It will be a battle of the titans at Phoenix Raceway, as two Hendrick Motorsports drivers and two Joe Gibbs Racing drivers advanced into the Championship 4.
Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe were already locked in via wins at Las Vegas and Talladega, leaving two spots up for grabs at Martinsville. Christopher Bell entered the race with a large margin over the cutline, but only one point between himself and Kyle Larson.
With one of the four drivers below the cutline likely to win, Bell had to out-score Larson, but he failed to do so. He ended the day seven points adrift of Larson as William Byron took the checkered flag, eliminating Bell from title contention.
Team Penske will not have a shot at a fourth consecutive championship as both Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano were eliminated. Hendrick also lost Chase Elliott, who finished third (right behind Blaney in second), but both needed to win.
At Phoenix, it’s simple for the four finalists, as whichever driver finishes highest will be crowned champion. In eight of the previous nine years with this format (excluding 2023), that has meant also winning the race.
Now, introducing the four drivers who will fight for the 2025 NASCAR Cup title at Phoenix:
Denny Hamlin — No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Photo by: Logan Riely / Getty Images
Best championship result: 2nd (2010)
2025 season stats: 6 wins; 14 top fives; 17 top tens; Average finish of 14.2
Driver notes: This will be Hamlin’s sixth appearance in the Championship 4 at he chases that elusive Cup title. He is the winningest driver in NASCAR history without a championship, and has over 700 starts since 2005. One of the most experienced and successful drivers in the field, the 44-year-old also has two wins at Phoenix.
Chase Briscoe — No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Photo by: Chris Graythen – Getty Images
Best championship result: 9th (2022)
2025 season stats: 3 wins; 15 top fives; 19 top tens; Average finish of 12.5
Driver notes: In his first year with JGR, Briscoe has been incredibly impressive. He’s clearly been the best qualifier, with a series-leading seven poles. He has never made the Championship 4 before, and the 30-year-old is the most inexperienced driver in this year’s title fight. However, while he only joined Cup in 2021, he is a winner at Phoenix, earning his first career win there in 2022.
William Byron — No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Photo by: David Jensen / Getty Images
Best championship result: 3rd (2023 and 2024)
2025 season stats: 3 wins; 11 top fives; 16 top tens; Average finish of 14.0
Driver notes: Byron has made the final four for the third consecutive year, and the two-time Daytona 500 winner is also a proven winner at Phoenix. He passed Blaney late in the running at Martinsville, and led over 300 laps on his way to capturing the checkered flag. His win knocked Bell out of title contention.
Kyle Larson — No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Photo by: Jordan Bank / Getty Images
Best championship result: 1st (2021)
2025 season stats: 3 wins; 14 top fives; 21 top tens; Average finish of 13.5
Driver notes: Larson will be one of two Hendrick Motorsports drivers in the final four. He is the only former champion in the final four, winning the 2021 finale at Phoenix on his way to claiming the title. This year, he enters Phoenix facing an unusual winless streak, that dates back to May before his Indy 500/Coke 600 double attempt.
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