Who won the NASCAR championship in 2025? Full results, highlights from the Cup Series title race at Phoenix

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• NASCAR championship results
• NASCAR championship highlights
• Where to watch 2025 NASCAR championship race

Denny Hamlin was three laps away from his first-career Cup Series title.

The Joe Gibbs Racing star was near-perfect in regulation, leading 208 laps on the day. He held a three-second advantage over his closest Championship 4 adversary and was all but assured to lift NASCAR's most prestigious trophy.

Then, chaos ensued.

Hamlin's chances at landing the trophy fell by the wayside after Hendrick Motorsports standout William Byron's tire burst. Kyle Larson slalomed beyond him with a two-tire pit stop, setting the stage for an overtime conquest for the 33-year old.

Larson, whose hopes for a championship appeared in jeopardy following a mid-race tire issue, held off Hamlin in the ensuing race restart to take home his second Cup Series crown.

Hamlin, 44, was left empty-handed for the seventh time in his Championship 4 career. The nature of Hamlin's defeat is certain to lead to plenty of speculation about the postseason format, which has drew plenty of rebuke over the years.

Nothing but absolute pain for Denny Hamlin. Pic.twitter.com/fcc25oGE2v

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) November 2, 2025

STREAM: Watch NASCAR Cup Series Championship with Fubo (free trial)

That doesn't matter to Larson, though, who added to his glimmering resume in style on Sunday afternoon. With more than 30 wins, four crown jewel victories – including the 2022 Daytona 500 — and, now two Cup Series titles to his name, Larson is undoubtedly one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history.

AllSportsPeople tracked updates from Sunday's race at Phoenix. Below are results, analysis and more from one of the most dramatic championship races in recent memory.

NASCAR at Phoenix results

(All results are unofficial)

NASCAR championship live updates, results, highlights from 2025 race

(All times Eastern)

6:52 p.m.:  Larson steals the gold! He wins his second-career Cup Series championship!

6:50 p.m.:  Hamlin has two laps to best Larson. We're back to green at Phoenix! Here we go!

6:49 p.m.:  Larson goes outside, while Hamlin goes in the inside lane.

6:47 p.m.:  Hamlin has four tires, which will grant him more control than his adversaries. Larson, meanwhile, went with the two-tire stop. No one else in the top-10 — Ryan Preece notwithstanding — went with four tires other than Hamlin. So, if he can find his lane, he should be able to get past Larson and lift the gold.

That's a big if, though. Larson sits five spots ahead of Hamlin.

6:46 p.m.:  Larson bests Hamlin in pit road! He'll have the advantage when the cars come around for the race restart!

6:40 p.m.: CAUTION!  Byron's tires go flat! Hamlin was in control of the field with five laps to go! We now head to overtime! Can the Joe Gibbs Racing star lock up his first-career title!

5:15 p.m.:  Hamlin is going strong at the top of the ladder. He holds the advantage – and the Cup Series title — over Byron, who sits in third. Larson is right behind him in fourth.

4:30 p.m.:  A collision incurs damage on Briscoe's chariot! It will be tough for the Joe Gibbs Racing star to overcome the odds and secure a Cup Series crown now.

4:00 p.m.:  Byron wrestles the lead away from Hamlin! He leads at the first stage comes to a close!

3:50 p.m.:  Hamlin and Byron are holding firm at the top of the pack through 40 laps. They're followed by Austin Cindric, with Larson lurking behind him. Briscoe remains in a distant ninth-place.

3:35 p.m.:  And we're off! The NASCAR title race is green! Hamlin, Byron, Larson and Briscoe will duke it out for glory in the Valley of the Sun!

2:20 p.m.:  While the Championship 4 remains the centerpiece of today's contest, there are a few other notable storylines, including the following: today's race is the final of Daniel Suarez's Trackhouse career. His team is honoring with a special decal on pit road.

In addition to paint scheme for today, pit road banner for Daniel Suarez thanking him for his time at Trackhouse. Pic.twitter.com/EnSqyF4ZAd

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 2, 2025

2:10 p.m.:  Denny Hamlin and William Byron lead the line from Phoenix to start Sunday's race! Kyle Larson sits in the second row, while Chase Briscoe is back at a distant 12th! We'll be up to green at 3:34 p.m.

Where to watch the NASCAR championship race

What channel is NASCAR on today?

• TV channel: NBC (U.S.) | TSN5 (Canada)
• Live stream: Peacock, Fubo
• Radio: MRN

Sunday's race will be broadcast on NBC in the United States. Canadian viewers can find the action on TSN5.

Veteran announcer Leigh Diffey will lead the race's lap-by-lap commentator. He'll be joined by former Cup Series star Jeff Burton, as well as former Daytona 500-winning crew chief Steve Letarte.

Cord-cutters can follow the action on Peacock, as well as with Fubo, which offers a free trial.

NASCAR start time today

• Date: Sunday, Nov. 2
• Time: 3 p.m. ET

The Cup Series Championship has a listed start time of 3 p.m. ET, but pre-race festivities are expected to push the waving of the green flag closer to 3:34 p.m. ET.

NASCAR championship starting lineup 2025

Leading the line for Sunday's Cup Series title race are Denny Hamlin and William Byron.

NASCAR championship results

(All results are unofficial)