Overview
- A late right‑front failure for William Byron brought out a caution and overtime at Phoenix, where Kyle Larson took two tires to gain track position and finished highest of the Championship 4 to clinch the title.
- Denny Hamlin led 208 laps and pitted for four tires, restarting ninth and failing to catch Larson despite controlling most of the race.
- Hamlin said "This cut is deep" and acknowledged he is not ready to think about a race car yet, though he reiterated he intends to return next season under his deal through 2027.
- Byron apologized to Hamlin for triggering the decisive caution, and Kevin Harvick urged against reading retirement into Hamlin’s comments, calling the reaction normal for such losses.
- The outcome refocused debate on tire wear and the one‑race, winner‑take‑all finale format, even as Larson received plaudits from peers and mentors for a deserving championship run.