Overview
- President Steve O’Donnell said the sport intends to move away from the four-driver, winner‑takes‑all finale and is evaluating models that prioritize full‑season achievement.
- At Phoenix, a late caution from William Byron’s tire failure triggered overtime and split pit strategies, with Denny Hamlin taking four tires and Kyle Larson taking two.
- Larson did not lead a lap yet restarted fifth on two tires and finished best of the Championship 4 to clinch the 2025 crown, while Hamlin restarted ninth and fell short after leading 208 laps.
- Hamlin called the defeat the deepest of his career and said he plans to race in 2026 under his contract but needs time before focusing on getting back in the car.
- Reactions spanned the garage: Byron apologized for the late caution, Larson praised Hamlin as a deserving peer, and Richard Petty defended Hamlin’s pit call while saying the title system needs change.