Kyle Larson wins his second NASCAR Cup Series title
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Kyle Larson was well behind Denny Hamlin as the NASCAR Cup Series championship race came down to the final laps Sunday night at Phoenix Raceway, but fellow competitor William Byron brought out a caution when one of his tires blew.
Larson went to the pits to get some new tires and a quick stop allowed him to get a better position on the track, while Hamlin’s stop was slower and he fell from first to tenth. In overtime, with two laps remaining, Larson got a good jump and was able to hold off Hamlin to capture the second NASCAR Cup Series championship of his career.
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Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, celebrates a burnout after his pole position in the NASCAR Cup Series 4 Drivers’ Championship to win the NASCAR Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 2, 2025 in Avondale, Arizona. (Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Hamlin led 208 laps and was in front when the caution came out. He told NBC he was really hoping the caution flag didn’t come out in the final laps. Unfortunately, hopes were dashed.
He looked shocked when NBC cameras showed him sitting in his No. 11 Toyota. He won six races during the year, but failed to finish ahead of Larson to secure the first championship of his career.
Instead, it was Larsson who did enough to ultimately lift the trophy. He has taken three wins this year and maintained his qualifying wins to become one of the championship’s fourth drivers. He did not lead any laps in the championship race.
Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 2, 2025 in Avondale, Arizona. (Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Sydney Sweeney impresses racing fans with speech before the NASCAR championship race
Byron, who won the Martinsville race to reach the championship, finished 33rd. He led 52 laps and gave Hamlin the biggest run for his money for most of the race.
Briscoe finished 18th. He led three laps.
Ryan Blaney won the same race. He finished ahead of Brad Keselowski and Larson. Joey Logano and Kyle Busch rounded out the top five.
Larson becomes the third Hendrick Motorsports driver to win multiple NASCAR Cup Series titles, joining Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.
Denny Hamlin leads the field during the NASCAR Cup Series stock car race on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Avondale, Arizona. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
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Hamlin has 60 career wins, but has yet to win a Cup Series title.
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