Kyle Larson NASCAR Cup Champion became the headline at Phoenix Raceway on November 2, 2025, as Larson clinched the Cup Series title in a dramatic overtime finish, despite finishing in third place. The race ended with an unexpected twist as playoff strategies and tire calls decided the fate of this year’s championship.
Kyle Larson Secures NASCAR Cup Title in Overtime Thriller
Kyle Larson entered the Phoenix finale with high hopes but without the dominance one might expect from a champion. Notably, Larson neither led a lap nor won the race, but his third-place finish proved sufficient under NASCAR’s 2025 playoff system. The decisive moment came after a late-race caution when Larson opted for a two-tire pit stop, joining a group that gambled on track position over fresh rubber.
Denny Hamlin, who had led a remarkable 208 out of 312 laps, made the call for four new tires on the final pit stop. This decision would prove critical, as it placed him deeper in the pack amid heavy traffic. Meanwhile, Larson’s pit strategy allowed him to stay ahead, despite overcoming a blown tire earlier in the event.
Hamlin’s gamble did not pay off—he could not recover in time and ultimately crossed the line in sixth position, missing out on the championship yet again. Larson’s finishing position is now the lowest by a Cup champion since NASCAR introduced this playoff format, but nevertheless, it was enough to secure his crown as the 2025 NASCAR Cup Champion.
“Time to make some room in that trophy case, @KyleLarsonRacin. 🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/r3vk8nLo1z”— NASCAR (@NASCAR)
“2025 NASCAR Champions! 🏆🍾 pic.twitter.com/lrC5uNkFEg”— Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin)
Ryan Blaney Claims Phoenix Victory While Larson Takes the Championship
Even as Kyle Larson celebrated his new title, it was Ryan Blaney who took the checkered flag at Phoenix, adding a fourth win to his 2025 season. Blaney started from fifth on the grid and showed consistent pace throughout the event, leading 20 laps including the most critical one—edging out Brad Keselowski in overtime by a razor-thin .097-second margin. This win marks the 17th of Blaney’s Cup Series career, underlining his reputation as one of the series’ most competitive drivers.
Blaney, who notably became the only other driver besides Larson to claim a playoff championship without winning the final race two years ago, saw his title hopes slip away earlier in the playoffs. Nonetheless, his performance in Phoenix capped an impressive year behind the wheel.
“No denying @Blaney today!The No. 12 wins at @phoenixraceway! pic.twitter.com/pTPfMajrRO”— NASCAR (@NASCAR)
Denny Hamlin’s Title Drought Continues
Denny Hamlin has been among NASCAR’s elite for years, and 2025 provided yet another gut-wrenching close call. Hamlin commanded the race for most of the day, only to lose his shot at the championship during the pivotal overtime restart. Despite his track record of consistent wins with the Next Gen car, Hamlin’s elusive Cup title remains out of reach, though his career achievements have long earned him a place in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
This year’s finale, where Hamlin was racing for his father and not just himself, represented one of his closest brushes with championship glory. While there is speculation he might still lift the Cup before retiring, he remains just four wins shy of ninth place on NASCAR’s all-time victories list. The ongoing debate among fans about whether Hamlin’s career needs a title for validation continues, but his statistics speak volumes.
Other Drivers Shine in the Phoenix Finale
While the main story focused on the championship battle, several other drivers made notable gains during the Phoenix event. Michael McDowell provided one of the day’s biggest surprises by charging from a 37th place start to finish eighth, a 29-position improvement. Brad Keselowski, who nearly won before Blaney’s last-minute pass, improved by 17 positions, showcasing the resilience and competitiveness of his team.
Ryan Preece, another standout, ended his season on a positive note by moving from 21st to ninth, earning his 14th top-ten finish of the year. Outside of title contenders like Chase Briscoe and William Byron, few drivers managed to break into the spotlight, given the intensity and pressure surrounding the championship.
“Proud of everyone at @SpireMotorsport and thankful for all the hard work that went into this season. Top-10 to close it out in the @Tide ride! pic.twitter.com/JfOrk8vOLZ”— Michael McDowell (@Mc_Driver)
Playoff Format Debates and Possible Changes Ahead
With the announcement that NASCAR may alter its championship format for the next season, the debate among fans and participants has reignited. The league is reportedly considering shifting to a new system that would involve a three-round structure and a four-race championship round, potentially eliminating the current win-and-in provision that affected this year’s playoff lineup.
Some have suggested a return to a format that resets points after 26 regular season races, akin to the old Chase system. Calls for a full-season championship are numerous but, as evidenced by mixed fan reactions during the Phoenix event, opinions remain divided. Notably, under season-long point standings before the final race, William Byron held a slender lead over Larson, but Larson’s finish in the finale was enough to surpass him and claim both the event and season title under current rules.
The question of how best to crown a deserving champion in a sport as unpredictable as NASCAR remains, as fans and officials consider the merits of rewarding consistent excellence versus postseason heroics.
Anticipated Changes Off the Track: Legal Turmoil and Team Dynamics
With the engines silent for the offseason, another storyline is set to dominate headlines: the ongoing antitrust lawsuit involving 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports versus NASCAR. The high-profile case is scheduled for trial on December 1, unless a settlement is reached beforehand. Recent proceedings have already released confidential insights into NASCAR’s business operations with teams and the handling of charters, and more revelations are expected as the trial approaches.
If the legal challenge proceeds to a full trial, the repercussions could shape the sport for years to come, introducing shifts in team power dynamics and altering the structure of NASCAR’s governing agreements. Both fans and teams await further developments, understanding the potential for lasting consequences depending on the trial’s outcome.
Phoenix Race Review: Tire Struggles and On-Track Drama
The Phoenix finale, when stripped of its championship implications, reflected many of the challenges and nuances of NASCAR’s Next Gen era on flat tracks. Passing at the front proved difficult, adding to the pressure for strategic decisions in the closing laps. Teams contended with right-side tire failures, which impacted all four championship contenders to varying degrees. Hamlin and William Byron benefited from timely cautions, while Larson and Briscoe faced tougher battles after their setbacks.
Issues with tire durability heightened the intensity of the event, raising concerns among fans and observers about how much luck, rather than driver skill, played into the final result. While attrition remains part of racing, some argue that frequent tire failures should not dictate the outcome of a championship race.
The event will be remembered chiefly for the drama surrounding the Cup title, rather than for stand-out wheel-to-wheel battles or memorable moments in the pack. Without the championship stakes, it might have been just another race on the calendar.
Looking Forward: Implications for NASCAR’s Future
Kyle Larson’s achievement as the 2025 NASCAR Cup Champion at Phoenix underscores the unpredictable and charged nature of the sport’s current playoff era, where strategy and timing can often outweigh outright dominance. The performances of drivers like Ryan Blaney and Michael McDowell highlight the resilience and depth of the Cup field, while Denny Hamlin’s ongoing pursuit of a championship ensures continued intrigue in seasons to come.
As NASCAR evaluates future championship formats and teams prepare for potential legal and structural changes during the offseason, the landscape of the sport could shift significantly before engines roar again next year. The events at Phoenix make clear that in NASCAR, champions are often decided by more than just winning—it’s about navigating the chaos better than anyone else on the track.
Time to make some room in that trophy case, @KyleLarsonRacin. 🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/r3vk8nLo1z
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 3, 2025
2025 NASCAR Champions! 🏆🍾 pic.twitter.com/lrC5uNkFEg
— Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) November 3, 2025
No denying @Blaney today!
The No. 12 wins at @phoenixraceway! pic.twitter.com/pTPfMajrRO
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 2, 2025
Proud of everyone at @SpireMotorsport and thankful for all the hard work that went into this season. Top-10 to close it out in the @Tide ride! pic.twitter.com/JfOrk8vOLZ
— Michael McDowell (@Mc_Driver) November 3, 2025
