Kyle Larson 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Champion

The big question heading into this final round of the season was whether the young and fiery Hendrick Motorsports drivers – 25-year-old Chase Elliott and 29-year-old Kyle Larson – or the experienced Joe Gibbs duo Racing – Denny Hamlin, 40, and Martin Truex, 41 – would have the advantage. 

The first segment, despite the victory of Martin Truex Jr., gives a slight advantage to Hendrick's Chevrolet Camaro, but it is obvious that the four finalists are on the pace.

Several incidents disrupted the second segment, including the crash of Rookie of the Year, Chase Briscoe, sent into the wall by Kyle Busch, tired of seeing the door closed. Each restart is an opportunity to hold your breath as you feel that a slight contact could sound the death knell for the hopes of one of the contenders.

A big hit for that 1️⃣4️⃣ machine of @ChaseBriscoe_14. pic.twitter.com/kMgkLd2kgs

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 7, 2021

Le deuxième segment est remporté par Larson devant Elliott, mais on retrouve immédiatement derrière eux Truex Jr. précédé par Hamlin. Une nouvelle fois les Chevrolet donnent le rythme face aux Toyota, mais si écart de performance il y a, il est vraiment minime car à aucun moment on n’a pu sentir pendant ces deux premières phases de course un avantage évident pour un des finalistes.

The four title contenders never left the entire race © Sean Gardner/Getty Images

The final sprint is launched by Larson who seems determined to take charge of this final. However, he will have to cede command to Chase Elliott, then his second place to Denny Hamlin. With 75 laps to go, it is impossible to name the future winner when rookie Anthony Alfredo honors his now sad and traditional encounter with the wall. Martin Truex Jr. then placed himself at the head of the race and took a small lead, a sign that he seemed to have found good adjustments during his last stop. A yellow flag 30 laps from the end sends the four contenders back to the pits for a final refueling which Larson's team strives to achieve to perfection to send its driver back into the lead while Truex Jr. loses very badly following a problem on the right rear wheel.

WHAT A STOP BY THE 5️⃣ TEAM! pic.twitter.com/x8U9BUabf9

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 7, 2021

Until the finish line Larson will endeavor to resist the return of the 2017 Champion's Toyota and hold back his attacks, but it was written that this title had to go to him. With 10 victories this season, a prestigious success at the All Star Race, the greatest number of Top 5s, the greatest number of Top 10s, the greatest number of pole positions and the greatest number of laps led, the Californian wins a title that we logically want to qualify as the first of the others as it seems to open a long and beautiful series.

Deliverance for Kyle Larson © Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Martin Truex Jr. finished for the third time in his career in second place and can only regret bad sequences in the pits which certainly cost him a second title. For Denny Hamlin, third finisher, he will have to come back stronger next season to perhaps finally win a first crown.

Kyle Larson 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Champion © Chris Graythen/Getty Images

With the first three drivers in the general classification in the first three places at the finish, this final round in Phoenix kept all its promises and closed an exceptional season. Looking forward to February 06, 2022 for the return to the track of these formidable drivers at the wheel of NextGen cars during the Clash, a non-championship race, contested in the sumptuous setting of the Los Angeles Coliseum.

Standings for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix: