US EditionA Late Caution Robs Hamlin of NASCAR Title in Probable Final Year of Championship Format
A late tire failure by William Byron caused a caution that disrupted Denny Hamlin's lead, enabling Kyle Larson to win the 2025 NASCAR championship without winning the race.
- On Sunday, William Byron's right-front tire failed at Phoenix Raceway, triggering a caution that allowed Kyle Larson to finish ahead of Denny Hamlin in a two-lap overtime sprint for the championship.
- Denny Hamlin entered the finale after a season that included a series-high six Cup races, started from the pole and led 208 laps this year before the late caution.
- Hamlin's team opted for four fresh tires while Kyle Larson took just two, and Larson's faster stop restarted him fifth and Hamlin 10th for the two-lap overtime shootout.
- Denny Hamlin appeared shell-shocked with his daughters sobbing and Joe Gibbs Racing crew demoralized, while William Byron apologized and Ryan Blaney showed little joy.
- The race intensified calls to change the winner-take-all championship format, as the final weekend likely marks its end with NASCAR leaning toward a four-race final push next season.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Associated Press News
A late caution robs Hamlin of NASCAR title in probable final year of championship format
Denny Hamlin has faced another heartbreaking loss in his pursuit of a NASCAR championship. On Sunday at Phoenix Raceway, he was leading with three laps to go when a caution caused by William Byron changed everything.
William Byron apologized to Denny Hamlin for costing him the championship
Oct 14, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver William Byron (24) during qualifying for the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports Denny Hamlin had what would have been his first ever NASCAR Cup Series Championship just barely slip through his fingers on Sunday, and William Byron apologized for the role he played in Hamlin coming up short. Hamlin and his No. 11 Toyota led m…
“I Don’t Want to Be That Guy”: William Byron Left Feeling Guilty After Tire Failure Costs Denny Hamlin a Championship
Denny Hamlin was within arm’s reach of his first NASCAR Cup Championship, with two decades of chasing his dream nearly materializing. But fate had other plans, and William Byron, unfortunately, had a role to play in it. Just as Hamlin was about to take the white flag, a yellow flag waved instead, triggered by a tire failure, courtesy of Byron, who hit the wall hard in Turns 3 and 4. That single caution erased Hamlin’s year-long fight once again.…
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