NASCAR News: Larson uses lucky break to win his 2nd Cup title
In a championship showdown defined by Goodyear tire carnage and split-second strategy, Kyle Larson outfoxed race leader Denny Hamlin in the final laps to claim his second NASCAR Cup Series title Sunday at Phoenix Raceway.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
With three laps remaining, Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron—running second—suffered a catastrophic left-rear tire failure, bunching the field and triggering a frantic final pit cycle. Larson opted for a two-tire stop, rejoining in fifth for the green-white-checkered restart.
Hamlin, firmly in control after leading 208 of 319 laps, gambled on four fresh tires and dropped to 11th. The bold call backfired; Larson surged ahead in the two-lap shootout to edge Hamlin at the stripe, securing the crown in a race won by Ryan Blaney, who nipped Brad Keselowski in the closing corner for his fourth victory of the season.
Hindsight underscores the razor-thin margins: Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing crew would undoubtedly revisit that four-tire decision, but the track’s tire woes left little room for error. All four Championship 4 contenders—Larson, Hamlin, Byron, and Chase Briscoe—grappled with failures that popped like champagne corks.
Hamlin dodged disaster when his left rear deflated under caution, preserving his lead without losing ground. The others weren’t so fortunate: Larson and Briscoe both limped a lap down under green after separate flats, while Byron’s late blowout relegated him to 33rd.
But the championship eluded Hamlin once again.
“Did the best I could,” Hamlin said. “Everything I really prepared for happened today. I felt like we responded. Even losing track position at one point, just battling back. Did really well on restarts. Hadn’t been good on restarts for the bulk of the year.
“Yeah, the team brought a great championship car. I felt like I drove it just right up until two laps to go. Yeah, this is the part that stinks…
“Golly, in this moment I never want to race a car ever again,” Hamlin said with a wry smile. “I mean, my fun meter is pegged.”
Briscoe showed flashes of fight, clawing back to third in the final stage before his second tire grenade—a lap after Larson’s front-right shred—sent him scrambling to the pits just before a caution for an unrelated incident. He salvaged 18th at the checkers.
For the 33-year-old Elk Grove, California native, the victory capped an 11th full-time Cup season of unrelenting grit, etching his name deeper among the sport’s immortals. Larson didn’t lead a single lap all day, crossing the line third, but his championship clinches the tiebreaker over Hamlin. It marks his second title—following 2021—and makes him just the third driver with multiple crowns in the elimination-style playoffs, joining future Hall of Famers Kyle Busch and Joey Logano.
Larson’s path to glory was a testament to resilience. After a shaky Round of 16, he ignited with commanding finishes and savvy racing, topping the Round of 8 points tally and locking his Championship 4 berth on points with a strong Martinsville run. The year also carried emotional weight: His dominant spring win at Bristol—leading 411 laps—was dedicated to longtime Hendrick communications director Jon Edwards, Larson’s PR confidant, who died days earlier.
“We had the right front go down (earlier), lost a lap,” Larson said. “Got saved by the caution. Did the wave-around. Was really bad that run. We took two tires. I was like, “Oh, God, here we go. We’re going to go to the back now.’
“It had a lot more grip than I anticipated. We got lucky with the final caution. I was really hoping we were going to take two again. I felt like I learned a lot on that restart, bombing (Turns) 1 and 2 really hard. Thought I could do the same thing if we got another one.
“Just unbelievable. What a year by this Hendrick Motorsports (team). Cliff Daniels, everybody, his leadership, his complete leadership just showed that whole race. Keeping us all motivated. Always having a plan. All of that. That’s just the story of our season.
“Again, just unbelievable. I cannot believe it. This is insane.”
This triumph extends Hendrick Motorsports’ dynasty to 15 Cup titles across five drivers in 31 seasons, while Chevrolet celebrates its 34th manufacturer championship in 2025. As confetti rained on Victory Lane, Larson reflected on a season of speed and steadiness that turned potential heartbreak into enduring legacy.
Byron, who finished 33rd after leading 52 laps and winning the first stage, expressed sympathy for Hamlin, even though the Lap 310 accident gave his teammate the chance to win the title.
“I’m just super bummed that it was a caution, obviously,” Byron said. “I hate that. Hate it for Denny. I hate it for the 11 team.
“I’m happy for Kyle, for Mr. Hendrick, they deserve it. Yeah, it stinks, right? I don’t know, three laps to go, I’m thinking, ‘Let me get to the end.’
“I felt something funny off of two, thought it might be a flat. I thought at the time if it’s left rear, you can kind of get back. It just went straight into (Turn) 3. Laid down on the right rear, went straight (into the wall). I hate that.”
Kyle Larson
Kyle, what an unbelievable restart. Was it the bracelet the kids gave you before the race?
KYLE LARSON: I guess. We did the best job we could. That’s the bracelet Owen made me. Honestly, I can’t believe it. Like, we didn’t lead a lap today. Somehow won the championship.
I mean, really, I’m just speechless. I can’t believe it. We had an average car at best. We had the right front go down, lost a lap. Got saved by the caution. Did the wave-around. Was really bad that run. We took two tires. I was like, Oh, God, here we go. We’re going to go to the back now.
It had a lot more grip than I anticipated. We got lucky with the final caution. I was really hoping we were going to take two again. I felt like I learned a lot on that restart, bombing one and two really hard. Thought I could do the same thing if we got another one.
Just unbelievable. What a year by this Hendrick Motorsports. Cliff Daniels, everybody, his leadership, his complete leadership just showed that whole race. Keeping us all motivated. Always having a plan. All of that. That’s just the story of our season.
Again, just unbelievable. I cannot believe it. This is insane.
Denny Hamlin
Denny, what’s going on inside?
DENNY HAMLIN: Yeah, nothing I can do different. Prepared as good as I could coming into the weekend. My team gave me a fantastic car. Just didn’t work out. I was just praying that no caution. Had one there.
What can you do? Just not meant to be.
You ran away from everybody. The car had speed. The caution came out. What went through your head?
DENNY HAMLIN: I thought still okay. We took four tires. I thought that definitely was the right call. Just so many cars took two there. Obviously put us back.
Team did a fantastic job. They prepared a championship car. Just didn’t happen.
Can you do this again?
DENNY HAMLIN: I’ll try. I got a couple more shots at it. Man, if you can’t win that one, I don’t know which one you can win.
2025 NASCAR Cup Series Phoenix Results
| Fin | Str | No. | Driver | Team | Laps Led | Laps | Status |
| 1 | 5 | 12 | Ryan Blaney | Menards/Dutch Boy Ford | 20 | 319 | Running |
| 2 | 19 | 6 | Brad Keselowski | Castrol Ford | 6 | 319 | Running |
| 3 | 3 | 5 | Kyle Larson (P) | HendrickCars.com Chevrolet | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 4 | 10 | 22 | Joey Logano | Shell Pennzoil Ford | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 5 | 11 | 8 | Kyle Busch | Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 6 | 1 | 11 | Denny Hamlin (P) | Progressive Toyota | 208 | 319 | Running |
| 7 | 7 | 21 | Josh Berry | Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 8 | 37 | 71 | Michael McDowell | Tide Chevrolet | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 9 | 21 | 60 | Ryan Preece | Fry’s/Celsius Ford | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 10 | 17 | 9 | Chase Elliott | NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet | 30 | 319 | Running |
| 11 | 20 | 20 | Christopher Bell | DEWALT/Interstate Batteries Toyota | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 12 | 9 | 17 | Chris Buescher | Body Guard Ford | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 13 | 13 | 1 | Ross Chastain | Busch Light Chevrolet | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 14 | 29 | 7 | Justin Haley | Gainbridge Chevrolet | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 15 | 8 | 48 | Alex Bowman | Ally Chevrolet | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 16 | 15 | 43 | Erik Jones | Dollar Tree Toyota | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 17 | 16 | 47 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | Real American Beer Chevrolet | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 18 | 12 | 19 | Chase Briscoe (P) | Bass Pro Shops Toyota | 3 | 319 | Running |
| 19 | 14 | 99 | Daniel Suarez | Trackhouse Chevrolet | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 20 | 26 | 3 | Austin Dillon | BPS/Winchester Waterfowl Chevrolet | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 21 | 25 | 54 | Ty Gibbs | Monster Energy Toyota | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 22 | 30 | 34 | * Todd Gilliland | Love’s Travel Stops Ford | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 23 | 32 | 35 | * Riley Herbst # | Monster Energy Zero Sugar Toyota | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 24 | 31 | 88 | Shane Van Gisbergen # | WeatherTech Chevrolet | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 25 | 27 | 41 | Cole Custer | Haas/Bonanza Ford | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 26 | 24 | 45 | * Tyler Reddick | The Beast Toyota | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 27 | 18 | 4 | * Noah Gragson | Long John Silver’s Ford | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 28 | 6 | 77 | Carson Hocevar | Delaware Life Chevrolet | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 29 | 22 | 38 | * Zane Smith | Aaron’s Rent To Own Ford | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 30 | 33 | 51 | Cody Ware | Mighty Fire Breaker Ford | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 31 | 28 | 42 | John Hunter Nemechek | Mobil 1 Toyota | 0 | 319 | Running |
| 32 | 35 | 44 | * JJ Yeley(i) | Fanatics Sportsbook Chevrolet | 0 | 317 | Running |
| 33 | 2 | 24 | William Byron (P) | Axalta Chevrolet | 52 | 317 | Running |
| 34 | 4 | 2 | Austin Cindric | Discount Tire Ford | 0 | 301 | Running |
| 35 | 34 | 10 | Ty Dillon | Alpine Partners Chevrolet | 0 | 296 | Running |
| 36 | 36 | 66 | * Casey Mears(i) | SI Yachts Ford | 0 | 284 | Running |
| 37 | 23 | 23 | * Bubba Wallace | McDonald’s Toyota | 0 | 165 | Brakes |
| 38 | 38 | 16 | AJ Allmendinger | Celsius Chevrolet | 0 | 146 | Accident |
Average Speed of Race Winner: 97.711 mph.
Time of Race: 3 Hrs, 15 Mins, 53 Secs. Margin of Victory: .097 Seconds.
Caution Flags: 9 for 65 laps.
Lead Changes: 16 among 6 drivers.
Lap Leaders: D. Hamlin (P) 1-52;W. Byron (P) 53-64;D. Hamlin (P) 65;R. Blaney 66-79;D. Hamlin (P) 80-188;R. Blaney 189-193;W. Byron (P) 194-221;D. Hamlin (P) 222;C. Elliott 223-252;W. Byron (P) 253-261;D. Hamlin (P) 262;W. Byron (P) 263-265;D. Hamlin (P) 266-281;C. Briscoe (P) 282-284;D. Hamlin (P) 285-312;B. Keselowski 313-318;R. Blaney 319.
Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): Denny Hamlin (P) 7 times for 208 laps; William Byron (P) 4 times for 52 laps; Chase Elliott 1 time for 30 laps; Ryan Blaney 3 times for 20 laps; Brad Keselowski 1 time for 6 laps; Chase Briscoe (P) 1 time for 3 laps.
Stage #1 Top Ten: 24,12,11,2,5,77,48,22,17,19
Stage #2 Top Ten: 11,12,24,5,20,1,19,22,77,9