Kyle Larson’s NASCAR tire failure dramatically affected his run for the championship at Phoenix Raceway during Sunday’s Cup Series finale, as both he and Chase Briscoe were set back by flat tires with less than 100 laps to go. This development underscored how tire reliability became a decisive factor jeopardizing the title ambitions of multiple championship contenders at the season’s most critical moment.
Unexpected Tire Troubles Impact Top Drivers
With high stakes in the championship race, drivers like Chase Briscoe and Kyle Larson both faced unexpected adversity when flat tires struck almost simultaneously during Sunday’s final at Phoenix Raceway. Briscoe had faced a similar setback during Friday’s practice, along with earlier incidents in the race itself, underlining the persistent tire risks that plagued contenders all weekend long.
After suffering minor damage, both Briscoe and Larson managed to limp their cars onto pit road for repairs. Nonetheless, each fell a lap behind, a serious disadvantage as the pressure mounted in NASCAR’s championship round. Only a timely yellow flag, triggered by an incident involving Carson Hocevar, gave these drivers a chance to regain lost ground and return to the lead lap.
Persistent Tire Failures Shape the Championship Outcome
Tire-related incidents didn’t just impact Larson and Briscoe; a notable cluster of drivers, including Kyle Busch, Austin Dillon, and AJ Allmendinger, experienced flat tires earlier in the contest. As the intensity built in Stage 3, the risks escalated. Even William Byron, a member of the Championship 4, reported troubling vibrations—often an ominous sign that tire problems were imminent. Denny Hamlin, another top contender, communicated to his team that he might have pushed his tires beyond their limits during the last stint on track.
“There’s chaos in Phoenix! @KyleLarsonRacin and @chasebriscoe have issues! #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/0GgjdRpfjT” — NASCAR (@NASCAR)
Throughout the day, the prevalence of tire failures transformed the race, causing significant frustration and raising the stakes for every lap. As tire wear issues continued to influence car handling and strategy calls, tension mounted among crews and drivers hoping for a clean run to the finish.
Implications for the Championship and the Future
High tire attrition at Phoenix Raceway has put a sharp spotlight on how equipment can unpredictably disrupt even the best-laid plans of championship drivers like Kyle Larson. The presence of so many tire failures among the field increased agitation across the paddock and cast doubt on what it takes to secure a NASCAR Cup Series title when equipment reliability stands in the way. For the championship contenders—Larson, Briscoe, William Byron, and Denny Hamlin—what happened at Phoenix is likely to influence teams’ preparation and strategy for future season finales, as the margin between triumph and disappointment remains paper thin under conditions like these.
There's chaos in Phoenix! @KyleLarsonRacin and @chasebriscoe have issues! #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/0GgjdRpfjT
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 2, 2025
