Third in Phoenix, Kyle Larson wins his second NASCAR Cup Series title

After a day marred by numerous punctures, including one suffered by Larson with 97 laps to go, the driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet took advantage of a yellow flag three laps from the finish to put himself in a position to clinch his second title. While Denny Hamlin, who led 208 of the 319 laps, was in the lead and on track for his first title in twenty seasons, William Byron suffered a puncture entering Turn 3. The loss of the title for the driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet opened the door for his Hendrick teammate, who, like several other drivers, pitted for only two tires. Rejoining in sixth place, Larson found himself three positions ahead of Hamlin, who had opted for four new tires.

Unlike Corey Heim in Friday's Truck Series race, Denny Hamlin was unable to utilize his four new tires to overtake enough drivers in the final two laps. Having climbed back to sixth at the checkered flag, he could only watch as Kyle Larson secured the title, having made a perfect restart on the outside line and ultimately finishing third in a race won by Ryan Blaney (Team Penske), who overtook Brad Keselowski (RFK Racing) in the final corner.

All four title contenders were hampered by punctures, with Chase Briscoe (Joe Gibbs Racing) suffering two, and Denny Hamlin puncturing on the final lap of the second stage, causing a jack problem during his subsequent pit stop. Kyle Larson, crowned champion for the second time, joins Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon on the list of drivers to have won at least two titles for Rick Hendrick's team, and becomes the first driver in history to compete in the Indianapolis 500 in the same year and win the title in the same year. NASCAR Cup Series

"We did our best."Larson said after the race, speaking to NBC. “Honestly, I can’t believe it. We didn’t lead a single lap today. And yet, we won the championship! I’m speechless. I just can’t believe it. Our car was average at best. We had a puncture and lost a lap. We were saved by the yellow flag. When, at the end of the race, we only had two tires, I thought we were going to be at the back of the pack, but here we are!”

NASCAR – Phoenix
The classification of the race

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