Kyle Larson secured his second NASCAR Cup Series championship with a third-place finish in a dramatic overtime conclusion at Phoenix Raceway, becoming only the third active driver to achieve multiple titles in the division. This victory not only highlights Larson’s growing legacy, but also extends Chevrolet‘s record with their 34th Driver Championship and celebrates their fifth consecutive Manufacturer Championship, reinforcing their dominance in the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series championship season.
Larson Joins Elite Ranks with Overtime Triumph
In a race filled with intense competition and strategic pivots, Kyle Larson, hailing from Elk Grove, California, navigated a challenging final stage to secure the coveted title. Entering the season finale as one of the Championship Four, Larson had to contend with varying tire strategies, quick cautions, and stiff competition from other title hopefuls, including his Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron. Despite facing a right-front tire issue and falling a lap down, timely cautions and well-executed pit decisions enabled Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet team, led by crew chief Cliff Daniels, to regain track position when it mattered most.
With three laps remaining, a critical call for two tires positioned Larson at the front of the Championship Four for the overtime attempt. As the final green flag waved, Larson outpaced his rivals, securing a third-place finish in the race—good enough to clinch the NASCAR Cup Series championship over his fellow contenders. Larson’s achievement makes him just the third currently active driver to hold more than one Cup Series title, a testament to his skill and the resilience of his team throughout a taxing season.
Chevrolet Celebrates Record-Extending Titles
Chevrolet reached new milestones with their latest Driver and Manufacturer Championships. While Larson’s accomplishment gave the automaker its 34th Driver Championship in the top division—a record—Chevrolet also captured its 44th Cup Series Manufacturer Championship, marking its fifth straight year at the top. The sweep of both titles marks the 29th occasion in which Chevrolet has won both the driver and manufacturer honors within the same season, underscoring the brand’s sustained excellence and commitment to innovation within the sport.
William Byron Shines Early, Hit by Late Misfortune
William Byron, starting from the front row in pursuit of his first NASCAR Cup Series championship, demonstrated his potential early on at Phoenix Raceway. Byron swiftly moved to second place at the start and trailed then-leader Denny Hamlin as an extended green-flag run unfolded. Methodically closing the gap, Byron’s pace allowed him to take the lead with six laps remaining in Stage One, finishing the segment with a strong one-second cushion.
After reporting that his No. 24 Chevrolet felt loose initially but was generally handling well, Byron’s pit crew made slight adjustments during his first stop. This allowed him to exit ahead among the Championship Four heading into Stage Two. Despite a quiet Stage One, both Byron and his team maintained strong positions through pit cycles and cautions, consistently running within the top four. Near the close of Stage Two, a caution with just three laps to go set the field for the next stage, with Byron and Larson among the leading contenders.
Pit Strategies and Tire Drama Shape the Outcome
The intensity of the championship race increased as the field entered the final stage, with multiple teams encountering tire issues, including one that forced Larson to make an unscheduled pit stop under green. Soon after, a caution propelled Chase Elliott to the lead with his No. 9 Chevrolet, with Byron and Elliott battling for the top two spots. Byron regained the lead with 60 laps to go during a prolonged green-flag stretch, assisted by diligent work from his pit crew and consistent pace.
Multiple cautions and a mix of pit strategies reshuffled the field in the closing laps. A crucial two-tire call by crew chief Cliff Daniels elevated Larson 11 spots for a front-row restart with less than 30 laps remaining. With Byron suffering a flat tire just three laps from the finish—which removed him from title contention—Larson’s strategy proved decisive. A final two-tire change enabled him to maintain position among the Championship Four, and a strong overtime restart secured his second championship as he crossed the line in third.
Top Performances and Team Chevy’s Season Stats
The race at Phoenix Raceway featured robust performances from multiple drivers piloting Chevrolets. Team Chevy placed four cars in the top ten, with the unofficial finishing order showing Kyle Larson in third, Kyle Busch in fifth, Michael McDowell in eighth, and Chase Elliott in tenth. Throughout the 36-race NASCAR Cup Series season, Chevrolet amassed 15 wins, 13 poles, 67 top-five finishes, 144 top-ten results, and 28 stage wins—an impressive array of achievements that reflect the organization’s across-the-board competitiveness.
Drivers Reflect on Challenges and Milestones
Drivers from across the Team Chevy stable shared their thoughts, with each highlighting key moments and takeaways from the season finale and their overall campaigns.
We had a pretty strong Busch Light Chevy today at Phoenix. Phil made a couple of adjustments early in the race to get the handling better and we were able to maintain a top-10 spot for most of the race, especially with good pit stops. We were a little further back on the last restart than we had been all day because of all the varying pit strategies but it was a solid day. We had speed and we wrapped up a good season for the No. 1 Busch Light Chevy team. The win at Charlotte, the playoffs and Chevrolet wrapping up the championship today. I’m going to take a little break and then get right back to work on next season.
— Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Today was a learning day for our No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Waterfowl team. We wanted to end the season on a good note but once we had a tire go down under green, we shifted our focus to learning for 2026. Boswell and the guys made a ton of adjustments throughout the race to see how our car would react and hopefully put ourselves in a better position here at Phoenix next spring. Overall, I’m proud of the effort that everyone at RCR, ECR, and CT Springs put into this entire season. We are all looking forward to spending time with our families and we’ll be ready to start again in a couple of months.
— Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
We struggled with a loose-handling Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet to start the race today at Phoenix Raceway, but Crew chief Andy Street and the guys went back the other way on adjustments and our Chevy came to life. It really became good, and we were able to tie corners together better and make some good moves on restarts to get track position. That was a positive note to end the season with a top-five finish and get some momentum for our team and everyone at RCR to get ready for the Daytona 500.
— Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Not the way we wanted to finish our season, my WeatherTech Chevy lacked overall grip today. Just something to work on and learn from as we prepare to come back here (Phoenix Raceway) next season. It’s been an epic year with my 88 team! Everyone put so much hard work into making it an unforgettable rookie season in the Cup Series. Already looking forward to getting next season started.
— Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Kyle Larson and William Byron Provide Reactions
Kyle Larson, moved by the gravity of the moment and the unpredictability of the final laps, reflected on both the adversity faced and the unwavering drive of his team under the guidance of Cliff Daniels. William Byron, meanwhile, shared the disappointment of coming so close to the championship, only to be struck by misfortune in the closing moments after a year of strong performances.
“I’m just speechless… I can’t believe it. We had an average car, at best. We had the right-front go down and lost a lap. We got saved by the caution and did the wave-around. We really struggled that run. We took two tires and I was like – oh, here we go… we’re going to go to the back now. But I had a lot more grip than I anticipated. We got lucky with the final caution. I was really hoping we were going to take two again. I felt like I learned a lot on that restart, bombing one and two really hard. Thought I could do the same thing if we got another one.
It’s just unbelievable. What a year by Hendrick Motorsports. Cliff Daniels’ (crew chief) leadership just showed that whole race. He kept us all motivated and always had a plan. That’s just the story of our season. Again, just unbelievable. I cannot believe it. This is insane.” — Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
“It just stings. It was three laps to go and I was just thinking – okay, let me get to the end. I felt something funny off of (turn) two and thought it might be a flat. I thought at the time, if it’s the left-rear, you could maybe get back. But it just went straight into turn three. It laid down on the right-rear and went straight. I just felt like a passenger at that point. But all-in-all, I’m proud of this No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet team. We had a good day going. We had a shot to win it. We just didn’t quite have enough.
We brought our best towards the end of the playoffs, for sure. The win last weekend (at Martinsville Speedway) was great. Today was really good, too. Thank you to Axalta, Chevrolet, all of our partners. It’s been an awesome year. I wish we could have finished it off better, but we’ll get going for next year and take some much needed time off.” — William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Michael McDowell, after an eighth-place finish, added his appreciation for the progress made throughout the event and the steps taken by Spire Motorsports, while also recognizing the accomplishments of the No. 5 team and Hendrick Motorsports as a whole. He shared his satisfaction with the direction the program is taking heading into the next campaign and the sense of unity within Team Chevy.
“It was a long day in the No. 71 Tide Chevrolet, but a great finish. Really proud of the rally we made there at the end. We had improvements all day long. Really excited for the Spire Motorsports cars. Carson (Hocevar) ran in the top-10 all day long before that tire went down. We were able to capitalize and get a top-10 there at the end. Proud of the speed and proud of the effort. We’re making gains and it’s a great way to head into the off-season.
I’m so happy for everybody at Hendrick Motorsports, the Hendrick Engine Shop and Chevrolet with the No. 5 team (Kyle Larson) getting the championship.” — Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Season Wrap-Up and Looking Ahead
The decisive race at Phoenix wasn’t just about the pursuit of a crown; it was the result of a season marked by competition, adaptation, and dramatic storylines. For the drivers, especially Kyle Larson, the victory capped a year of perseverance, tactical adjustments, and united effort, exemplifying what it takes to succeed at this level. Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet further cemented their positions among the sport’s elite organizations, while notable drivers like William Byron demonstrated both potential and resilience even in the face of heartbreak.
As the celebrations conclude and teams regroup for an off-season of preparation, the impact of this NASCAR Cup Series championship will be felt not only by those on the podium but across the broader spectrum of drivers, crew members, and fans. With names like Ross Chastain, Austin Dillon, Kyle Busch, Michael McDowell, Shane van Gisbergen, and Chase Elliott continuing to make their marks, the groundwork is laid for another electrifying championship battle when the next season gets underway.
