On November 2, 2025, Kyle Larson won his second NASCAR Cup championship with his team’s Chevy-powered number five Hendrick Motorsports car. 

Going into the race at the Phoenix Raceway, the championship four were Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Kyle Larson, and Chase Briscoe. Denny Hamlin was the title favorite and even started on pole position. Byrson started 2nd, Larson started 3rd, and Briscoe started 12th. 

For the majority of the race, Larson was in the top six and ran behind Hamlin, who led a majority of the race. Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Byron, had a tire go flat towards the end of the race, which brought out a yellow flag (which slows the cars down and brings the cars closer together) with just three laps remaining. 

Larson and his Hendrick team were faced with another important pit stop decision; his team ended up calling for a risky two-tire pit stop that gained them track position from pit lane, but Larson was able to execute under the chancy tire conditions and take advantage of his track position. After the restart, he was able to finish third after flying along the outside lane, but most importantly, finished the highest out of the championship four and was able to secure his second NASCAR Cup Championship under this emotional race finish after not leading a single lap, but was able to win as a team through strategy and execution. 

This result was especially heartbreaking for the championship favorite, Denny Hamlin, who dominated much of the race.  He was also hungry to win, especially for his father, Dennis Hamlin, who is currently fighting a terminal illness. At the end of the race, Hamlin told reporters, “In this moment, I never want to race a car ever again.” He had vast hope throughout the race and throughout his playoff run that he was going to be the championship winner and was constantly encouraged by reporters and fans. 

Although Hamlin had a poetic championship story, ESPN reports that Larson also led the field in the regular championship points total. His talent is well noticed throughout his team and by NASCAR fans. The owner of Hendrick Motorsports, Rick Hendrick, once said the following about Larson, “I think when you put the talent and the desire together…. I do think he’s one of the greatest drivers that I’ve ever been with.” This has really been shown throughout his NASCAR career and especially during the 2025 season, where he has shown positive consistency and constant improvement throughout the season, ultimately earning his second championship and leading in regular-season points. 

While reflecting on the season finale, Larson told reporters, “Just unbelievable. What a year by this Hendrick Motorsports. Cliff Daniels, everybody, his leadership, his complete leadership, just showed that whole race. Keeping us all motivated. Always having a plan. All of that. That’s just the story of our season.” Hendrick Motorsports was consistently outstanding on the pit lane and, paired with great driving from Larson, allowed for the team to take advantage of moments, just like the incredible opportunity they were presented with at the end of the season finale, which ultimately crowned Larson as the 2025 NASCAR Cup Champion!