Brad Keselowski has weighed in on the dramatic conclusion of the Denny Hamlin NASCAR Cup season, stating that while he sympathizes with Hamlin, the current racing environment values race wins over overall season championships. The comment comes after a tense final at Phoenix Raceway, where Kyle Larson clinched the Cup title without leading a single lap during the season finale, while Hamlin, the season’s top winner, fell short following a late-race caution.
Kyle Larson Secures Title Amid Controversial Finish
Kyle Larson, driving the No. 5 Chevy, claimed his second championship at Phoenix by crossing the finish line in third place during the last race. Despite not leading any laps in that event, Larson’s points advantage and a timely caution in the closing laps enabled him to secure the title. Denny Hamlin, who tallied six wins and led the most laps at Phoenix, was impacted by the late caution, which disrupted pit strategies and allowed Larson to move ahead.
Reflecting on Hamlin’s loss, Keselowski shared his perspective online:
“Do I feel bad for [Denny Hamlin]? Yes, but we are in an age where race wins have more value than championships and he has won a lot the last few years,” Brad Keselowski wrote.
Keselowski Praises Kyle Larson’s Performance
Brad Keselowski also expressed strong admiration for Kyle Larson, labeling him as the standout driver in NASCAR this year. He complimented the fairness of Larson’s victory by stating:
“He deserved to win the championship regardless of format.”
The current NASCAR playoff structure puts emphasis on both stage points and race wins, with a final reset for the Championship 4 that allows unexpected events, such as cautions, to play a crucial part in determining the champion. This system puts less value on consistent performance throughout the season and increases the potential for shock finishes. Notably, in 2024, Larson experienced a dominant campaign, but Joey Logano took the title thanks to late-season wins and solid average results.
Keselowski has publicly supported the older 36-race points-based championship format, advocating for a return to a system that prioritizes season-long consistency over single-race outcomes.
Reflecting on Missed Opportunities and Phoenix Finale Drama
Brad Keselowski’s own season saw several close calls without a win. As driver and co-owner with RFK Racing, he finished in second place three times—at Atlanta, Bristol, and the Phoenix finale. During the season’s last restart at Phoenix, Keselowski began on the front row with Ryan Blaney and ended up narrowly behind, finishing only 0.097 seconds behind Blaney. Blaney made his move past Keselowski coming out of turn four on the final lap.
Keselowski recounted his final moments of the race:
“We were close 3-5 times. I must find a way to make it count and close it out in 2026. We also need to be faster to have more chances. … I thought the 5 [Larson] and 12 [Blaney] were gonna bump and run for the win. Got in hard to protect and slid the back on old tires. That stunk,” Brad Keselowski wrote.
Since his last win at Darlington Raceway’s spring event, Keselowski has struggled to return to victory lane despite multiple near-misses and strong showings at key tracks.
What the Controversy Means for the Future of NASCAR
This season’s dramatic outcome has spurred ongoing debate about NASCAR’s current playoff formats, with many in the sport—including former champions and team owners like Keselowski—calling for changes to reward overall season performance. The debate is especially poignant for consistent front-runners like Denny Hamlin, who led the field in wins but failed to capture the championship under the present rules. As NASCAR heads into future seasons, the push for a revised format that better balances wins with season-long consistency is likely to intensify, shaping upcoming championships for drivers, teams, and fans alike.
1). The question on all my fan’s minds, what do we need to see the 6 car win?
We were close 3-5 times. I must find a way to make it count and close it out in 2026. We also need to be faster to have more chances with all of @RFKracing
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) November 3, 2025
