The NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 arrives at Phoenix Raceway today, as Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Chase Briscoe compete for the season’s most coveted title. As anticipation for the conclusion of the 2025 NASCAR season peaks, all eyes are set on these finalists and whether the championship’s path will favor a veteran, a rising star, or a newly dominant contender.
Denny Hamlin Faces a Crucial Opportunity at Phoenix
Denny Hamlin, widely regarded as one of the most accomplished drivers yet to claim a NASCAR Cup Series title, enters Phoenix Raceway with a powerful sense of urgency. Over his career, Hamlin has repeatedly come close to winning the championship, excelling under various playoff formats, yet ultimate victory has always eluded him. Now, as a three-time Daytona 500 winner and a figure destined for the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Hamlin has limited chances left to secure the elusive crown before his planned retirement after 2027.
This weekend, Hamlin leads the field from pole position in his No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, showcasing both speed and determination. His performance in qualifying indicates strong potential for a breakthrough, provided no unexpected issues arise. A championship victory this year would hold profound significance, especially as Hamlin’s father, Dennis, battles terminal illness, making this opportunity particularly poignant.
An intriguing off-track storyline adds to Hamlin’s moment in the spotlight, as Jared Turner notes,
“Highly polarizing @dennyhamlin is … shockingly … a serious contender to win the 2025 Award for @NASCAR Most Popular Driver.
Can you believe it???
Learn more and see who the @JoeGibbsRacing driver’s chief challengers are.https://t.co/3sS4fRMdLK
— Jared Turner (@jared_turner) November 1, 2025”
— Jared Turner, NASCAR Writer
Chase Briscoe Confronts His First Championship Test
Chase Briscoe enters his fifth year as a Cup Series driver with an unexpected but thrilling berth among the Championship 4. As the only finalist to reach this stage for the first time, Briscoe represents a wild card, facing the intensity of the season’s biggest race with fresh eyes and little precedent.
Briscoe’s transition to Joe Gibbs Racing has delivered an impressive first season, where he demonstrated composure in critical moments. However, the single-race, winner-take-all championship format presents a unique challenge that even Briscoe has not previously encountered. Entering today’s race as an underdog, his 12th-place starting position is the lowest among the title contenders, and he struggled to reach top speed during preparations at Phoenix. Averted disaster — narrowly avoiding crashing after a tire issue during Friday’s practice — stands as a testament to his tenacity and quick thinking.
Back in Mitchell, Indiana, Briscoe’s supporters are rallying for their local hero. Jared Turner captures the mood:
“There’s a HUGE party going down in tiny Mitchell, Indiana on Sunday to watch hometown hero @chasebriscoe battle for a @NASCAR Cup Series championship.
Apparently, @NASCARonNBC will be there, too.
Will you?https://t.co/u9IvBGtSaf
— Jared Turner (@jared_turner) November 1, 2025”
— Jared Turner, NASCAR Writer
William Byron Aims to Reclaim Dominance
William Byron enters Championship 4 contention after a regular season characterized by strength and consistency. As a two-time Daytona 500 winner and one of the few drivers to reach the Championship 4 three times, Byron’s talent propelled him to clinch the regular season title a race ahead of schedule.
Despite his early triumphs, Byron encountered difficulties in the early playoff rounds but managed to secure his place among the finalists with a commanding victory at Martinsville Speedway last week. The similarities between Martinsville’s flat corners and the 1-mile Phoenix layout offer a promising parallel for Byron’s performance, raising hopes for another triumph as he drives for Hendrick Motorsports.
Byron’s approach to competition off the track is also noteworthy, as detailed by Jared Turner:
“Shockingly, @NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 driver and two-time Daytona 500 winner @WilliamByron likes to fly commercial … and the @TeamHendrick driver has a really practical reason for doing so.https://t.co/u9nAHpmChr
— Jared Turner (@jared_turner) November 1, 2025”
— Jared Turner, NASCAR Writer
Kyle Larson Leans on Experience Amid Late-Season Challenges
Kyle Larson stands alone among the Championship 4 as the only driver with an existing Cup Series title under this playoff format. His early dominance in the 2025 season, marked by three victories in the opening third, set high expectations. However, in the final two-thirds of the season, Larson and his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet squad have struggled to find Victory Lane, entering Phoenix without a recent win.
Larson’s seasoned perspective and familiarity with high-stakes scenarios present valuable assets, particularly given the pressure-cooker format of the championship race. Traditionally, securing the title requires victory in the finale, so Larson must summon his best performance yet if he hopes to regain his championship status in the Valley of the Sun.
The Stage Is Set for a Career-Defining Race
As NASCAR’s premier event unfolds at Phoenix Raceway, key entities such as Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports bring a wealth of experience while the finalists — Hamlin, Larson, Byron, and Briscoe — embody the sport’s blend of seasoned talent and emerging storylines. Today’s race stands as a crucible for the four remaining title contenders, where strategy, execution, and resilience will determine who ascends as the NASCAR Cup Series champion.
The outcome of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 will shape legacies, influence future seasons, and provide lasting memories for fans and participants alike. Whether a first-time titleist or a repeat champion emerges, the result will echo across the sport, reinforcing the significance of this high-stakes contest as NASCAR closes one of its most dramatic years.
Highly polarizing @dennyhamlin is … shockingly … a serious contender to win the 2025 Award for @NASCAR Most Popular Driver.
Can you believe it???
Learn more and see who the @JoeGibbsRacing driver's chief challengers are.https://t.co/3sS4fRMdLK
— Jared Turner (@jared_turner) November 1, 2025
There's a HUGE party going down in tiny Mitchell, Indiana on Sunday to watch hometown hero @chasebriscoe battle for a @NASCAR Cup Series championship.
Apparently, @NASCARonNBC will be there, too.
Will you?https://t.co/u9IvBGtSaf
— Jared Turner (@jared_turner) November 1, 2025
Shockingly, @NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 driver and two-time Daytona 500 winner @WilliamByron likes to fly commercial … and the @TeamHendrick driver has a really practical reason for doing so.https://t.co/u9nAHpmChr
— Jared Turner (@jared_turner) November 1, 2025
