Honestly, if you bet against Kyle Larson in a championship scenario, you’re playing a dangerous game. By the time the dust settled at Phoenix Raceway on November 2, 2025, the nascar standings 2025 playoffs reflected a reality we’ve seen before, yet it felt entirely new. Larson didn't just win; he survived a season that saw the sport’s biggest veterans crumble and a new wave of road-course wizards nearly upend the entire bracket.
It was a wild year.
We saw Denny Hamlin come within three points—three measly points—of finally shaking that "best driver to never win a title" label. He finished second. Again. It’s the kind of heartbreak that makes you wonder if there’s some kind of cosmic hex on the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.
The Final 2025 Playoff Standings: The Numbers That Matter
When the checkered flag dropped at Phoenix, the official standings for the Championship 4 were tight. Larson took the title with 5,034 points. Denny Hamlin sat right behind him at 5,031. Chase Briscoe, who moved to Joe Gibbs Racing to replace Martin Truex Jr., proved the doubters wrong by finishing third in the standings with 5,019 points. William Byron, the regular-season points leader, rounded out the top four with 5,004.
Behind them, the rest of the top 10 featured some surprises. Christopher Bell ended up 5th. Ryan Blaney, the 2023 champ, took 6th. Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, and Ross Chastain filled out the remaining spots.
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Why the Round of 8 Was a Total Bloodbath
The real drama of the nascar standings 2025 playoffs didn't happen in the finale; it happened at Martinsville. Going into that elimination race, the tension was thick enough to cut with a spoiler. William Byron basically pulled off a "walk-off" win. He knew he had to win to get into the Championship 4, and he did exactly that, holding off Ryan Blaney in the closing 40 laps.
It was a brutal afternoon for Christopher Bell. He and Larson were essentially playing a high-speed game of chess for the final points spot. Larson eventually clinched it by a tiny seven-point margin. Bell was out. Blaney was out. Logano was out.
Earlier in that round, Denny Hamlin had secured his spot by winning at Las Vegas—his 60th career win, by the way. Chase Briscoe punched his ticket the following week at Talladega. If you missed that Talladega finish, you missed one of the craziest three-wide, four-rows-deep finishes in the history of the 2.66-mile track. Briscoe won by 0.145 seconds.
Surprise Performers and Rookie Realities
Let’s talk about Shane van Gisbergen. The guy is a monster on road courses, and he proved it by winning at the Charlotte Roval in the Round of 12. He didn't make the Championship 4, finishing 12th in the final standings, but he secured the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors. He’s officially a problem for the rest of the field now.
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Then there was the Austin Dillon situation. He made the playoffs after a chaotic win at Richmond, but he was eliminated in the very first round alongside Josh Berry, Alex Bowman, and SVG.
The Round-by-Round Breakdown
The path to the 2025 title was a grind.
- Round of 16: Chase Briscoe started things off with a win at Darlington. Hamlin won at Gateway. Bell won at Bristol.
- Round of 12: This is where things got weird. Blaney won at New Hampshire, Chase Elliott took Kansas, and SVG dominated the Roval.
- Round of 8: Hamlin (Vegas), Briscoe (Talladega), and Byron (Martinsville) took the wins, leaving Larson to slide in on points.
What This Means for 2026
If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that the "old guard" is changing, but the elite talent remains at the top. Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing dominated the nascar standings 2025 playoffs, accounting for all four championship spots.
But look at the names just outside that circle. Bubba Wallace finished 11th. Ross Chastain was 10th. The gap is closing.
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For fans looking to stay ahead of the curve for the 2026 season, here are a few things to keep an eye on:
- Watch the Manufacturer Battle: Chevrolet took the manufacturers' championship in 2025, but Toyota’s new Camry body style showed massive speed on the intermediate tracks late in the year.
- SVG's Oval Progression: Now that Shane van Gisbergen has a full year of ovals under his belt, expect him to be a threat at more than just the street circuits.
- Denny’s Window: Hamlin isn't getting any younger. 2025 was arguably his best shot. Whether he can mentally reset after another three-point loss is the biggest question of the off-season.
The 2025 season is in the books, and Kyle Larson is the king of the hill for the second time. If you’re already looking toward the 2026 Daytona 500, make sure you're tracking the "Silly Season" moves—because as we saw with Briscoe’s move to JGR, a change of scenery can turn a mid-pack driver into a championship contender overnight.
Actionable Insights for NASCAR Fans:
- Review the Data: If you’re into fantasy racing, go back and look at the "Laps Led" stats from the 2025 playoffs. Larson and Hamlin were significantly ahead of the field, which usually predicts success for the following spring.
- Bookmark the 2026 Schedule: NASCAR is leaning harder into international and street races. Make sure you check the new dates for the Viva México 250, as it’s becoming a pivotal regular-season points grab.
- Gear Up: Championship merchandise for Larson is already hitting the Hendrick Motorsports store—grab it now before the 2026 liveries take over.