Kyle Larson secured his second NASCAR Cup Series championship on November 2, 2025, at Avondale’s Phoenix Raceway, in a finale that rekindled debates about the enduring impact of Tony Stewart’s NASCAR legacy. Despite a challenging race day, Larson’s victory mirrored a rare achievement Stewart accomplished two decades ago, not winning any of the final ten races but still capturing the title in a dramatic fashion.
The intense showdown saw the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet face adversity after a right-front tire failure on Lap 216 left Larson two laps behind. Nevertheless, crew chief Cliff Daniels’ astute strategy, which included a timely two-tire pit stop during a late caution, propelled Larson past key contenders like Denny Hamlin on the restart. Remarkably, Larson never led a lap during the race, yet his team rallied to secure a spot in victory lane with the Bill France Cup trophy in hand, etching his name once more into NASCAR history.
Larson’s championship conclusion reflected both the unpredictable nature of motorsport and a season filled with ups and downs. He launched 2025 with momentum, collecting three wins by mid-May, including a victory at Kansas Speedway. However, Larson’s pursuit of the grueling ‘Double’—racing in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600—ended in exhaustion and a lackluster result in Charlotte, which left him without points and visibly fatigued. Entering the playoff rounds, he was the sole Championship 4 contender without a recent win yet survived elimination thanks to regular-season points and consistent finishes, capitalizing on his lone opportunity in the championship race.
Larson’s Title Adds to Rare Statistical Feats, Drawing Stewart Parallels
By capturing the Cup at Phoenix, Larson became the first NASCAR Cup Series champion in 20 years to win the title without notching a victory in the final ten races, echoing Tony Stewart’s path in 2005. Larson’s last trip to victory lane before Phoenix came 24 races earlier, setting the longest end-of-season winless streak for a champion since the playoff system’s inception in 2004. His journey through the postseason saw him tie Stewart as just the second driver in the playoff (Chase) era to complete the last ten races without a win, a testament to both endurance and calculated perseverance.
Stewart’s 2005 campaign with crew chief Greg Zipadelli is remembered for its “Summer of Smoke” dominance. Stewart captured five victories and scored ten top-five finishes in a dynamic 13-race stretch, highlighted by a win at the Brickyard 400. When the playoff races began, Stewart’s winning streak ceased, but consistent top results—such as pole position and second place at New Hampshire and leading 283 laps at Martinsville—powered him to the title at Homestead-Miami Speedway despite not claiming another victory. These contrasting approaches between blazing summer runs and steady playoff performance have fueled fan debates on whether consistency or race wins should determine a true champion.
Fans Weigh In on Larson’s Unorthodox Championship Campaign
Supporters across the NASCAR community had strong reactions to the unique path Larson took to the championship. One fan observed,
“I find this hilarious because his whole playoffs were quintessential points racing.”
— Fan. Despite not securing a win during the elimination rounds, Larson’s regular-season points and high placements, such as a second in the Charlotte ROVAL and another runner-up at Las Vegas in the Round of 8, allowed him to advance through the rounds and edge out Christopher Bell at Martinsville for a shot at the finale.
Another fan remarked on Stewart’s prior achievement,
“I think it’s more shocking Stewart didn’t win one in the last 10 races. He had a really insane summer run that year, I guess he coasted off of that.”
— Fan. Stewart’s own campaign began quietly, then accelerated with five victories at tracks such as Sonoma, Daytona, New Hampshire, Indianapolis, and Watkins Glen, which gave him a substantial points cushion before the playoffs reset. His playoff consistency included nine top-ten and four top-five finishes in those final ten races.
Evaluating the scope of Larson’s year, another fan stated,
“Scored the most points in the playoffs. Could’ve easily won Gateway, Vegas, and Talladega. Was best in class at the Roval. It’s not like he just backed into the Championship 4. Perhaps he traded checkers/wreckers for consistency. Won 2 playoff races each of the last two years but couldn’t win the championship,”
—Fan. Larson consistently recorded front-running finishes throughout the postseason, ranking second in points among playoff-eligible drivers over the opening nine races, narrowly missing additional wins at pivotal events.
A further comparison tied Larson’s recent success to Stewart’s record in the playoff era, as noted by a fan:
“Interestingly, Kyle Larson and Tony Stewart also share the record for most wins in the Chase/Playoffs at 5.”
— Fan. Larson’s career playoff victories now stand at 12, while Stewart’s total reached 11—further entwining their standings in NASCAR lore.
Another fan analyzed Larson’s playoff journey, offering,
“He had a mediocre round of 16 but he went 7th, 6th, 2nd, 2nd, 26th(Out of gas at Talladega), 5th, 3rd. It’s not like he ran like ass the whole playoffs.”
— Fan. In later playoff rounds, Larson’s performances improved notably, with consecutive top-ten and top-three finishes positioning him to advance to the championship race after Martinsville.
What Larson and Stewart’s Legacies Mean for NASCAR’s Future
Kyle Larson’s title in Avondale not only marks an extraordinary personal achievement but also reignites a discussion about the values that define a NASCAR champion. Fans, pundits, and the broader audience continue to debate whether race victories or consistent excellence should matter more, a conversation long associated with Tony Stewart’s NASCAR legacy.
Larson’s resilience and ability to seize his moment, particularly with the guidance of Cliff Daniels and the determination of his Hendrick Motorsports team, ensure that his run will be remembered as one of the most emotionally charged and statistically unusual in series history. For NASCAR, this championship demonstrates the depth of competition and the possibility for dramatic comebacks, reinvigorating interest across grandstands and online communities alike.
As the Cup Series looks ahead, the legacy of drivers like Tony Stewart and new generations led by Kyle Larson fuel both nostalgia and anticipation, making NASCAR’s path forward as captivating as ever for drivers, teams, and passionate sports fans.
With his championship win today, Kyle Larson becomes the first champion in 20 years to not have won any of the final 10 races.
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