All eyes were on Denny Hamlin for most of the night at Phoenix. The veteran had dominated from the drop of the green flag: winning Stage 2, leading the most laps, and looking every bit like a man finally ready to erase years of heartbreak. With less than 20 laps to go, it seemed certain the 44-year-old would finally hoist his long-awaited championship trophy as he had a lead of over two seconds.

But then came the twist! A late caution, a bold pit call, and a familiar face slipping into the spotlight. As Kyle Larson celebrated an improbable second title, another former champion watched with quiet satisfaction, ready to offer a defense few expected. And no, not for himself, but for the very system that made nights like this possible.

Joey Logano’s stance on the playoff format

Joey Logano remains one of the most vocal supporters of NASCAR’s current playoff system, after Kyle Larson’s surprise championship win at Phoenix. “Thank you. Finally, somebody,” Logano responded to a reporter’s understanding of his stance, referencing the dramatic final stage and how quickly attitudes change when a driver celebrates a title. “Is that because Larson won and I didn’t? It seems like that matters. No I mean when there are four wide across the line in front of what else can people want? Right. Four heavyweight, you know, dogs of our sport that are racing for the win. You know what else could you want?”

Logano, who has mastered the playoff formats with his three championship wins, has actively defended the system. He understands that winning the Bill France Cup in the playoffs system doesn’t necessarily require a driver to be the fastest on the grid. Rather, it involves composure, adaptability, and timing – something that was on full display under the desert lights at Phoenix.

After the caution came out on Lap 309 due to William Byron’s flat tire, the race went into overtime. Larson and Hamlin both entered the pits. However, both had different strategies, which ultimately impacted the final result. Larson opted for two tires, whereas Hamlin took four. As a result, Hamlin restarted tenth despite being in the lead before pitting, while Larson restarted ahead of the JGR driver in fifth place.

Hamlin was unable to get back his position, eventually finishing sixth. On the other hand, Larson finished third, winning the 2025 championship by finishing highest amongst the Championship 4 contenders in Phoenix, while Hamlin again had his dreams crushed. “I’m sure they’re not complaining about it now – The format – as they sit there and celebrate,” Logano said of the Hendrick’s camp.

Larson had, in fact, voiced frustrations with the system in the past, ironically saying, “The format is really difficult, and when it comes down to just one race at the end, there’s an opportunity that it can happen. I think we could win 20 races in a year and still not win the championship…”

However, Logano didn’t hold back when it came to praising Kyle Larson and his team on winning the championship. “Kyle deserves. He’s a fantastic racer. You know, he’s does it a lot different than me. So it’s interesting to see how they do it. But they obviously have a great team. Hendrick Motorsports is stout, and Larson’s a great driver.”

For Logano, Kyle Larson’s comeback embodied what makes the playoff system thrilling: the high-stakes chaos that turns one small moment into a season-defining swing.

Team Penske’s Phoenix celebrations

Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney capped off a dominant season-ending performance for Team Penske at the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Although neither qualified for the Championship 4, both drivers made their mark on the final race weekend.

Blaney emerged victorious in the thrilling 319-lap overtime race, showcasing Team Penske’s short-track proficiency by holding off Brad Keselowski by a razor-thin 0.097 seconds. This win marked Blaney’s fourth of the season, a heartfelt redemption after missing the Championship 4 at Martinsville. “It’s just cool to end it on a good note. It’s just cool, and obviously, we had a fast car all day,” Blaney said about his win in a post-race interview.

Logano’s strong drive saw him finish fourth, further highlighting Penske’s strength on the one-mile oval. Starting 10th, he consistently battled near the front, narrowly missing out on a win after late-race cautions shook up the field. “We were a top-four car, right? We just couldn’t get up there. Every time we got some track position, we lost it on pit road. So we just got to go fast enough in that department,” Logano reflected.

Both drivers’ performances underlined the team’s depth and resilience, showcasing strategic excellence and skillful execution. It sent a powerful message that Team Penske remains a force to be reckoned with, already setting the stage for future championship pursuits.