The engines are still cold, the haulers are packed, and honestly, the garage area at Phoenix is finally quiet. But the noise? That hasn't stopped. If you're looking for the nascar results sunday's race, you probably already know that Kyle Larson walked away with the hardware, securing his second Cup Series title.
It was weird, though.
Usually, when you think of a champion, you think of a guy who dominated the day. Sunday wasn't that. Ryan Blaney actually took the checkered flag to win the race itself, but because of how the points shook out in this final dance, Larson’s third-place finish was enough to crown him. It’s one of those "only in NASCAR" moments that has fans arguing in every bar from Mooresville to Talladega.
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The Numbers Behind NASCAR Results Sunday's Race
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty because the box score doesn't tell the whole story. Denny Hamlin was basically the class of the field for 90% of the afternoon. He led a massive chunk of the 312 laps, and for a while there, it looked like the "Best Driver Without a Championship" label was finally going to be peeled off his back.
Then, the yellow came out.
With just three laps to go, a late caution bunched everyone up. It was the nightmare scenario for Hamlin and a gift from the racing gods for Larson. On the final restart, Larson—who, keep this in mind, hadn't led a single lap all day—managed to jump a couple of spots while Hamlin got mired in traffic.
Here is how the top of the board looked when the dust settled:
- Ryan Blaney (Race Winner)
- Brad Keselowski
- Kyle Larson (2025 Cup Series Champion)
- Joey Logano
- Denny Hamlin
The margin of victory for Blaney was a razor-thin 0.097 seconds. That is basically the blink of an eye. If you were watching the interval clocks, it was heart-attack material. Larson was about two car lengths back from the lead, but he didn't need the win. He just needed to be the best of the "Championship 4."
Why This Race Felt Different
There’s a lot of chatter about the "25-race losing streak" Larson was carrying into the finale. People like to point out that he wasn't exactly on a heater. But that’s the nature of the beast. He was consistent when it mattered, and his pit crew—Cliff Daniels and the boys—executed a stop under that final caution that probably won them the title.
The sport is changing, too. NASCAR just announced they are bringing back "The Chase" for 2026. This move is basically an admission that the current "one-race-takes-all" finale at Phoenix might be a bit too volatile. Fans have been screaming for a return to the 10-race playoff format where total points over the final stretch determine the king.
Sunday’s results were the "breaking point," according to some insiders. When you have a guy like Hamlin dominate the season and the finale, only to lose because of a late-race restart, it makes the purists a little salty.
A Quick Look at the 2026 Schedule Shakeup
If you're already looking past the nascar results sunday's race and toward next year, things are getting wild. The 2026 schedule is a total overhaul.
- Homestead-Miami is back: The championship finale is moving from Phoenix to Homestead on November 8, 2026. Drivers love this because Homestead has multiple grooves and actually allows for "real" racing compared to the aero-blocked mess Phoenix can sometimes become.
- The Clash at Bowman Gray: We’re going back to the roots on February 1. It’s going to be a 200-lap short-track brawl on a quarter-mile.
- New Venues: We’re seeing a street course at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego (June 21) and the return of Chicagoland.
What This Means for Your Favorite Driver
Honestly, if you're a Chase Elliott fan, you've got to be happy with a top-five run after starting way back in 27th. He showed the kind of grit that was missing for a lot of the summer. Meanwhile, the Toyota camp—specifically Joe Gibbs Racing—is probably still staring at the telemetry trying to figure out how they let this one slip away.
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Christopher Bell was another one who looked fast but just couldn't find the clean air late in the going. He ended up second in the overall season standings, just a handful of points behind Larson when you calculate it under the new (old) Chase format they're moving to.
The era of the "Game 7" moment might be fading, and we're heading back to a system that rewards the long haul.
Moving Forward From the Finale
If you're trying to make sense of where the sport goes from here, keep an eye on the technical alliances. RFK Racing (Brad Keselowski’s bunch) had a monster day, with Brad finishing second and Ryan Preece showing serious speed. They are becoming the "Best of the Fords" and might give Penske a run for their money in 2026.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the 2026 Calendar: Mark February 1st for the Clash at Bowman Gray. It’s going to be a locked-in must-watch.
- Follow the Crew Chief Moves: This is the "Silly Season" for the guys behind the wrenches. Several top teams are rumored to be swapping lead engineers this month.
- Watch the Chili Bowl: A lot of these guys, like Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson, are heading straight to the dirt in Tulsa. It’s the best way to see them race without the aero-dependency of the Cup cars.
The 2025 season is in the books. It was messy, it was controversial, and Kyle Larson is the champion. Whether you love the format or hate it, Sunday proved that in NASCAR, it’s never over until that final flag drops.