Kyle Larson has secured his second NASCAR Cup Series championship. On Sunday at the Phoenix race, Larson strategically chose to put on two tires during the overtime restart, overtaking Denny Hamlin and finishing third, which clinched him the 2025 title.
Denny Hamlin seemed to have the championship secured with just three laps left, but a flat tire suffered by fellow contender William Byron brought out a caution flag and extended the race by an extra lap. Larson’s team, led by crew chief Cliff Daniels, also opted for two tires during the restart, unlike Hamlin who stayed with four tires after the previous restart.
Larson expressed disbelief at winning the championship despite not leading any laps throughout the race, citing a flat tire that made things worse and a caution that helped him stay in contention. He admitted to expecting less grip on two tires but got lucky with the timing of the caution and was able to navigate the restart effectively. Meanwhile, Hamlin struggled with traffic and finished sixth among the four title contenders.
Hamlin reflected on the weekend, acknowledging his preparation and the team’s efforts but accepting that things didn’t work out as hoped. Ryan Blaney won the race itself, while all four title contenders faced tire issues during the event. Larson lost a lap in the final stage due to a flat tire, and Briscoe experienced multiple tire problems before gaining track position late in the race. The final results placed Larson third, behind Blaney and Brad Keselowski, with Hamlin sixth, Briscoe 18th, and Byron finishing 33rd after the flat tire that forced overtime.
Hamlin, who was close to achieving his 61st career win and a significant milestone among Cup Series drivers, ended up facing heartbreak yet again in NASCAR’s playoff format. Despite winning six races this season—the most of any driver—Hamlin fell short as Larson claimed the championship. Byron and Briscoe each won three races during the season.
Regarding the playoff format, NASCAR is expected to revamp its current winner-take-all system after 2025. NASCAR Vice President Steve O’Donnell emphasized the goal of rewarding season-long success rather than a single race, reflecting on the unique nature of NASCAR fans compared to those of other sports. The current format, which has been in place since 2014 with some adjustments, may be replaced by a multi-race final round or a traditional points system, with changes anticipated to be announced late in the offseason.
Fan Take: This championship highlights the unpredictability and drama that make NASCAR thrilling for fans, but also underscores the complexities of the playoff format. The potential changes to the system could bring a fairer balance between season-long performance and race-day excitement, ensuring a more satisfying conclusion to future seasons.
