A dramatic NASCAR Cup finale at Phoenix Raceway led to a wild time beyond regulation restart. Denny Hamlin had dominated the occasion, however he was deep within the pack after a four-tire name on the ultimate pit cease.
Title rival Kyle Larson opted for 2, and the observe place distinction was sufficient for the motive force of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, who captured his second his second NASCAR Cup title with a third-place end.
“We did one of the best job we might,” smiled Larson. “That is the bracelet Owen made me. Truthfully, I am unable to consider it. Like, we did not lead a lap as we speak. In some way received the championship.
“I imply, actually, I am simply speechless. I am unable to consider it. We had a mean automobile at greatest. We had the proper entrance go down, misplaced a lap. Obtained saved by the warning. Did the wave-around. Was actually dangerous that run. We took two tires. I used to be like, Oh, God, right here we go. We will go to the again now.
“It had much more grip than I anticipated. We bought fortunate with the ultimate warning. I used to be actually hoping we have been going to take two once more. I felt like I realized rather a lot on that restart, bombing one and two actually onerous. Thought I might do the identical factor if we bought one other one.
“Simply unbelievable. What a 12 months by this Hendrick Motorsports. Cliff Daniels, everyone, his management, his full management simply confirmed that complete race. Conserving us all motivated. All the time having a plan. All of that. That is simply the story of our season.”
Watch: Kyle Larson left speechless after incomes title No. 2
Once more, simply unbelievable. I can not consider it. That is insane.
Hamlin completed sixth, and can finish the 12 months because the championship runner-up. Chase Briscoe completed 18th, taking third within the remaining standings, and Byron shall be relegated to fourth after a late-race tire problem.
“Yeah, nothing I can do totally different,” stated a dejected Hamlin. “Ready nearly as good as I might coming into the weekend. My group gave me a improbable automobile. Simply did not work out. I used to be simply praying that no warning. Had one there.”
What are you able to do? Simply not meant to be.
Within the battle for the win, Ryan Blaney handed Brad Keselowski within the remaining nook to assert victory for Group Penske, becoming a member of Ross Chastain in 2023 as the one non-title contender to win the finale on this format. Blaney was eradicated from championship rivalry final race in Martinsville.
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Stage 1
Hamlin skipped away with the race lead early, however Byron remained inside hanging distance. Watching from the Hendrick pit field, Jeff Gordon bought animated as Byron briefly struggled to get round fellow Chevy Ty Dillon, who Byron was lapping.
As Hamlin encountered heavier site visitors, Byron made the cross for the result in his exterior, taking the lead with seven laps to go within the stage.
Blaney, who was additionally surging on the long term, snatched second away from Hamlin. Byron went on to win Stage 1 with Blaney second and Hamlin third. Larson was fifth and Briscoe tenth.
Stage 2
Hamlin began complaining a couple of lengthy clutch, a problem that has plagued the No. 11 group all through the 2025 season.
Blaney received the race off pit street, and Briscoe additionally gained a number of spots. Hamlin jumped again forward of Byron on the restart as the primary pure warning flew for a spinning John Hunter Nemechek.
On the next restart, Hamlin then handed Blaney for the lead, and instantly checked out by a number of seconds. Larson additionally bought round Byron for second on observe, however he merely could not maintain tempo with Hamlin.
Bubba Wallace abruptly slowed with a mechanical problem, rising pissed off on the radio as he limped his No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota again to the pits. Wallace entered the finale attempting to hold onto tenth within the championship standings.
The warning flew 47 laps into the stage for Shane van Gisbergen spinning, however abruptly, there was drama for one of many title hopefuls. Briscoe suffered a flat proper rear tire whereas working fifth. He additionally had a tire problem throughout follow on Friday.
Hamlin maintained the lead off pit street (and nonetheless speaking about clutch points), whereas Briscoe rejoined the sphere behind the lead lap automobiles. Sadly, he radioed that one thing was probably bent and struggled to maintain up with the remainder of the pack.
Kyle Busch needed to pit underneath inexperienced with a flat proper rear tire. Quickly after, AJ Allmendinger slammed the surface wall with a reduce tire. This was his backup automobile, as he additionally wrecked in follow as a result of a flat tire in the identical nook.
The No. 19 appeared to come back again to life round this factors, gaining plenty of floor on pit street earlier than Briscoe charged again inside the highest ten on the restart.
Hamlin needed to fend off a quick Blaney within the closing laps of the stage, however their battle was interrupted for a stage-ending warning. Ty Dillon reduce a tire and spun into the wall, simply a few laps after his brother Austin pitted with a flat right-side tire.
Hamlin received Stage 2 underneath warning, adopted by Blaney and Byron. Larson was fourth and Briscoe had labored his method again as much as seventh.
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Stage 3
Your complete complexion of the race on pit street. Hamlin radioed that he might have a tire down, leading to a slower cease that dropped him to eleventh on observe. Larson had a good worse cease as they struggled to get a wheel tight, falling again to 18th.
Byron snatched the lead away on the restart, adopted by Chastain. The Trackhouse driver light because the run progressed, and Briscoe muscled him out of the best way for second earlier than chasing after Byron for the highest spot.
Nevertheless, chaos unfolded quickly after as Larson reduce down a tire and pitted underneath inexperienced. Quickly after, the identical destiny befell Briscoe. Each title challengers fell a lap down because the warning flew for a blown tire by Hocevar as nicely, who truly hit the wall.
With many lead drivers selecting to pit, Elliott received the race off pit street, with Blaney instantly behind him. Byron and Hamlin have been set to line up on Row 2 side-by-side.
Elliott continued to steer as Hamlin stalked Byron. Again within the pack, Bowman pitted underneath inexperienced with a flat tire, adopted by Gragson.
Byron snatched the lead away from his teammate with 60 laps to go. Hamlin shortly handed Elliott as nicely, and proper earlier than the warning flew for a crash involving Austin Cindric.
Byron received the race off pit street, adopted by Elliott and Hamlin. Nevertheless, Elliott bought a rushing penalty, which put Hamlin on the entrance row with Byron.
On the restart, Byron doored Hamlin, however couldn’t cease him from taking the lead away.
The eighth warning of the race flew for JJ Yeley, who had a flat tire as nicely. Eager to protect a set, Larson and Briscoe each opted for two-tire calls, placing them out entrance for the restart.
The Championship 4 drivers have been now working 1-2-3-4 for a restart with 28 laps remaining. It was pure chaos as Hamlin went three-wide for lead, passing each Briscoe and Larson as they made contact.
Byron then managed to cross all of them, however Hamlin in the reduction of underneath him to seize the lead away. Hamlin drove off, and appeared set to win all of it earlier than yet one more warning.
This time, it was Byron, who slammed the wall with a reduce tire. Whereas Hamlin pitted for 4 contemporary tires, Larson opted for 2 proper sides. A trio of automobiles stayed out, and Hamlin was caught again in tenth.
Sadly for Hamlin, he couldn’t make up the misplaced floor as Blaney received the race and Larson secured the title.
Pictures from Phoenix – Race
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