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

Kyle Larson Crowned NASCAR Champion in Dramatic Finale

AVONDALE, Arizona – Kyle Larson clinched the NASCAR championship victory, securing his second title in a thrilling race filled with unexpected twists at Phoenix Raceway. Luck was on Larson’s side, while Denny Hamlin, who was leading the competition, suffered a setback. The race, which was decided in overtime due to a late yellow flag, changed the course of the event. Hamlin, on the verge of getting his first title, saw his hopes dashed when a flat tire from William Byron caused the circuit interruption.

Simply incredible. I can’t believe it.

Kyle Larson

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.After the yellow flag, Hamlin chose to change all four tires, while Larson only changed two, giving him a strategic advantage. Larson, starting from fifth position, achieved a third-place finish on the restart, surpassing Hamlin, who finished sixth. Ryan Blaney, already out of the title contention, won the race.

You have to feel bad for that group and for Denny. Doing a good job all day, and it didn’t go as expected. But that’s racing. Sometimes it sucks.

Ryan Blaney

Larson, who hadn’t won a race since early May, expressed his astonishment at the victory, highlighting that his team had to overcome difficulties during the season. Hamlin, for his part, visibly affected, lamented the situation. He led 208 of the 319 laps and started from the pole position, but strategy and luck were not on his side.

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 praying there wouldn’t be a caution and we had one.

Denny Hamlin

It’s the sixth time a NASCAR championship has slipped away from Denny Hamlin in his 20 years competing for Joe Gibbs Racing. He led 208 of the 319 laps and started from the pole. “I couldn’t do anything different,” Hamlin said.William Byron, Larson’s teammate, felt sorry for ruining Hamlin’s chances, even though his Hendrick Motorsports teammate won the championship.