Denny denied, Larson locks up second NASCAR championship

by Andrew Gorton

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season came to an end this weekend with Kyle Larson securing his second championship for the No. 5 Chevrolet Team.

Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after finish first of the NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 drivers to win the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 02, 2025 in Avondale, Arizona.

Larson, having not won since May, took advantage of a late-race caution when his teammate William Byron blew a tire.

“Did anyone in here think we had a shot? Cliff (Daniels) was saying we weren’t dead, but we were pretty close,” said Larson.

The caution caused most of the lead-lap cars to pit, including race leader Denny Hamlin.

Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, leads the field to the green flag to start the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 02, 2025 in Avondale, Arizona.

Hamlin was clearly the best car on Sunday, leading over 200 laps while stretching out a three-second lead at the time of the last caution.

Ultimately, the race was decided on pit road when Hamlin and the No. 11 Toyota team opted for four tires, forcing them to restart in the 10th position.

Larson and the No. 5 team gambled on just two tires, gaining valuable track position up to a 5th place restart.

Crew chief Cliff Daniels (L) Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, celebrate in victory lane after finish first of the NASCAR Cup Series Championship 4 drivers to win the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 02, 2025 in Avondale, Arizona.

Despite a spirited effort by Hamlin, the two-tire call claimed the championship for Larson as he finished 3rd place ahead of Hamlin in 6th.

“I really don’t have much emotion right now, just numb about it,” said Hamlin.

Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, reacts after the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 02, 2025 in Avondale, Arizona.

Ryan Blaney won the race itself, in a big “what could have been” moment since he just missed the Championship Four cutline last week.

Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Dutch Boy Ford, poses with Phoenix Raceway President Latasha Causey in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway on November 02, 2025 in Avondale, Arizona.

Meanwhile, Larson hoisted the championship trophy for the first time since 2021, but had Denny Hamlin and the No. 11 Team on his mind.

“Sure he is a competitor, but he is a friend and I was going to be happy for him to win. That’s kind of what I was thinking about, I can’t wait to tell him good job. Then the caution came out and the script flipped,” said Larson.

William Byron ended up finishing 33rd after his tire failure and Chase Briscoe finished 18th, a disappointing end to the season for both teams.

Hamlin along with the rest of the Championship Four will have to wait a few months to get back on track. NASCAR returns to North Carolina for the Clash at Bowman Gray on Sunday, February 1.