Ryan Blaney Phoenix NASCAR victory shocked fans and competitors alike on Sunday as he surged from behind to capture a win at the season finale in Phoenix, altering the expected outcome even though he was not a contender for the championship. His triumph, achieved in a dramatic overtime finish, left the motorsports community reeling and set a new precedent in NASCAR Cup Series history.
Blaney Defies Expectations with Overdue Triumph
The final championship race at Phoenix Raceway delivered an electrifying spectacle, particularly when Ryan Blaney emerged victorious despite not being in the running for the overall championship title. Blaney’s struggle with restarts had been a consistent hurdle throughout the day, but an unforeseen overtime opportunity presented itself, and he capitalized on it to take the checkered flag.
“It’s ironic we won it on a restart, because we were terrible on restarts all day,”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver
His win stands as a landmark, making Blaney the first non-championship contender in NASCAR Cup Series history to win the finale. The 2023 season had seen Ross Chastain bag the championship, but Blaney turned the tables in 2025, overcoming a tough rivalry with reigning champion Kyle Larson—a measure of personal redemption after previous setbacks.
“It’s nice to finally get in Victory Lane here after being so close for a number of years,”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver
“Those things kind of stick in your brain a little bit. We’ve had a shot to win at these certain places a handful of times, but we haven’t really been able to get the job done.”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver
Hamlin’s Disappointment and the Unforgiving Nature of Racing
Blaney’s memorable run was intensely competitive, with the likes of Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, and Kyle Busch chasing him down. Among them, Denny Hamlin—known for being the pole sitter as well as holding the unfortunate distinction of the longest-tenured driver without a championship—finished a dispiriting sixth despite leading 208 of 312 laps and claiming victory in Stage 2.
Blaney expressed deep empathy for Hamlin, speaking to the emotional rollercoaster that elite motorsport often brings.
“Yeah, you do have to feel for that group and Denny,”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver
“Doing a good job all day, it not playing out for him. But that is racing. It sucks sometimes. They can hang their head about it, but they should be very proud about the effort they put in today. They had the fastest race car here. Just one of those things where it doesn’t work out.”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver
Key Figures and New Records Etched
For Hamlin, approaching his 45th birthday and eyeing retirement, this loss deepens the sense of urgency to capture a championship before his storied career concludes. Kyle Larson, meanwhile, commands headlines as a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, making his own mark as the first driver to secure the title without ever leading a lap in the 11 seasons since the introduction of elimination-format playoffs. Alongside them, drivers like Brad Keselowski continue to battle persistent winless streaks, while Joe Gibbs and Jesse Love remain at the heart of NASCAR’s ongoing narratives.
Anticipation Builds for the Daytona 500
As the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series wraps, all focus turns to the future, with the 68th Daytona 500 scheduled for February 15, 2026. The field wonders—can Ryan Blaney and his team use this landmark victory as a springboard for more wins, or will Denny Hamlin finally seize his long-awaited title? Against this backdrop, NASCAR’s relentless competitiveness and storylines promise fans another season of tension, triumphs, and emotional highs.
