It was weird. Honestly, seeing Kyle Larson hold up the Bill France Cup at Phoenix Raceway felt like a glitch in the matrix if you actually watched the laps tick down. He didn't lead a single lap. Not one. Yet, when we look at the final NASCAR Cup Series results for the 2025 season, there he is at the top of the heap.
The desert has a funny way of playing favorites. While Ryan Blaney took the checkered flag—his 17th career win and a back-to-back statement at Phoenix—the championship trophy went home in a different trailer. Larson finished third. Because he was the highest-placing driver among the "Championship 4," he snagged his second title. It’s a bit of a head-scratcher for casual fans, but for the die-hards, it was a masterclass in "survive and advance" strategy.
Breaking Down the NASCAR Cup Series Results
You’ve got to feel for Denny Hamlin. Truly. The guy led over 200 laps. He looked like he was finally going to shake the "best to never win a title" label. Then, a late caution for J.J. Yeley hitting the wall flipped the script. Cliff Daniels, Larson’s crew chief, made a gutsy call for two tires.
Hamlin’s team went with four.
In the short term, that sounds like the smart play. Fresh rubber usually wins. But in the chaotic overtime restart, Hamlin got mired in the pack, restarting 10th while Larson surged into the top five. By the time the white flag waved, Hamlin was stuck in sixth, watching his championship dreams evaporate in the Arizona dust.
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The Final Standings: A Quick Look
If you're checking the record books, here is how the top of the board shook out after 36 grueling races. No tables here, just the raw numbers:
- Kyle Larson (Champion): 5,034 points, 3 wins, 22 top-10 finishes.
- Denny Hamlin: 5,031 points, 6 wins (most in the series), 18 top-10s.
- Chase Briscoe: 5,019 points, 3 wins, a breakout year for the Joe Gibbs Racing newcomer.
- William Byron: 5,004 points, 3 wins, and the Regular Season Champion.
It's kind of wild that Hamlin had double the wins of the champion but still came up three points short. That is the playoff system for you. It rewards the "hot hand" at the end of the year over the most consistent season-long performer.
The Shane van Gisbergen Factor
We have to talk about SVG. The Kiwi didn't just show up; he wrecked the curve. With five wins on the season—mostly on road courses and street circuits like Chicago and Sonoma—he proved that the "ringer" era is officially back. He finished 12th in the final standings, which is honestly incredible for a rookie transition year.
He’s the reason why some of the traditional powerhouses looked a little shaky on the twisties. When the NASCAR Cup Series results started rolling in from Watkins Glen and the Charlotte Roval, it was basically the SVG show. He’s forced the veterans to rethink how they approach braking zones. If you aren't gaining time in the corners, you're just a moving chicane for the #88.
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Surprises and Letdowns
Not everyone had a banner year.
- Kyle Busch: Zero wins. It's the first time in his career he's gone winless in back-to-back seasons if you count the struggles of '24 and '25. He finished 21st in points.
- Ryan Blaney: He won the finale but missed the Championship 4 by a hair at Martinsville. Talk about bittersweet. He finished 6th in the final standings.
- Brad Keselowski: He was right there. Second place in the final race. He almost played spoiler for the whole playoff field but ended up 20th in the final points tally because he was knocked out of the playoffs early.
Why These Results Matter for 2026
Right now, we are in the "Silly Season" lull before the 2026 Clash at Bowman Gray. But the 2025 results are already shaping the next narrative. NASCAR just announced they are returning to the 10-race Chase format to decide the champion. This is a massive shift. People are tired of the "one race takes all" finale at Phoenix where a guy can win a title without leading a lap.
The 2026 season is going to be about endurance again.
If you're looking at the betting lines or just trying to win your office pool, keep an eye on the manufacturer's battle. Chevrolet won the 2025 title, but Toyota looked faster in raw speed with Hamlin and Bell. Ford, despite Blaney's heroics, felt like they were playing catch-up on the intermediate tracks.
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Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to stay ahead of the curve before the Daytona 500 kicks off the next cycle, do these three things:
- Watch the Chili Bowl: Half the Cup field, including Larson and Ty Gibbs, are currently sliding around in the dirt in Oklahoma. It’s where they keep their reflexes sharp during the winter.
- Study the 2026 Schedule: It’s out now. Notice the international dates. The Mexico City race is going to be a massive points-shifter.
- Track the Crew Chief Changes: Cliff Daniels stayed with Larson, which makes them the favorites. But keep an eye on who is calling the shots for Christopher Bell; that team is overdue for a dominant run.
The 2025 season was a rollercoaster. It gave us a champion who mastered the system and a veteran in Hamlin who mastered the tracks but fell victim to a two-tire gamble.
Grab your gear. February is closer than it looks.