The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season ended on November 2 with Kyle Larson celebrating his second career title. Larson finished third in the Phoenix finale, which was the highest among the Championship 4.
Denny Hamlin finished second in points, followed by Chase Briscoe and william Byron. Ryan Blaney won the season finale. Chevrolet won the Constructors title.
The season was also the first year of a new TV deal and a new charter agreement. Starting in 2026, the championship race leaves Phoenix for Homestead-miami Speedway, even though Phoenix will stay in the playoffs.
Bob Pockrass posted his rundown of the top five moments from this NASCAR Cup Series season via Fox Sports. Below is the breakdown of the NASCAR Cup Series’ 2025 season’s 5 unforgettable moments.
#5 “Too scared to make the call” shakes up the NASCAR Cup Series
In this NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire, Ty Gibbs fought hard against teammates Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell even though he was not in the playoffs. Around lap 110, Hamlin and Bell had faster cars and needed to move forward.
Gibbs did not give up the spot and raced them for several laps. Hamlin grew frustrated and eventually bumped Gibbs. Gibbs hit the outside wall, and his race ended.
Right after the contact, Hamlin asked over the radio if the team was “too scared” to give Gibbs orders.
#4. Blaney’s Daytona win keeps Bowman alive in the NASCAR Cup Series
The regular-season finale at Daytona turned into one of the biggest moments of the NASCAR Cup Series season. Ryan Blaney was 13th with two laps left in the coke Zero Sugar 400.
The 31-year-old caught a strong run in the high lane and pushed forward. At the line, Blaney won in a four-wide photo finish. Daniel Suárez finished second by 0.031 seconds and Justin Haley third by 0.036 seconds. Both Suárez and Haley needed a win to get into the playoffs.
Blaney’s win locked Alex Bowman into the final playoff spot. If any new winner had taken the race, Bowman would have missed the postseason.
#3. Tire calls decide the NASCAR Cup Series championship fight
The Phoenix title race came down to one caution and one choice. Denny Hamlin dominated the day, leading 208 of the 312 laps. with three laps left, a crash brought out a caution that destroyed his lead. During the final pit stops, Hamlin took four tires.
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