Larson Claims NASCAR Cup Championship Amid Late Drama at Phoenix
Phoenix Raceway, AZ – Kyle Larson emerged as the unlikely champion of the NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday, snatching victory from Denny Hamlin in a dramatic finish at the Championship Race. Larson secured the title despite not leading a single lap throughout the event, capitalizing on a late caution caused by William Byron’s crash on lap 310.
Larson finished third in the race, trailing winners Ryan Blaney and Brad Keselowski, making him the highest finisher among the Championship 4 drivers, which included Hamlin and Byron. This victory marks Larson’s second Cup championship and the 15th for team owner Rick Hendrick.
Denny Hamlin dominated much of the race, leading for 207 laps and appearing on track to claim his first championship after 20 seasons. He had built nearly a three-second lead over Byron before the caution disrupted his momentum. Despite battling clutch issues and overcoming a flat left-rear tire during the race, Hamlin ultimately finished sixth.
“It’s the part that stinks,” Hamlin said regarding his near miss. “I did the best I could. The team brought a great championship car. Yeah, this is the part that stinks.”
The pivotal moment came during an overtime restart following Byron’s crash. Crew chief Cliff Daniels opted for a two-tire strategy for Larson, while Hamlin, who pitted from the lead for four fresh tires, found himself restarting 10th. This decision allowed Larson, lined up in the outside lane, to charge ahead and maintain a strategic advantage.
“I had an average car at best,” Larson remarked after the race. “We got saved by the caution. I was really hoping we were going to take two again… Just unbelievable. What a year by this Hendrick Motorsports team.”
Blaney’s victory, while notable, served as a bittersweet moment as he missed qualifying for the Championship 4. “It’s just cool to end it on a good note,” he stated, having secured his fourth win of the season.
Byron, despite his crash and a disappointing 33rd-place finish, expressed empathy for Hamlin. “I’m just super bummed that it was a caution, obviously. I hate it for Denny,” he commented.
The race featured nine cautions spanning 65 laps, underscoring the challenges drivers faced throughout the event. Logano, Busch, and Hamlin rounded out the top five placements.
With this victory, Blaney further solidified his competitive edge, leading for 20 laps and showing resilience despite earlier struggles in the season.
Final Results Top 10
- Ryan Blaney
- Brad Keselowski
- Kyle Larson
- Joey Logano
- Kyle Busch
- Denny Hamlin
- Josh Berry
- Michael McDowell
- Ryan Preece
- Chase Elliott
The outcome reaffirms the unpredictability of the NASCAR playoffs and the impact of strategic decision-making in high-stakes situations.
