Kyle Larson NASCAR champion 2025 became a reality as Kyle Larson secured his second NASCAR Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway in a gripping finale marked by last-lap intensity and strategic tire decisions. The Hendrick Motorsports driver prevailed in a chaotic finish, overcoming fierce competition from Denny Hamlin, William Byron, and other top contenders, cementing his place among the modern greats of the sport.
Intense Battle Sets Stage for Late-Race Drama
The championship race saw dominant performances and shifting fortunes, with Denny Hamlin leading much of the field before a late caution dramatically altered the race’s trajectory. With title hopeful William Byron causing a yellow flag, a fast-paced, two-lap dash to the finish was set up, pushing Larson to make crucial decisions in the pits that provided him the vital track position he needed. Although he placed third in the race, these tactics were enough to seal the overall season championship for him.
Larson’s victory adds to a stellar year, reminiscent of his 2021 triumph—the season he joined Hendrick Motorsports. Approaching the Phoenix race, Larson’s consistent performance was evident by his high number of laps led, top-five finishes, and solid overall form throughout the campaign.
Challenging Season Reflects Larson’s Versatility
Despite having not won a Playoff race leading up to the finale—an uncommon scenario for NASCAR champions—Larson demonstrated resilience found previously in the career arcs of drivers like Kyle Busch, who also snatched titles through final-race victories in 2015 and 2019. The #5 team, piloted by Larson, started the season with standout wins at Homestead, Bristol, and Kansas, before hitting a rough patch. Larson’s rough sophomore try in the Indianapolis 500, marred by crashes, served as one of several hurdles this year.
Larson’s versatility distinguishes him in modern motorsports. Counting victories in three of NASCAR’s four crown jewel events—the Coca-Cola 600, Southern 500, and Brickyard 400—only the elusive Daytona 500 win has remained out of reach, despite starting on pole in 2022. His achievements extend to sports car racing as well, with a 2015 24 Hours of Daytona win alongside Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, and Jamie McMurray.
His prowess on dirt tracks is unmatched among Cup Series drivers. Larson holds multiple titles across the Chili Bowl and Knoxville Nationals, and has triumphed in races such as the Kings Royal and Prairie Dirt Classic. Additionally, as co-owner of the High Limit Sprint Car Series, Larson claimed Perth Motorplex’s richest Sprintcar prize earlier this year.
Legacy of the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
The #5 car from Hendrick Motorsports boasts a prestigious lineage, including alumni like Geoff Bodine, Ricky Rudd, Terry Labonte (the 1996 champion for the team), Kyle Busch, Mark Martin, and Kasey Kahne. Kahne’s retirement opened the door for Larson to join this storied program. Larsons’ new multiple-title status places him alongside Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, making him one of only a few to deliver multiple championships for Rick Hendrick’s celebrated squad.
Race Recap: Key Moments and Tire Strategy
The championship showdown was a microcosm of the 2025 NASCAR season’s unpredictability. Denny Hamlin launched from pole and dictated much of the early action, but as leaders navigated lapped traffic around lap 54, William Byron seized the top spot. A series of cautions—sparked by incidents involving John Hunter Nemechek, Shane van Gisbergen, AJ Allmendinger, and Austin Dillon—shuffled the order. Strategic pit stops and multiple flat tires affected Hamlin, Larson, Briscoe, and others.
At different points, both Larson and fellow finalist Chase Briscoe suffered flats, but cautions and timely pit calls kept them in contention. Notably,
“A fortunate break for @chasebriscoe. The No. 19 car continues on in Phoenix. #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/2OvU8UgXLI”
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 2, 2025
gave Briscoe the opportunity to recover from a tire mishap. Later, a frenetic four-wide restart featured all championship contenders battling for the lead, reflecting the high stakes and energy on track for the title.
“THEY ARE FOUR-WIDE!THIS RESTART COULD BE FOR IT ALL! pic.twitter.com/ENqsjePjgT”
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 2, 2025
With three laps to go, Byron’s tire trouble set up an overtime green-white-checkered finish. Drivers faced a tricky strategic call: stay out or pit for fresh Goodyears. Larson, opting for a sharp tire strategy, catapulted himself into championship position as the field mixed tire and fuel gambles. Ultimately, Ryan Blaney claimed the race win, with Brad Keselowski finishing second, but Larson’s smart plays and third-place finish crowned him champion.
“THE TIRE STRATEGY PAYS OFF! KYLE LARSON IS THE 2025 NASCAR CUP SERIES CHAMPION! pic.twitter.com/O3eNtB7IrL”
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 3, 2025
Hamlin settled for second in the season title, with Briscoe and Byron completing the champion’s top five for 2025.
The Impact of Larson’s Championship and What Lies Ahead
Kyle Larson’s 2025 NASCAR Cup Series title underscores both his resilience and his adaptability across racing disciplines, adding further prestige to Hendrick Motorsports and Rick Hendrick’s storied legacy. This triumph places Larson in an elite group with multiple Cup titles and solidifies his reputation as one of the most versatile drivers in racing today. It signals a standard of perseverance and excellence for future NASCAR competitors and brings renewed energy to the sport’s fan base as the series looks to the future.
As the 2025 season closes, all eyes will be on Larson, his rivals like Hamlin and Byron, and the next set of emergent talents ready to challenge for NASCAR’s highest honors, ensuring another dramatic season to come.
A fortunate break for @chasebriscoe.
The No. 19 car continues on in Phoenix. #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/2OvU8UgXLI
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 2, 2025
THEY ARE FOUR-WIDE!
THIS RESTART COULD BE FOR IT ALL! pic.twitter.com/ENqsjePjgT
— 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
