Kyle Larson, a standout driver for Hendrick Motorsports, secured his second Cup Series championship on November 2, 2025, at Phoenix Raceway, marking another significant achievement for the Kyle Larson Cup Series champion. Despite the victory, Larson expressed mixed feelings, reflecting on events that impacted his closest rival, Denny Hamlin, during the decisive race.
The final round was intensely competitive, with Larson’s #5 Chevy Camaro ZL1 starting third on the grid and Denny Hamlin of Joe Gibbs Racing taking pole position after an impressive lap time of 26.91 seconds and a top speed of 133.76 mph in his #11 Toyota Camry XSE. Both drivers held their ground firmly among the top five through the initial stages, highlighting the tight battle at the front of the field.
Decisive Pit Strategy Alters the Outcome
As the race unfolded, strategic decisions became crucial. Denny Hamlin’s pivotal pit stop late in the contest was a turning point—opting for four fresh tires while others, including Larson, chose just two. This choice ultimately diminished Hamlin’s advantage, causing him to lose ground in the closing laps and ending his chances at securing the championship title. Larson’s consistent drive allowed him to finish ahead in third place, with Hamlin crossing the line in sixth after the extended 319-lap battle at the one-mile track.
Despite standing atop the NASCAR Cup Series for the second time, Larson openly showed empathy for his rival and Hamlin’s team in his post-race comments:
“There’s definitely a large part of me that feels really bad and sad.”
Kyle Larson, Cup Series Champion
Crew Chief Cliff Daniels Addresses Media Absence and Team Focus
In the days surrounding the season finale, another storyline emerged as Cliff Daniels, Kyle Larson’s crew chief, was notably absent from the pre-race media day at Phoenix Raceway. Daniels addressed this during a subsequent interview, explaining the reasons behind his absence and the priorities that took precedence.
Larson’s car encountered problems during practice, including contact with the wall and tire issues. Daniels and Larson dedicated their efforts to resolving these challenges during the lead-up, focusing so intently on preparing the #5 Chevy that media obligations were missed. Daniels shared his perspective on the situation and appreciated accommodations made by others:
“Was extended for a little while with the tire issues. Kyle and I were completely locked into what we had going on, and I was looking at the car, and before I knew it, I missed our time. So my apologies for that. Thank you all for accommodating overall for the weekend. I think our team’s in a really good spot.”
Cliff Daniels, Crew Chief
“Kyle feels pretty comfortable in the car. We were looking for a few different things through our practice progression yesterday, trying to find the right look at short-run speed and then capture a runner who really focused on the medium-to long-run pace,” he added.
Since joining forces in 2021, Cliff Daniels and Kyle Larson have built a successful partnership, earning multiple victories and two Cup Series championships together in 2021 and 2025. Their focus and persistence proved instrumental not only in fixing technical issues ahead of the finale but also in navigating the season’s most critical moments.
Implications for Drivers, Teams, and NASCAR Fans
Kyle Larson’s latest Cup Series triumph affirms his standing among NASCAR’s elite, while also highlighting the razor-thin margins and emotional stakes that define championship drives. The sportsmanship and empathy shown by the new champion towards Denny Hamlin underscored the respect at the heart of top-level motorsports competition.
As the racing community reflects on the dramatic end to the season, attention turns to how drivers like Larson and Hamlin—and their teams at Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing—will shape the next chapter of the Cup Series. The 2025 finale at Phoenix Raceway will be remembered not only for its outcome but also for the moments of human connection and strategic complexity that determined the champion.
Make no mistake – @KyleLarsonRacin isn’t apologizing for winning. But his thoughts on @dennyhamlin not winning it as a competitor and friend are interesting and worth reading/watching in full.
🗣️ “There’s definitely a large part of me that feels really bad and sad.” #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/r0Mghkt6uL
— Davey Segal (@DaveyCenter) November 3, 2025
