Larson NASCAR Champion: Snapped the Title from Hamlin in Epic Final

Kyle Larson Crowned NASCAR Champion in Dramatic Finale

AVONDALE, Arizona – Kyle Larson clinched his second NASCAR championship in a race full of unexpected twists that frustrated Denny Hamlin’s hopes. A heart-stopping finish at Phoenix Raceway, with a late caution, changed the course of the competition, leaving Hamlin heartbroken. Larson, aware that he could not catch Hamlin in the final laps without unexpected help, saw his opportunity with the appearance of the yellow flag just three laps from the end. Hamlin, who was leading the race and was about to secure his first title, saw his aspirations vanish.

Simply incredible. I can’t believe it.

Kyle Larson

Tension gripped the atmosphere when William Byron, another title contender, suffered a puncture that led him to crash into the wall, causing the yellow flag that changed everything. With the interruption, Hamlin opted to change all four tires, while Larson only changed two, giving him a crucial strategic advantage.

Kyle Larson celebrates with his children after securing the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship. It’s the second championship for Larson, who won his first title in 2021 when he joined Hendrick Motorsports.

Larson, starting from fifth position on the restart, managed to finish third, while Hamlin, after the tire change, finished sixth. Ryan Blaney, who was not in contention for the title, took the victory of the race. The champion, visibly shocked, commented: “We didn’t lead any laps and we won the championship. We had an average car at best and our right front tire blew, we lost a lap and the yellow flag saved us.”

I really don’t have much emotion right now. Just numb from the shock. We were 40 seconds away from a championship. This sport can drive you absolutely crazy because sometimes speed, talent, none of that matters.

Denny Hamlin

For Hamlin, this was the sixth time a title has slipped away in his 20-year career. Despite leading 208 of the 319 laps and starting from the pole position, luck was not on his side.

It’s the sixth time a NASCAR championship has slipped away from Denny Hamlin in his 20-year career with Joe Gibbs Racing. He led 208 of the 319 laps and started from the pole position. “I couldn’t do anything different,” Hamlin said.Hamlin admitted that his crew chief Chris Gayle’s team made the right decision by putting on four new tires, but that the strategy of other drivers, who only changed two, created a gap too big to close in such a short time. Regarding Larson, this victory ends a winless streak that extended to 24 consecutive races, marking an unexpected turn in his season. Meanwhile, Chase Briscoe, Hamlin’s teammate, finished in 18th position in his debut in the championship final. Byron, for his part, expressed his regret for the impact on Hamlin’s aspirations, despite the fact that his teammate at Hendrick Motorsports took the title.