Kyle Larson secured his second NASCAR Cup Series title in a dramatic finale at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona, outpacing Denny Hamlin after a late-race shakeup. The victory was achieved in the closing laps, solidifying the prominence of the Kyle Larson NASCAR Cup Championship focus in this year’s motorsports calendar.
Last-Lap Drama Defines the Championship Race
On Sunday, Ryan Blaney took the victory in a two-lap overtime shootout in the final NASCAR race of the season in Phoenix, but the spotlight landed on Kyle Larson, who held off Denny Hamlin to claim the championship title. The race was marked by an intense and strategic finish after title contender William Byron crashed, bringing out the ninth caution just three laps from the end.
Denny Hamlin, who led nearly 208 laps of the race and appeared set for his inaugural Cup Series win, saw his hopes dashed after the late caution shifted pit strategies. With most drivers heading for fresh tires, Larson’s No. 5 team opted for just two tires, while Hamlin’s group changed all four, allowing Larson to gain a crucial advantage on pit road.
Larson Takes Advantage in Final Moments
Thanks to his team’s call, Larson began the final restart from a higher position, starting in the upper racing groove. He successfully defended his lead over Hamlin, who remained stuck in the lower lane and could not close the gap before the checkered flag. This achievement marked Larson’s second Cup championship, his first since his 2021 triumph, and added a 15th overall title for Hendrick Motorsports.
Ryan Blaney, although not part of the championship contest, won the race itself for the fourth time this season, narrowly beating Brad Keselowski to the finish line by just 0.097 seconds. Larson, Joey Logano, and Kyle Busch followed, rounding out the top five. Hamlin ultimately finished in sixth place after leading the most laps of any driver on the day.
Lead Changes and Key Events Throughout the Race
The race began with Denny Hamlin, the top qualifier, quickly building an early gap over the field. Despite Hamlin’s commanding start, William Byron improved his performance after the first 25 laps on older tires, ultimately winning Stage 1, with Blaney, Hamlin, Austin Cindric, and Larson in the top five positions.
Midway through the event, Ryan Blaney grabbed the lead during a two-tire stop, but Hamlin, representing Joe Gibbs Racing in his Toyota, soon regained the advantage and pulled out a significant lead over Larson’s Chevrolet. The action intensified on Lap 106, when a tire issue for Chase Briscoe, combined with a spin by Shane van Gisbergen, led to another caution period—providing some drivers a fortuitous chance to pit and reshuffle the running order.
Stage 2 wrapped up with Hamlin still in control, even while experiencing clutch concerns. Other drivers like Ty and Austin Dillon encountered technical difficulties, leading to further caution flags and shaking up the strategy for several teams.
Crucial Tire Choices and Tough Breaks
Around Lap 194, mechanical issues influenced the title contenders’ progress. Both Hamlin and Larson encountered setbacks—Hamlin with a flat left rear tire that sent him to 11th, and Larson with a loose front lug nut, dropping him to 18th—while Briscoe advanced to fifth position and Byron surged into the lead. Tires continued to play a role, with both Larson and Briscoe falling a lap down due to punctures just inside the final 100 laps.
Hamlin managed to reclaim the lead with about 26 laps to go, opening up a substantial margin ahead of the field. However, Byron’s wreck led to the late caution, dramatically reversing the order and giving Larson the track position needed to take command as the laps wound down.
Championship Impact and What’s Ahead
With his latest championship, Kyle Larson joins an elite group of multi-time NASCAR Cup champions, while Hendrick Motorsports reinforces its status as a powerhouse with this 15th title. The race’s tight finish and the strategic calls made by teams such as Joe Gibbs Racing and others showcased the sport’s unpredictable nature. Drivers like Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, and Kyle Busch made their presence felt, while other contenders, including Chase Briscoe and William Byron, struggled in the final standings, finishing 18th and 33rd respectively. The conclusion of this season’s championship battle at Phoenix Raceway sets the stage for another year of highly competitive NASCAR racing, as the new champion and established rivals look ahead to the 2026 season.
