Will probably be a battle of the titans at Phoenix Raceway, as two Hendrick Motorsports drivers and two Joe Gibbs Racing drivers superior into the Championship 4.
Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe had been already locked in through wins at Las Vegas and Talladega, leaving two spots up for grabs at Martinsville. Christopher Bell entered the race with a big margin over the cutline, however just one level between himself and Kyle Larson.
With one of many 4 drivers under the cutline prone to win, Bell needed to out-score Larson, however he failed to take action. He ended the day seven factors adrift of Larson as William Byron took the checkered flag, eliminating Bell from title rivalry.
Staff Penske is not going to have a shot at a fourth consecutive championship as each Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano had been eradicated. Hendrick additionally misplaced Chase Elliott, who completed third (proper behind Blaney in second), however each wanted to win.
At Phoenix, it is easy for the 4 finalists, as whichever driver finishes highest will likely be topped champion. In eight of the earlier 9 years with this format (excluding 2023), that has meant additionally profitable the race.
Now, introducing the 4 drivers who will battle for the 2025 NASCAR Cup title at Phoenix:
Denny Hamlin — No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Photograph by: Logan Riely / Getty Photographs
Greatest championship consequence: 2nd (2010)
2025 season stats: 6 wins; 14 high fives; 17 high tens; Common end of 13.6
Driver notes: This will likely be Hamlin’s sixth look within the Championship 4 at he chases that elusive Cup title. He’s the winningest driver in NASCAR historical past with no championship, and has over 700 begins since 2005. Some of the skilled and profitable drivers within the subject, the 44-year-old additionally has two wins at Phoenix.
Chase Briscoe — No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Photograph by: Chris Graythen – Getty Photographs
Greatest championship consequence: ninth (2022)
2025 season stats: 3 wins; 15 high fives; 19 high tens; Common end of 11.8
Driver notes: In his first yr with JGR, Briscoe has been extremely spectacular. He is clearly been the most effective qualifier, with a series-leading seven poles. He has by no means made the Championship 4 earlier than, and the 30-year-old is probably the most inexperienced driver on this yr’s title battle. Nevertheless, whereas he solely joined Cup in 2021, he’s a winner at Phoenix, incomes his first profession win there in 2022.
William Byron — No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Photograph by: David Jensen / Getty Photographs
Greatest championship consequence: third (2023 and 2024)
2025 season stats: 2 wins; 10 high fives; 15 high tens; Common end of 14.4
Driver notes: Byron has made the ultimate 4 for the third consecutive yr, and the two-time Daytona 500 winner can be a confirmed winner at Phoenix. He handed Blaney late within the working at Martinsville, and led over 300 laps on his strategy to capturing the checkered flag. His win knocked Bell out of title rivalry.
Kyle Larson — No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Photograph by: Jordan Financial institution / Getty Photographs
Greatest championship consequence: 1st (2021)
2025 season stats: 3 wins; 13 high fives; 20 high tens; Common end of 13.7
Driver notes: Larson will likely be considered one of two Hendrick Motorsports drivers within the ultimate 4. He’s the one former champion within the ultimate 4, profitable the 2021 finale at Phoenix on his strategy to claiming the title. This yr, he enters Phoenix going through an uncommon winless streak, that dates again to Might earlier than his Indy 500/Coke 600 double try.Â
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