Larson wins 2025 NASCAR Cup Series without leading any laps at Phoenix Raceway

Kyle Larson secured his second NASCAR Cup Series championship in unlikely fashion at Phoenix Raceway – without leading a single lap. A late caution flag caused by William Byron's accident completely altered a race that Denny Hamlin had authoritatively controlled, allowing Larson to capitalize on a risky strategy to deliver the 15th championship for Hendrick Motorsports.

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Hamlin Sees First Championship Slip Away in 20th Season

Ryan Blaney took the victory during the overtime restart, beating Brad Keselowski by 0.097 seconds for his fourth win of 2025. Hamlin had led 207 laps on seven different occasions and held a three-second lead, but finished sixth after a tire strategy call placed him tenth for the final restart.

William Byron Loses Control in Turn 3

William Byron lost control of his Chevrolet #24 when his right rear tire went down upon entering turn 3. The incident occurred on lap 310 of the scheduled 312 laps, triggering the caution flag that completely altered the outcome.

"I felt something weird that lap. When I braked to enter turn 3, the right side went down and I went straight into the wall," explained Byron, who immediately apologized to Hamlin for causing the caution that changed the result.

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Cliff Daniels Bets on Two Tires and Delivers Championship to Larson

Crew chief Cliff Daniels opted to change only the two right-side tires for the second consecutive time. Hamlin chose four new tires from the lead position, but the decision placed him tenth for the restart, five positions behind Larson.

"I was hoping we would take two tires again. I learned a lot on that previous restart, attacking turns 1 and 2 really hard," explained Larson about the decision that delivered him the championship.

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Hamlin Accumulates Five Championship Losses Under Playoff Format

Hamlin had overcome clutch problems and a flat tire that forced an extra pit stop after winning the second stage. Despite recovering and leading much of the final stage, he couldn't advance from the inside row on the decisive restart.

"I did the best I could. Everything I had prepared for happened today. We responded even after losing track position," commented Hamlin, who now has five championship losses under the elimination format implemented in 2014.

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Larson Expresses Disbelief Over Second Championship

"Honestly, I can't believe it. We didn't lead a single lap today. Somehow we won the championship. We had an average car at best," declared Larson after receiving the Bill France Cup.

Larson had lost a lap due to right front tire problems mid-race, but a caution flag allowed him to regain position through the wave-around rule. Chase Briscoe completed the Championship 4 in 18th position after multiple tire problems.

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Results - NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race

Phoenix Raceway - Avondale, Arizona - November 2, 2025