
THE TIRE STRATEGY PAYS OFF!
KYLE LARSON IS THE 2025 NASCAR CUP SERIES CHAMPION! pic.twitter.com/O3eNtB7IrL
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 3, 2025
Nothing but absolute pain for Denny Hamlin. pic.twitter.com/fcc25oGE2v
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) November 2, 2025
Denny Hamlin’s interview with Dave Burns after a heartbreaking championship loss at Phoenix.@AlwaysRaceDay pic.twitter.com/7UJOv1BIdz
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) November 3, 2025
