Kyle Larson became the 2025 NASCAR champion with a strategic two-tire pit stop in the final moments at Phoenix Raceway, surpassing Denny Hamlin to secure a third-place race finish and clinch his second Cup Series title. The intense showdown marked Larson’s ascent as the third multi-title winner for Hendrick Motorsports and highlighted the depth of skill across the season’s leading drivers.
Decisive Strategy at Phoenix Raceway
The NASCAR Cup Series championship concluded in dramatic fashion on Sunday, as Larson’s team opted for two tires on the last pit stop, enabling him to jump ahead of key rivals. While Denny Hamlin dominated much of the race, leading 208 laps in the #11 car, a late caution shuffled the field for a high-stakes finish. Hamlin’s decision to take four tires placed him behind Larson and others who risked a faster stop with only two, reshaping the closing laps and ultimately the championship outcome.
Larson’s strategic move was the culmination of a competitive season. He was the foremost points scorer with 1,175 points and achieved an average playoff running position of 8.78. Over the year, he tied for the most top-five finishes – 15, alongside Chase Briscoe and Ryan Blaney – and matched Christopher Bell for 22 top-ten finishes. Larson was also tied at four for the most second-place finishes with Briscoe, Bell, and Hamlin.
Dominant Seasons for Larson and Hamlin
The 2025 NASCAR season saw both Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin emerging as consistent frontrunners. Larson claimed victories at Homestead-Miami, Bristol, and Kansas, while Hamlin notched six wins at raceways in Martinsville, Darlington, Michigan, Dover, World Wide Technology Raceway, and Las Vegas—leading the series in wins. Their rivalry for the championship was steadfast, with Hamlin tying Bell for the most podium finishes in the season at 12 and achieving the longest stretch of seven consecutive races led. Both he and Larson shared the longest top-five finish streak at four races, blazing a trail of competitive excellence heading into Phoenix.
In championship points, Larson captured his second Cup Series crown and finished in the top two for the third time. Hamlin, although ultimately runner-up, repeated a milestone he reached in 2010. The duel between the two epitomized the spirit of NASCAR’s highest tier, with each pushing the other throughout a memorable season.
Larson Honours Hamlin at NASCAR Awards Banquet
Two days following his championship victory, Kyle Larson used his speech at the NASCAR Awards banquet in Scottsdale, Arizona, to directly recognize Denny Hamlin’s dedication and character. The event, held to honor the top finishers across all three premier series and celebrate other distinctions such as Most Popular Driver and Rookie of the Year, provided a stage for Larson’s display of respect amid rivalry.
“Nobody in the sport works harder or expects more of themselves. Year after year, he raises the bar and pushes his competitors to be better. He holds himself to a true championship standard.”
– Kyle Larson, 2025 NASCAR champion
With Hamlin among the audience, Larson’s tribute underlined the intense emotional undertones present throughout the 2025 season, capturing the mutual respect at the heart of NASCAR competition. The acknowledgments at the banquet also highlighted drivers like Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, and Ryan Blaney, who factored prominently in top finishes throughout the season.
The Road Ahead for NASCAR’s Elite
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series finale solidified Kyle Larson’s place in the sport’s history books, while the close contest with Denny Hamlin set the stage for renewed rivalries in the coming years. Larson’s championship not only represented a personal milestone but also elevated Hendrick Motorsports as an organization capable of cementing driver legacies.
The Phoenix Raceway duel displayed how strategic choices, such as the pivotal two-tire call, can determine the championship, ensuring fans and drivers alike anticipate the unpredictable outcomes that define stock car racing. As NASCAR looks to next season, names like Larson, Hamlin, Bell, and Briscoe are poised to remain central figures, driving the ongoing narrative of competition and excellence.
Kyle Larson gave a shoutout to his competitor and friend Denny Hamlin in his championship speech. pic.twitter.com/kTrRPKX8ZC
— Motorsport (@Motorsport) November 5, 2025
