Kyle Larson NASCAR championship win was secured after a turbulent and dramatic final race at Phoenix on November 3, 2025, capping a season marked by setbacks and unexpected developments. Despite a challenging year that included a failed attempt at the Indy 500/Coca-Cola 600 double, a dangerous sprint car accident, and a winless second half of the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, Larson’s consistency and strategic gamble in the final laps earned him his second Cup title.
A Season Marked by Highs, Lows, and Intense Competition
The 2025 NASCAR season played out as one of the most unpredictable and hard-fought in recent memory, with a rotating cast of top contenders and a series of dramatic events influencing the outcome all the way to the final laps in Phoenix. Kyle Larson’s journey to the championship was anything but straightforward, as early triumphs gave way to months of near-misses and adversity.
His struggles included failing to complete the coveted Memorial Day double—attempting both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600—and enduring a severe sprint car crash. Even after a strong start, Larson did not claim another Cup Series victory over the final six months, casting doubt over his championship prospects heading into the playoffs.
Nonetheless, when it counted most, Larson capitalized on the late-race chaos at Phoenix, using a bold two-tire pit stop strategy devised with crew chief Cliff Daniels that propelled him ahead of top rivals. This pivotal call, combined with consistent top-five performances throughout the postseason, allowed Larson to finish ahead of contenders and ultimately secure the 2025 title.
Final 2025 NASCAR Power Rankings: The Top Ten Drivers
The last edition of the NASCAR Power Rankings for 2025 expands the spotlight back to the top ten drivers, incorporating both returning familiar faces and those who narrowly missed playoff glory. The ranking order does not perfectly mirror the final points standings, as the season’s evolving narrative and individual achievements took center stage.
Below is the comprehensive list of the final rankings, detailing the standout seasons and memorable performances that shaped the campaign.
10) Shane Van Gisbergen
Shane Van Gisbergen’s rookie campaign with Trackhouse Racing was a revelation. Claiming five wins—second most of all drivers—he established himself as the class of the field on road courses. Improvement on ovals was evident with multiple top-15 runs at venues like Kansas, Talladega, and Martinsville. Though he ultimately finished twelfth in points, Van Gisbergen’s first season will be remembered as among the best freshman efforts in NASCAR history.
9) Bubba Wallace
Bubba Wallace delivered the highest watermark of his NASCAR career in 2025, which included a defining victory at the Brickyard 400, where he fended off Larson multiple times. Wallace’s playoff run concluded in the round of 12, falling just short of a Championship Four spot after coming agonizingly close to wins at Kansas and Talladega. His ability to outperform teammate Tyler Reddick through notable stretches of the season was a highlight.
8) Joey Logano
Joey Logano’s 2025 campaign saw him continue his pattern of being a perennial threat, starting with an early triumph at Texas that guaranteed him a playoff berth. Quietly, Logano advanced to the round of eight, but a marked lack of speed from Team Penske limited his championship potential. Despite coming up short, Logano’s reputation as a contender remains intact, with any potential rules changes unlikely to slow his pursuit of future titles.
7) Chase Elliott
Chase Elliott opened his season with victory at the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray, but fell behind Hendrick Motorsports teammates William Byron and Kyle Larson for much of the year. Elliott secured a playoff position with a win in Atlanta and progressed to the round of eight after another victory in Kansas. Consistency eluded him late, resulting in a solid, though ultimately underwhelming, eighth-place finish in the standings.
6) Christopher Bell
Christopher Bell set the tone early by winning three of the season’s first four races, immediately positioning himself as a title favorite. However, he struggled to replicate that form for most of the year, collecting another win only in the Bristol playoff round. Bell finished fifth in points, marking sustained success but again falling short of the ultimate goal. A crucial setback at Martinsville ended his title bid, with Larson seizing the final Championship Four spot and capitalizing for the championship.
5) Chase Briscoe
Chase Briscoe’s first season with Joe Gibbs Racing was an impressive step forward. Taking over for the retired Martin Truex Jr., Briscoe initially faced growing pains, but a breakthrough win in Phoenix catalyzed a strong run, resulting in two more victories and a place in the Championship Four. Finishing third in the final standings, Briscoe affirmed his credentials as a rising force in the series.
4) Ryan Blaney
Ryan Blaney’s playoff surge looked promising after capturing a win at Daytona and dominating at New Hampshire. Unfortunately, a blown tire at Las Vegas jeopardized his championship hopes, despite a runner-up finish at Martinsville. Blaney rebounded to win the Phoenix race itself, demonstrating speed and poise, but missed the chance to defend his 2023 Cup title due to elimination in the prior round.
3) William Byron
William Byron capitalized on early-season momentum, securing the regular-season championship and a wave of bonus points. A vital victory at Martinsville booked his spot in the Championship Four. Byron remained in contention for the Cup going into the Phoenix finale, but a late tire failure denied him the title, relegating him to a fourth-place finish in points for a season that promised even more.
2) Denny Hamlin
At 44, Denny Hamlin viewed 2025 as the moment to close out a legendary career with a long-sought NASCAR Cup Series crown. He led the series with six race wins and, with crew chief Chris Gayle, opted for a four-tire change under a late caution at Phoenix after Byron’s misfortune. The gamble did not pay off, and Hamlin could not make up ground, ending the season with another emotional near-miss.
1) Kyle Larson
Larson’s championship-winning season was defined by toughness and split-second decisions under pressure. Despite being outperformed by rivals at various points throughout the season—especially in the final Phoenix race—Larson’s composure, a timely strategic pit call, and some racing luck lifted him to a second Cup title. He finished the Phoenix event third, ahead of Hamlin, which was enough to secure the championship and cap a roller-coaster campaign.
Pivotal Race Moments and Strategies at Phoenix
The Phoenix finale was a microcosm of the entire 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, with variables shifting by the lap and the outcome of the championship hanging in the balance until the very end. William Byron, who appeared poised for a maiden title, suffered a devastating tire failure in the closing laps, bringing out a critical caution. This single moment swung the competitive landscape and forced the remaining contenders to commit to high-stakes strategic choices on pit road.
Denny Hamlin and crew chief Chris Gayle decided to switch to four fresh tires during the late caution, an aggressive move aimed at ensuring maximum speed for the restart. The majority of the field, including Larson, opted for just two tires, making track position the overriding factor. As the green flag waved for the final sprint, the teams watched as Hamlin, despite having fresher rubber, could not make up the necessary positions.
Larson’s drive in the remaining laps was characterized by tactical defense and maintaining composure under immense pressure. He crossed the line behind Ryan Blaney and Brad Keselowski but crucially finished ahead of Hamlin and the other championship hopefuls. This gritty performance was emblematic of Larson’s campaign and the relentless intensity with which the 2025 season was contested.
Looking Ahead: Legacy and Future Implications
Kyle Larson’s NASCAR championship win in 2025 not only adds to his legacy but also signals a potential new era for both himself and Hendrick Motorsports. For established stars like Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano, the outcome is a reminder of how fine the margins are in modern NASCAR competition, with victory and heartbreak divided by mere moments and split-second calls.
The successes of rising talents such as Shane Van Gisbergen and Chase Briscoe demonstrate a changing guard within the series, while veterans continue to adapt to the evolving landscape. The 2025 season will be remembered for its unpredictability, resilient performances, and the dramatic finale that defined one of the most emotionally charged championships in recent years. The NASCAR community and fans will now wait to see how these storylines progress as anticipation builds for 2026 and beyond.
