Kyle Larson Wins Second NASCAR Cup Championship After Overtime Victory at Phoenix

Kyle Larson won the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship in a dramatic finish at Phoenix Raceway, despite not leading a lap in the final race. Denny Hamlin, who dominated the race and was on the verge of his first championship, lost his lead due to a late-race caution caused by William Byron's tire failure, allowing Larson to take the title. Larson's strategic choice to take only two tires during the caution restart helped him gain positions, finishing third behind Ryan Blaney who won the race, while Hamlin finished sixth. This victory marked Larson's second Cup Series championship, joining the ranks of multi-time Hendrick Motorsports champions. Hamlin, despite a dominant performance and six wins in the season, expressed deep disappointment, acknowledging the unpredictability of the sport. The race underscored the drama and strategy inherent in NASCAR's playoff format, which may see changes in future seasons.