In one of the most dramatic finishes in NASCAR playoff history, Kyle Larson secured his second career Cup Series championship at Phoenix Rac...
In one of the most dramatic finishes in NASCAR playoff history, Kyle Larson secured his second career Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway, capitalizing on a late-race caution and an overtime restart to edge out rival Denny Hamlin.
While Ryan Blaney took the checkered flag to win the season finale race itself, the Championship 4 battle provided all the drama. Hamlin, driving for his first career title in his 20th Cup season, appeared dominant, leading a race-high 208 laps and holding a comfortable lead as the race neared its scheduled end. He was just three laps shy of victory when a yellow flag flew for a flat tire on fellow title contender William Byron's car.
The critical caution forced the leaders down pit road. Hamlin's team chose to take four fresh tires, a decision that proved costly as several other frontrunners, including Larson, opted for a faster two-tire change. This shuffled Hamlin back to 10th for the ensuing two-lap overtime shootout, while Larson restarted in fifth.
On the final restart, Larson masterfully navigated his way through the pack, managing to stay ahead of a surging Hamlin. Larson finished third in the race, which was enough to secure the championship trophy. Hamlin was left heartbroken, finishing sixth after the late-race twist of fate denied him the title yet again.
Larson’s title run was unconventional; he became the first driver in the elimination playoff era to win the championship without leading a single lap in the season finale. Following the race, a speechless Larson acknowledged his good fortune, while Hamlin described himself as "numb" and heartbroken after a near-perfect performance was undone by the final caution.
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