Kyle Larson Secures Second NASCAR Championship at Phoenix Raceway
Phoenix, AZ — Kyle Larson has etched his name further into NASCAR history, claiming his second Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday. The victory solidifies his position within an elite group, joining multi-time champions such as Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart.
Larson, who drives the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, accomplished this feat in just five seasons with the team, where he has now tallied a total of 26 wins. His first championship came in 2021, a season that saw him secure 10 points races and the All-Star Race title.
Jeff Gordon, vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports and a four-time champion himself, expressed his pride in Larson’s achievements: “I have the utmost respect for his abilities behind the wheel… I always knew that if you can put him behind the wheel of a Hendrick Motorsports car, he’d do special things. Records and championships are made to be broken. As long as he’s on our team, I want him to win 10.”
Since joining Hendrick, Larson has been instrumental in securing 13 additional race victories, finishing seventh, second, and sixth in the championship standings during the subsequent three years.
Gordon highlighted the strong relationship he shares with Larson, stemming from their California roots and familiarity with sprint car racing. “We’ve built a good friendship. You motivate people in different ways. He motivates himself by looking at what’s the next goal,” he noted, providing insight into Larson’s mindset as he aims for additional championships.
Sunday’s championship marked the sixth occasion that Phoenix Raceway has hosted the NASCAR Cup Series finale, further cementing Hendrick Motorsports’ dominance, as the organization has won three of the six titles decided at this venue.
With Larson now a two-time champion, the motorsports community eagerly anticipates his next steps in pursuit of further accolades in the coming seasons.
