The NASCAR Cup Series championship race at Phoenix Raceway serves as the final event of the 2025 season, where four drivers compete in a 312-lap race to determine the champion. The contenders this year are Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, William Byron, and Kyle Larson, representing Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports. Each driver earned their spot in the Championship 4 through a combination of race wins, high placements, and accumulated playoff points over the course of the season, which began with the Daytona 500 earlier in the year.

Denny Hamlin, behind the wheel of the No. 11 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing, has recorded 6 wins and 14 top-5 finishes during the 2025 season. In the playoffs, he secured 2 wins and 3 pole positions. With 40 starts at Phoenix Raceway, Hamlin has achieved 2 wins and holds an average finish of 10.6 at the track. Outside of racing, he manages additional responsibilities, including team ownership, while maintaining a focus on his performance for the upcoming race.

Chase Briscoe, driving the No. 19 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing, has 3 wins and 15 top-5 finishes this season, with 2 of those wins occurring in the playoffs. This marks his third playoff appearance, during which he has adjusted to a new team dynamic. At Phoenix, Briscoe has competed in 9 races, earning a win in March 2022 and posting an average finish of 18.4. He has discussed maintaining a balance between personal priorities and professional goals during the championship event.

William Byron, in the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro for Hendrick Motorsports, has 3 wins and 11 top-5 finishes in 2025, including 1 win in the playoffs. As the regular-season points leader, he has participated in 7 playoff rounds. Over 15 starts at Phoenix, Byron has one win from March 2023 and an average finish of 10.8. He has reflected on the need for consistent team coordination and adaptability during high-pressure races like the championship.

Kyle Larson, piloting the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro for Hendrick Motorsports, is the only driver among the four with a previous Cup Series title, won in 2021. His 2025 stats show 3 wins and 14 top-5 finishes, though none of his victories came during the playoffs. Across 22 starts at Phoenix, he has 1 win and an average finish of 10.7. With 9 playoff appearances, Larson brings a wealth of experience to the race and has expressed trust in his team’s preparation despite qualifying for the Championship 4 through points rather than a playoff win.

The championship format awards the title to the highest-finishing driver among the four contenders in this race. This structure has prompted ongoing conversations within the racing community about possible adjustments, with some suggesting a return to a season-long points system and others proposing modifications to the current playoff setup. Additionally, starting next season, the finale will rotate among various tracks, moving away from the tradition of hosting it at a fixed location for multiple years. This change is intended to introduce diversity to the championship event by involving different venues across regions.

The race at Phoenix Raceway highlights a competition between two established teams, with Joe Gibbs Racing fielding Hamlin and Briscoe, and Hendrick Motorsports represented by Byron and Larson. Each driver has faced distinct challenges and achieved notable results throughout the 2025 season, leading to a lineup that reflects a broad range of performances. As preparations continue, attention centers on race-day execution, strategic decisions, and the ability to adapt to track conditions. The outcome of this event will name the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series champion, concluding a season of intense competition across numerous tracks and varying race formats.