Kyle Larson captured his second NASCAR Cup Series title Sunday night at Phoenix Raceway, solidifying his reputation as a premier talent. The achievement was celebrated during the annual NASCAR Awards in Scottsdale, where Larson’s evolving legacy as a Kyle Larson NASCAR Cup champion took center stage alongside many milestones in the sport.
Larson’s Championship Run Marks a New Era
Fresh off his high-stakes victory at Phoenix Raceway, Kyle Larson and the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports team were lauded by Jeff Gordon, the Hendrick executive, and NASCAR Hall of Famer. With his win, Larson became just the third active full-time driver to amass multiple NASCAR Cup Series championships. This latest triumph adds to his impressive record of 32 series victories and signals potential for even more success down the road, reflecting the ambition of both Larson and Hendrick Motorsports.
Larson’s victory brings the 15th Cup Series title to Rick Hendrick, marking three decades since Gordon’s first championship. Gordon, reflecting on Larson’s talent and future, stated,
“I believe that records and championships, they’re made to be broken.”
He added,
“As long as he’s on our team, I want him to win 10 (championships).”
— Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports Executive and NASCAR Hall of Famer.
Steve Phelps, the NASCAR commissioner, introduced Larson as a
“Future first-ballot, NASCAR Hall of Famer,”
highlighting unanswered questions about his potential and how substantially he will surpass expectations — Steve Phelps, NASCAR Commissioner.
Champions Acknowledged at the NASCAR Awards
Tuesday evening in Scottsdale was a showcase of racing’s elite. Besides Larson’s well-earned spotlight, other standout drivers received honors. New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen, noted for his background as a multi-time Australian SuperCars champion, earned Sunoco Rookie of the Year after notching a rookie-record five road course victories and finishing 12th in his debut Cup season. Richard Childress Racing’s Jesse Love was recognized as the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion at just 20 years old, delivering a speech replete with gratitude and emotion for his family’s sacrifices.
“To my mom and my sister. I know what you have sacrificed for me to chase this dream,”
Love said.
“The trips you didn’t take, the things you gave up, the years of stress and uncertainty. And I want you to know, tonight, that this championship is yours, too. You both have carried me more times than you’ll ever realize.”
— Jesse Love, Xfinity Series Champion.
Love also paid tribute to his father, Duke, stating,
“My dad has been my coach, my best friend, my teammate, and my biggest believer.”
— Jesse Love, Xfinity Series Champion.
Connor Zilisch, a close friend of Love and a 19-year-old JR Motorsports driver, secured the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award in the Xfinity Series, emphasizing pride in his team’s record-setting accomplishments. Zilisch’s favorite win occurred at Pocono Raceway, largely because
“Dale (Earnhardt) Jr. was on the pit box. Pretty cool, his first win as a crew chief.”
— Connor Zilisch, Xfinity Series Driver.
Truck Series and More: Celebrating New Milestones
In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Tricon Garage’s Corey Heim was applauded for a historic season, capturing the series title and setting single-season records with 12 wins and leading at least one lap in each of the 25 races. His impressive run was made even more meaningful with personal acknowledgment of his father’s enduring support. Heim shared,
“Before I was with Toyota — before any of this — it was just me and my dad. My dad was my agent, my sponsor and my number one fan. I’ve raced hundreds of times in my life, and I can count on one hand how many races he’s missed. He’s been there for every high and low. Thank you, Dad, for your unconditional support and belief in me from day one.”
— Corey Heim, Truck Series Champion.
The Truck Series’ Sunoco Rookie of the Year was awarded to Gio Ruggiero after his breakthrough win at Talladega Superspeedway just weeks earlier. Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 19 Toyota also claimed the owner’s title in the Xfinity Series, while Chevrolet celebrated manufacturer championships in both the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series, and Toyota dominated the Truck Series category.
Popular Drivers, Emotional Moments, and a Legacy in the Making
Chase Elliott, star driver for Hendrick Motorsports, extended his streak by being voted NASCAR Cup Series Most Popular Driver for the eighth consecutive year. Justin Allgaier of JR Motorsports was crowned the Xfinity Series Most Popular Driver for a sixth time, while Spire Motorsports’ Rajah Caruth claimed the Truck Series Most Popular Driver title for the second year running.
The 33-year-old Larson, hailing from Elk Grove, California, now stands among the ranks of fellow Californian champions Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, both recognized NASCAR Hall of Famers. Larson, renowned for his versatility across various racing formats, especially excelled in the Cup Series this season, tallying three wins, leading the field in laps at 1,106, and tying Christopher Bell from Joe Gibbs Racing with 22 top-10 finishes.
During an emotional speech, Larson expressed deep appreciation for his wife, children, parents, sister, team, and friends, along with a poignant dedication to his late public relations manager, Jon Edwards. Reflecting on the triumph, Larson asserted,
“Our race on Sunday — winning the championship — really embodied everything about our season.”
He explained,
“All the challenges, all the hard work, the setbacks we faced, and the fight we put in … it all came together in that moment.”
— Kyle Larson, NASCAR Cup Series Champion.
“That win wasn’t just a finish line on a Sunday — it was a reflection of everything this team went through to get here.”
— Kyle Larson, NASCAR Cup Series Champion.
Reflecting on Rivalries and the Season’s Intense Climax
Larson’s path to securing the Cup championship involved besting close competitors Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe from Joe Gibbs Racing, as well as fellow Hendrick teammate William Byron, the regular-season points leader and a first-time Championship Four contender. Hamlin, despite leading more laps in the season finale than any driver, was caught in a late-race restart shuffle, ultimately unable to catch Larson for the crown.
Hamlin reflected on the emotional toll of coming up short, yet expressed pride in his own six-win season, which included his milestone 60th career win at Las Vegas during the playoffs.
“Really a proud moment for myself, my team, and my family, just a great day,”
Hamlin said, adding about his year,
“It was a good season, a great season, almost perfect.”
— Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Driver.
Awards Highlight Contributions On and Off the Track
Alongside the driver announcements, the event paid tribute to figures whose contributions reach far beyond racing. Longtime broadcaster Mike Joy received the Myers Brothers Award, voted by the National Motorsports Press Association members in recognition of his significant impact on the sport. Alabama’s Kate O’Neal earned the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award for her work establishing Care Closets, a nonprofit aiding more than 11,000 public school children with essential needs.
NASCAR Xfinity Series competitor Daniel Dye was named Comcast Community Champion of the Year for his persistent efforts in suicide prevention through his nonprofit Race to Stop Suicide, founded in 2018 when he was only in eighth grade. Dye reminded all present,
“If you have a platform to do something good and you don’t use it, that’s a wasted opportunity.”
— Daniel Dye, Xfinity Series Driver.
The Road Ahead: Impact and Anticipation for a New Season
As a two-time Kyle Larson NASCAR Cup champion, Larson’s journey continues to energize both Hendrick Motorsports and the greater NASCAR community. His ability to perform under pressure, coupled with unwavering family and team support, has rewritten expectations for what a modern stock car driver can achieve. With legends like Jeff Gordon cheering for ever-higher milestones, and young talents such as Shane van Gisbergen and Jesse Love signaling a vibrant future, NASCAR stands at an exhilarating crossroads.
The event concluded with a standing ovation, recognizing not just the season’s champions and honorees, but also the perseverance, teamwork, and community spirit at the heart of racing. The focus now turns to the 2026 NASCAR season and the highly anticipated Daytona 500, set to wave the green flag on February 15th.
