Overview
- A late caution from William Byron’s blown tire triggered overtime, and split pit calls — two scuffed tires for Kyle Larson versus four fresh for Denny Hamlin — flipped track position and decided the championship.
- Larson finished best among the Championship 4 without leading a lap, securing his second Cup crown in a Phoenix finale defined by tire falloff and restart dynamics.
- Hamlin led 208 of 319 laps and called the loss his most painful, saying he has a contract and plans to race next season but needs time before thinking about getting back in the car.
- NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell signaled the series will move away from the one‑race, winner‑takes‑all format and is studying alternatives that better reward season‑long performance.
- Season context sharpened format scrutiny as Larson topped the year in points with three wins while Hamlin had six victories, and veteran Kevin Harvick characterized Hamlin’s raw reaction as a normal post‑race low.