Larson NASCAR Champion for 2nd time, Denies Title to Hamlin in Epic Final

AVONDALE, Ariz. – Kyle Larson emerged as the two-time NASCAR champion after an exciting final at Phoenix Raceway, snatching the title from Denny Hamlin in a race full of unexpected twists. Larson’s victory was secured thanks to a late yellow flag that changed the course of the competition. Hamlin, who was leading the race and seemed headed for his first championship, saw his hopes vanish when William Byron suffered a puncture and crashed into the wall, causing the crucial yellow flag. Larson took advantage of the situation to get into an advantageous position.

Kyle Larson celebrates with his children after securing the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship. It is the second championship for Larson, who won his first title in 2021 when he joined Hendrick Motorsports.The teams’ strategy was key at the restart. Hamlin opted for four new tires, while Larson only changed two, which allowed him to gain positions. In the last two laps, Larson, from fifth position, managed to hold his place, while Hamlin, who fell to tenth, finished sixth.

Simply incredible. I can’t believe it.

Kyle Larson

The winning driver of the race, Ryan Blaney, expressed his empathy for Hamlin, acknowledging the team’s effort, although regretting that the victory was not for him. For Larson, this is his second championship, adding another milestone to his career after his victory in 2021. Hamlin, on the other hand, once again experienced the frustration of losing the title, this being the sixth time it has slipped away from him in his 20-year career.

It’s the sixth time a NASCAR championship has slipped away from Denny Hamlin in his 20 years of competing for Joe Gibbs Racing. He led 208 of the 319 laps and started from the pole. “I couldn’t have done anything different,” Hamlin said.Hamlin, who started from the pole and led most of the race, lamented the situation, highlighting that the team did everything possible to win. Hamlin’s teammate, Chase Briscoe, finished in 18th place, while Byron, Larson’s teammate, finished in 33rd place after his incident. Byron expressed his regret for ruining Hamlin’s chances.