Larson NASCAR Champion 2025: Snaps Title from Hamlin in Epic Finale

Kyle Larson Crowned NASCAR Champion in a Dramatic Final

AVONDALE, Ariz. – Kyle Larson was crowned NASCAR’s two-time champion in an exciting final race held at Phoenix Raceway. The victory came after a dramatic final lap that left Denny Hamlin heartbroken. Larson, aware that he couldn’t catch Hamlin in the final laps without a yellow flag, received the help he needed. However, for Hamlin, the yellow flag meant the loss of the title he so longed for. The race, which was decided in overtime, saw William Byron, another title contender, suffer a flat tire and crash into the wall, causing the crucial yellow flag with three laps to go. Before this interruption, Hamlin seemed to have the championship secured.

Simply incredible. I can’t believe it.

Kyle Larson

After the yellow flag, Hamlin led the group towards the pits and opted to change all four tires on his Toyota, while Larson only changed two on his Chevrolet. This positioned Larson in fifth place and Hamlin in tenth for the two-lap restart. With little time to recover, Hamlin finished sixth, while Larson secured third place, enough to win the championship. Ryan Blaney, who was no longer in contention for the title, won the race. The second championship for Larson comes after his victory in 2021, his first year with Hendrick Motorsports.

While Larson celebrated, Hamlin remained motionless in his car for several seconds, visibly affected. The disappointment was palpable in the Joe Gibbs Racing team, with team members visibly moved. This is the sixth time Hamlin has seen a title slip away in his 20 years competing for Gibbs. Hamlin led 208 of the 319 laps and started from the pole position.

I couldn’t do anything different. I prepared myself as best as I could for the weekend and my team gave me a fantastic car. It just didn’t work. I was just praying that there wouldn’t be a yellow flag and we had one. What can you do? It just wasn’t meant to be.

Denny Hamlin

Hamlin, 44, has suffered several setbacks in championship finals, including bad luck and strategies that prevented him from winning in 2010, 2014, 2019, 2020, and 2021. This Sunday was his first opportunity in the final race in four seasons.

Hamlin’s teammate, Chase Briscoe, finished 18th in his championship final debut, while Byron, Larson’s teammate, finished 33rd. Byron regretted having hurt Hamlin’s chances.