Kyle Larson’s crowning as the Kyle Larson NASCAR champion 2025 has sparked intense debate, especially after he secured the title in a season finale dominated by Denny Hamlin. While the achievement is undeniably historic, fans and experts alike are questioning whether Larson truly deserves his second Cup Series championship, weighing his performance over key moments in NASCAR’s demanding season.
Arguments Supporting Larson’s 2025 Championship Status
Throughout the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, Kyle Larson consistently demonstrated his prowess on the track, emerging as one of the top competitors in the field. Securing three victories during the season set Larson apart from most of his rivals, as only four drivers achieved more wins, with Shane van Gisbergen possessing a notable edge due to extensive road course racing experience. Excluding van Gisbergen, only Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, and Ryan Blaney topped Larson’s win tally, underscoring his competitiveness even among NASCAR’s elite.
Past title contentions add perspective: in 1993, Rusty Wallace’s ten wins were not enough to surpass Dale Earnhardt’s six, with Earnhardt clinching the title. Similarly, in 1996, Jeff Gordon’s ten victories did not guarantee a championship over his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Terry Labonte, who won only twice. Larson’s three 2025 wins bolster his championship résumé, reinforcing that a title is not solely determined by win count but by overall season performance.
Larson’s dominance was further evident in the 1,106 laps he led this year, a figure surpassed only by William Byron, his teammate in both the Championship 4 and Hendrick Motorsports. Leading laps is a key indicator of control in races, and Larson’s ability to stay in front highlights his skill and tenacity.
Equally important was Larson’s consistency. He achieved 22 top-10 finishes and was tied for the most top-five results at 15, matching the best in the Cup Series for 2025. Such regular high finishes are hallmarks of a true contender, demonstrating the sustained excellence required to reach championship heights.
“2025 NASCAR Champions! 🏆🍾 pic.twitter.com/lrC5uNkFEg” — Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) November 3, 2025
Critics’ Case: Why Some Question Larson’s 2025 Title
Despite strong statistics and seasons past to support champions with fewer wins, one criticism lingers regarding Larson’s 2025 campaign—he failed to win in the last 24 races of the season. Most traditional sports require the champion to secure victory in the season’s final or playoff contests. In the NFL, MLB, NBA, and college sports, championship status hinges on winning in the final stretches. NASCAR, however, distinguishes itself with a system that favors both winning and overall consistency throughout the year.
Larson started the year strong, collecting all three of his wins in the opening third of the grueling 36-race schedule. After this early momentum, he did not return to Victory Lane for the remaining two-thirds of the season, including the crucial 10-race playoff. This made him the first champion since the adoption of NASCAR’s current playoff format in 2014 to finish the postseason without a single race win. Critics argue that this circumstance challenges the logic behind crowning a driver who did not win in the decisive phase of the championship.
The distinct nature of NASCAR’s championship criteria allows for a winner who leverages consistency, even when not topping podiums late in the season. While the system is designed to reward sustained excellence, the fact remains that other major sports would not bestow a title on an athlete or team that falters near the end.
“THE TIRE STRATEGY PAYS OFF!
KYLE LARSON IS THE 2025 NASCAR CUP SERIES CHAMPION! pic.twitter.com/O3eNtB7IrL” — NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 3, 2025
Assessing the Significance of the 2025 Title
Larson’s journey to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship will remain a topic of spirited discourse among competitors, fans, and analysts. Hendrick Motorsports once again finds itself at the center of championship debate, as the sport grapples with the balance between wins and consistency in its playoff format. The storyline echoes past champions like Dale Earnhardt, Terry Labonte, and Jeff Gordon, all drawn into discussions about what makes a worthy champion. Whether Larson’s performance aligns with the highest expectations, the facts remain — his statistics place him among the top drivers in the series, and his consistency kept him in the title fight until the end.
Looking ahead, the debate may influence NASCAR’s approach to awarding its top honor or inspire teams and drivers to rethink playoff strategies. For now, Kyle Larson’s achievement as the 2025 champion is etched in NASCAR history, offering both inspiration and controversy for years to come.
2025 NASCAR Champions! 🏆🍾 pic.twitter.com/lrC5uNkFEg
— Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) November 3, 2025
THE TIRE STRATEGY PAYS OFF!
KYLE LARSON IS THE 2025 NASCAR CUP SERIES CHAMPION! pic.twitter.com/O3eNtB7IrL
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 3, 2025
