Kyle Larson pulled off a late-race upset with a two-tire stop on the final trip down pit road ahead of Sunday's overtime finish at Phoenix Raceway, gaining him the track position advantage he needed to claim his second NASCAR Cup Series championship. His third-place finish in the race was the highest of the championship finalists, and it upended what was a dominant weekend from Denny Hamlin, who lost out on the title again despite leading more than 200 laps in the title decider. Just a few laps before the final caution it looked as though Hamlin would carry a nearly two-second advantage to his first series championship, but a tire failure on William Byron's No. 24 brought out the caution, setting up an overtime finish with one final trip down pit road. In a race that was noted for tire issues, Hamlin opted for four while Larson's choice of two proved to be the season-defining move. Hamlin failed to navigate the several cars separating the championship contenders in the final laps, and Larson crossed the line first to take the season's top honors while Ryan Blaney captured the race win. It was an opportunistic move from the No. 5 that delivered one final twist to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season in addition to Larson's second championship.
With the 2025 season concluded, teams will begin to focus on preparations for 2026. With cars hitting the track in less than three months, there is a ton of work that
Kyle Larson pulled off a late-race upset with a two-tire stop on the final trip down pit road ahead of Sunday's overtime finish at Phoenix Raceway, gaining him the track position advantage he needed to claim his second NASCAR Cup Series championship. His third-place finish in the race was the highest of the championship finalists, and it upended what was a dominant weekend from Denny Hamlin, who lost out on the title again despite leading more than 200 laps in the title decider. Just a few laps before the final caution it looked as though Hamlin would carry a nearly two-second advantage to his first series championship, but a tire failure on William Byron's No. 24 brought out the caution, setting up an overtime finish with one final trip down pit road. In a race that was noted for tire issues, Hamlin opted for four while Larson's choice of two proved to be the season-defining move. Hamlin failed to navigate the several cars separating the championship contenders in the final laps, and Larson crossed the line first to take the season's top honors while Ryan Blaney captured the race win. It was an opportunistic move from the No. 5 that delivered one final twist to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season in addition to Larson's second championship.
With the 2025 season concluded, teams will begin to focus on preparations for 2026. With cars hitting the track in less than three months, there is a ton of work that needs to get done. The championship format could be set for a shake up, but hitting the ground running at Daytona will be everyone's primary focus. Race wins are always the goal, and the biggest race of them all is on offer to get the 2026 season started in mid-February. A win there changes a driver's career and could set the ball rolling on a potential championship run for one lucky driver in 2026.
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NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings After Phoenix
1. Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports No. 5
Last Week: 3
A gutsy two-tire call as the championship finale went into an overtime finish gave Larson the track position he needed to cross the line ahead of Denny Hamlin, and the rest of the championship contenders, earning his second series championship. Sunday's third-place finish in the race was Larson's third consecutive top-five at Phoenix and 15th of the season, tying Chase Briscoe and Ryan Blaney for most all year. Larson's 22 top-10 finishes also tied for most this season with Christopher Bell. Despite not winning a race since May, Larson turned in regular top-five finishes in the playoffs to advance to the finale, ultimately overcoming adversity in the race and making the last-moment strategy call that made the difference. Larson is a perennial favorite to come out on top whenever he is behind the wheel, and he delivered again at Phoenix to become a two-time series champion.
2. Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11
Last Week: 1
After being the first driver to claim a spot in the 2025 season finale, Hamlin appeared to have his long-awaited Cup Series firmly in hand during most of Sunday's race until a late caution upended everything. It was arguably Hamlin's best chance ever of grabbing the title after winning pole for the race, winning the second stage, and leading 208 of 319 laps. It wasn't meant to be, though. After stretching to a near two-second lead in the closing laps, William Byron's failed tire and contact with the wall forced the No. 11 into a tough choice for the overtime restart. In the end, they sacrificed track position for four tires, which was too much for Hamlin to overcome in the final two laps. While it may be another championship loss for Hamlin, he is still at the top of his game and among the best in the series, which could bode well for chances yet to come.
3. Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19
Last Week: 4
Briscoe may have entered Sunday's championship finale as the underdog, but his run of finishes to get there were impressive. In his first season with Joe Gibbs Racing, Briscoe went from a two-time series race winner to a championship finalist with the most wins, top-fives, top-10s, pole positions, and laps led in any season in his career. By all accounts it was a fantastic year for the No. 19, and the superlative statistics bode well for what he and the team could achieve in the future. Briscoe's biggest challenge looking ahead to 2026 may be avoiding a hangover from such a successful year. However, being with an organization like Joe Gibbs Racing is all about delivering consistency from year to year, which gives the too-early expectation of Briscoe and the No. 19 team to have another deep playoff run with multiple races wins next season.
4. William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports No. 24
Last Week: 2
Byron attempted to take the momentum of his walk-off victory at Martinsville all the way to the championship win. That effort started with the No. 24 taking a front-row start and the day's first stage win, but Hamlin's No. 11 Toyota was faster throughout the race distance. As Byron pushed in the final miles, his tires couldn't stay under him and a failure with wall contact brought out the race's final caution, eliminating Byron from any triumph. Despite the disappointment, it was still a top season for him, though. Byron ended the year with three victories (including the Daytona 500), 11 top-fives, 16 top-10s, and 1,330 laps led. Those circuits out front were over 300 laps more than any other season total for him, too. Continuing that form in 2026 and beyond will offer more opportunities for race wins and potential championships in the future.
5. Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20
Last Week: 5
Despite not making it to the championship finale, Bell still had a season to be proud of. He set his season best tally for wins, and 2025 was also his best average finish through the year at 11.2. It was a very competitive season, and Bell finished best of the rest after the four title contenders. Not being one of the final four drivers will be felt as a disappointment, though. It was the second year in a row that Bell finished fifth in the championship, and his last championship four appearance was 2023. Bell and team expect to be racing for championships and not just playoff appearances. After starting the season strongly with three consecutive wins, it took until September for the team to truly find their form. The No. 20 ended the year with nine straight finishes of 11th or better but will need to find some small improvements in 2026 to take the step forward and become championship finalists again.
6. Ryan Blaney, Team Penske No. 12
Last Week: 6
Blaney started fifth at Phoenix and led 20 laps on his way to becoming just the second driver to win the championship finale while not being a final four contender. The win will feel like vindication for the No. 12 given how close they came to advancing the week prior at Martinsville, too. While Blaney wasn't able to race for the championship on Sunday, he and the team can still say their 2025 season was a successful one. Blaney delivered career highs for wins, top-fives, and laps led in a single season. Were it not for just one spot at Martinsville, the No. 12 might be celebrating their second title, too. While Team Penske came up short of the final, Blaney and team continue to be one of the most consistent top finishers, and they will be hungry to get back on track at Daytona again in 2026 as they continue the hunt for their first Daytona 500 victory.
7. Joey Logano, Team Penske No. 22
Last Week: 8
Much of Logano's 2025 season was spent trying to capitalize on the car's speed but never really getting it. After finally winning his way into the playoffs at Texas in May, it wasn't until even later in the year that the No. 22 started finding consistent top finishes. Logano scored six top-10 finishes in the 10 playoff races, including a fourth-place finish Sunday at Phoenix. Perhaps an earlier start to that success would have given the No. 22 the bit they were missing to earn a spot in the final. The turnaround at the end of the year demonstrates the team's caliber, though. This is a championship-quality team that might have achieved even more in 2025 had their luck been better. The No. 22's consistency to finish the season is a positive sign, though. Logano and company are likely to return to the track at Daytona in February among the favorites to win, which would be a perfect start to 2026.
8. Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports No. 9
Last Week: 8
The 2025 season was one of progress for Elliott and the No. 9 team. It was the first year Elliott scored multiple race wins since 2022, which was his last championship four appearance. For much of the year, Elliott could have been considered the most consistent driver after not missing finishing in the top 20 in any race until August. With that incredible consistency now in hand, the team must take a step up in laps led and races won. Consistent finishes are nice, but in order to improve their season results, Elliott and team need to spend more laps out front and visit Victory Lane more frequently. Steady progress is evident and it should be expected that 2026 will be another step forward for the No. 9. The squad has only across the garage to look for inspiration with Larson a champion again.
9. Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing No. 45
Last Week: 9
Reddick's 2025 season ended frustratingly with a 26th-place finish at Phoenix. It was the team's worst race finish since August and caps off a season of underachievement. The 2025 season saw Reddick's lowest number of top-five and top-10 finishes since 2021, which was also the last season he failed to win a race. Despite making the playoffs on points, it feels like 2025 was a step backward for the No. 45 team. With the winter to focus on important off-track concerns for both Reddick and 23XI Racing, resolution to those things could unlock some progress next year. There is no doubt that the team's legal fight against NASCAR and Reddick's familial health concerns have exacted a toll. Getting beyond those distractions next season will enable some additional focus to be dedicated to on-track performance.
10. Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing No. 1
Last Week: N/A
Chastain started and finished 13th in Sunday's championship finale, which was enough to earn him the 10th spot in the season standings. It was Chastain's fourth consecutive season with a race win and, unlike last year, this year the win came in time to put him among the playoff drivers. In many ways it was a return to form for the No. 1 team, but it still failed to live up to the high of 2022 when they were part of the championship finale and finished second in the series. The bar is set at a championship for this team and nothing less will be viewed as a success. So, while 2025 was an improvement for Chastain, it is still not enough. Next year the No. 1's goals will be multiple race wins, a spot in the championship finale, and potentially a first championship. They will need many things to go right to achieve that, and the work to make that a reality begins now.
Knocking on the Door
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing No. 23
Last Week: 10
Brake issues ended the 2025 season finale early for Wallace. It was his fourth finish of 15th or worse from the last five races and sixth from the last eight. That is a disappointing way to end what was largely an impressive year for him and the No. 23 team. Wallace matched his career-best top-five and top-10 finish totals in season and made it to Victory Lane for the first time since 2022. Maintaining that strength while adding a bit more consistency, especially toward the end of the season, could put Wallace in a better spot in the season standings. Wallace looked like a whole new driver as the 2025 playoffs approached, and that is the form he will be seeking to regain and maintain in 2026. Doing so could earn him continue his improvement and earn his best ever season in the series.
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing No. 88
Last Week: N/A
Sunday's 24th-place Phoenix finish looked much like Van Gisbergen's oval average through much of the 2025 season. It masks the improvement he put on display at the end of the season, though. With five road course wins, all the No. 88 team needs to advance deeper into the playoffs are better oval finishes. SVG delivered those after playoff elimination, though. Prior to the playoffs, his best oval finish was 14th at Charlotte. However, during the playoffs, he delivered three top-15s on ovals. That progress shows that Van Gisbergen is getting to know the discipline, which should enable him to turn heads next season if he keeps it up. With time to work on those skills in the simulator this winter, fans should expect an even more competitive season from the 2025 Cup Series Rookie of the Year on all tracks next season.
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports No. 48
Last Week: N/A
Perhaps the only thing materially missing from Bowman's 2025 season was a race win. Even without one, he earned a spot in the playoffs and led more laps than he had in any season since 2020. His 15th-place finish Sunday at Phoenix helped him end the year 13th in the standings, which was a step backward from last year, but it was still his fourth-best final standing in 11 seasons. In fact, 2025 started very well for the No. 48 team with five top-10 finishes from the first six races. Inconsistency plagued much of the rest of the year, though. Cleaning up those rough patches will be the goal for 2026, and Bowman can lean on his teammates to bridge the gap, too. With two championship finalists in the garage, the No. 48 should have plenty of feedback to leverage through the winter preparations.
