Custom Racing Suit
Get Started for FREE
Kyle Larson Claims NASCAR Cup in Overtime Thrill; Blaney Triumphs at Phoenix
LISTEN
0:00
0:00
Highlights
- Kyle Larson won second NASCAR Cup Series title at Phoenix Raceway
- Larson took two tires on final stop, gaining key track position
- Ryan Blaney won the race, beating Brad Keselowski in last corner
- Denny Hamlin led much of race, finished sixth and championship runner-up
- Championship contenders faced tire issues and mechanical problems during race
- Race ended in overtime with dramatic restarts and strategic pit calls
Kyle Larson clinches a second NASCAR Cup Series championship at Phoenix in overtime, sealing the title with third place after a bold, late strategic call.
He never leads a lap but benefits from track position, discipline on restarts, and a decisive two-tire stop that proves perfectly timed for a sprint finish.
Ryan Blaney wins the race with a last-corner move on Brad Keselowski, while Denny Hamlin, long the pace-setter, slips to sixth and ends championship runner-up.
Larson’s path is ragged but resilient. A right-front issue costs a lap, yet cautions and the wave-around restore his track position before the decisive stretch.
Larson clinches the title despite not leading a single lap, finishing third in overtime.
Larson secures the championship with a two-tire call that prioritizes track position over outright pace.
Hamlin controls large portions, but a four-tire final stop buries him in traffic. Persistent clutch concerns resurface, compounding the strategic setback late.
Blaney, eliminated from title contention one week earlier, becomes only the second non-contender to win this finale format, edging Keselowski at the flag.
William Byron challenges early, snatches the lead late in Stage 1, then suffers a late tire failure that triggers the pivotal reset before overtime.
Chase Briscoe’s title push is blunted by a right-rear puncture and damage. Both he and Larson endure lap losses from tire failures during the scramble.
Two tires versus four becomes the race’s fulcrum, with overtime neutralizing long-run tire advantage.
Bubba Wallace exits early with mechanical trouble. Across the field, slow pit stops and cautions repeatedly reorder the pack and magnify track position.
At Phoenix, clean air matters. Two tires offer launch and lane choice, while four tires need laps to pay off—time that overtime denies.
Blaney wins the race; Larson lifts the title—execution and timing trump outright dominance.
The finale underlines the format’s volatility. Strategy and composure under pressure decide outcomes as much as raw speed.
Team Penske’s late-season strength is clear. Hendrick’s operational sharpness and adaptability carry Larson to a second crown, setting a fierce tone for next year.
Visual Summary
5
🚗💨
🚗💨
WAVE-AROUND
UNBELIEVABLE!
⏱️
OVERTIME FINISH
OVERTIME FINISH
🥈
Blaney
1st
🏆
Larson
Champion
3rd
🥉
Hamlin
6th
🛞
“2-right tires” = Track position boost!
“2-right tires” = Track position boost!
💥
Tire chaos reshuffled it all
Tire chaos reshuffled it all
🌀
Wave-around put Larson back on lead lap
Wave-around put Larson back on lead lap
0️⃣
Laps led by Larson (still wins title!)
Laps led by Larson (still wins title!)
Strategy. Survival.
Larson climbs to a stunning 2nd title!
🔥
Larson climbs to a stunning 2nd title!
🔥
John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.
