Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman Jeff Gordon provided key insights as he dissected Kyle Larson’s tense victory in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series title race at Phoenix Raceway, reflecting on the pivotal moments that secured the championship. With his expert Jeff Gordon NASCAR Cup analysis, he highlighted Larson’s ability to clinch the season crown, despite finishing third in the race and never leading a lap, emphasizing the intensity and strategy of the final restart.
How Larson Seized the Title in a Thrilling Finale
In the closing moments of the championship race, a late caution following William Byron’s tire problem set up an overtime restart that determined the title. Kyle Larson, driving the No. 5 Chevrolet, began the restart from the fifth position among a crowded pack of title contenders. Opting for a late pit stop and taking only two tires, Larson’s team at Hendrick Motorsports made a bold strategy call to improve his track position for the final stretch.
The final laps played out with high tension as Larson navigated through top challengers, including Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Busch. His deft maneuvering allowed him to cross the line in third place, while the points system rewarded him with a second Cup Series title. According to Jeff Gordon, multiple factors, including tire strategy and decisive restarts, propelled Larson to the historic achievement.
Jeff Gordon’s Real-Time Breakdown of the Decisive Restart
During post-race coverage, Gordon relived the pivotal moments of the overtime restart and highlighted the technical differences between Cup cars and the truck series.
“He didn’t get a good launch. Like, I expect him to be side by side with the 48 [Alex Bowman] three wide right here, and then he ends up going to the outside, and I’m like, oh, gosh, you don’t want to see our guys make contact. But when he made that big run off it, too, and then you see 11 (Denny Hamlin) bogged up on the bottom, you know, these cars are so such a level playing field as good as 11 was.”
—Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairman, Hendrick Motorsports
Gordon also commented further on the unpredictable nature of the Cup cars and tires compared to trucks:
“But these cars and this tire, it just isn’t quite like the truck series, right? And so at this point. … I’m like, okay, we’re good. We’re good. We got we got pretty clean air.”
—Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairman, Hendrick Motorsports
Tough Loss for Denny Hamlin After Domination
Denny Hamlin started from pole position and appeared poised to claim the championship, leading 208 of the 319 laps at Phoenix Raceway. However, the late caution proved costly, stripping Hamlin of his lead and leaving him to finish sixth as Larson and other title contenders surged ahead in the final scramble. Hamlin’s heartbreaking loss underscored the unpredictability and drama prevalent throughout the season’s last race.
Gordon’s High Expectations for Larson’s Future Success
After the victory, Jeff Gordon’s admiration and ambition for Larson became clear in his remarks at the post-race press conference. Having established a strong bond with the California native and defending champion, Gordon publicly encouraged Larson to outpace his record of four career championships.
“As long as he’s on our team, I want him to win 10,”
Jeff Gordon said. —Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairman, Hendrick Motorsports
This lighthearted challenge reflects both Gordon’s confidence in Larson’s talent and the drive within Hendrick Motorsports to accumulate more titles. Larson now joins Joey Logano and Kyle Busch as the only active drivers with two or more Cup championships, further cementing his place in modern NASCAR history.
Looking Ahead After a Riveting Championship Showdown
Kyle Larson’s triumph, achieved through strategic decisions and nerves of steel during Phoenix’s critical laps, marks a milestone for Hendrick Motorsports and reinforces his reputation among the sport’s elite. Gordon’s detailed Jeff Gordon NASCAR Cup analysis provides not just praise for Larson, but also sets a sky-high bar for what he and his team might accomplish in the coming years. With intense rivalries fueled by contenders like Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano, NASCAR fans can anticipate even more dramatic conclusions and storied battles in future seasons.
Jeff Gordon breaks down the final restart that made Kyle Larson a 2-time Cup Series Champion…
Post-Race Coverage is on YouTube! https://t.co/bl8V7vEb9f pic.twitter.com/KToEQ16yDQ
— Steve Letarte (@SteveLetarte) November 3, 2025
