Under the chandeliers of the JW Marriott in Scottsdale, Kyle Larson and NASCAR’s best traded helmets for tuxedos, delivering speeches, laughs, and a few tears as the 2025 season came to an emotional close.
It was the strangest kind of joy. Kyle Larson won the Cup, Denny Hamlin lost his dream, and both men handled it like champions.
Connor Zilisch’s Saturday ended in heartbreak, but by Tuesday, he was already smiling — because that’s racing.
Denny Hamlin seems, somehow, at peace.
William Byron and Chase Briscoe came to Phoenix chasing glory—only to leave with nothing but what-ifs.
He wasn’t the fastest, flashiest, or even in the frame—then somehow won it all.
Blaney came to Phoenix without a shot at the title—so he took the checkered flag instead.
NASCAR giveth, NASCAR taketh away—and Sunday, it took from Hamlin.
