The NASCAR Cup Series season finale at Phoenix saw Ryan Blaney of Team Penske secure victory, while Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports captured his second series championship. This Rick Ware Racing NASCAR recap details the achievements from the final race, Cody Ware’s results, and highlights from a memorable conclusion to the season.
Blaney Triumphs at Phoenix as Larson Clinches the Championship
Ryan Blaney claimed his 17th career Cup Series win and his first at Phoenix Raceway, holding off Brad Keselowski by a slim margin of just 0.097 seconds. Blaney’s performance also delivered Ford its seventh win of the season and marked the manufacturer’s 748th NASCAR Cup Series victory. Throughout the 2025 season, other Ford drivers like Josh Berry, Austin Cindric, and Joey Logano also contributed wins, with Logano securing two recent Phoenix victories. This year, Ford added its 21st Phoenix win to its legacy, continuing a strong tradition that includes early triumphs by NASCAR Hall of Famers Alan Kulwicki and Bill Elliott.
Meanwhile, Kyle Larson captured the 2025 championship, adding a second Cup Series title to his record after also winning in 2021. Larson joins an elite group of only 18 drivers who have won multiple championships in the series, standing out among 36 total champions. William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports took Stage 1, and Denny Hamlin of Joe Gibbs Racing secured Stage 2, further showcasing the competitive landscape featuring drivers such as Chase Briscoe and Joey Logano.
Rick Ware Racing’s Performance and Insights from Cody Ware
For Rick Ware Racing, Cody Ware started 33rd and finished 30th, completing all 319 laps. Ware concluded the season 36th in points with a total of 233. Reflecting on the race and the season’s end, Cody Ware noted the relatively smooth experience at Phoenix, setting sights on improvement for the upcoming year.
“Definitely not the day we wanted but, all things considered, it wasn’t a chaotic day either. It was relatively smooth and clean. Mainly looking forward to learning and building over the offseason to get ready for 2026.”
– Cody Ware, driver of the No. 51 Mighty Fire Breaker Ford Mustang Dark Horse
Additional Race Highlights and Season Statistics
The season finale featured nine caution periods covering 65 laps, with most of the field—31 of 38 drivers—completing the race on the lead lap. Teams like Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, and manufacturers Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota all factored prominently in the competition. Notable victories throughout the season went to drivers including Josh Berry, Austin Cindric, and Joey Logano, each contributing to Ford’s achievements across varied tracks such as Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Nashville Superspeedway, Daytona International Speedway, and New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon.
What to Expect in the Upcoming Season
The NASCAR Cup Series will launch its 2026 season with the Cook-Out Clash, a non-points event at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on February 1. Soon after, the 68th Daytona 500 will officially open the points season on February 15 at the famed Daytona International Speedway in Florida. Both events are set for live coverage on FOX and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, keeping fans and teams tuned in as preparations for another year of racing begin.
This season’s finale not only cemented Ryan Blaney’s victory and Kyle Larson’s championship legacy but also provided valuable experience for teams like Rick Ware Racing. As the offseason begins, the focus remains on growth, strategic improvements, and another competitive run when the green flag drops for 2026.
