The 2025 NASCAR Championship is here (almost)! And Phoenix Raceway? Well, it is buzzing with energy. One perfect desert afternoon to decide it all. At 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, the engines will roar to life under clear Arizona skies, setting the stage for an epic showdown. At a broader level, it’s Hendrick Motorsports versus Joe Gibbs Racing. Individually, it’s Kyle Larson versus Denny Hamlin versus William Byron versus Chase Briscoe—four drivers with four different storylines and a single goal to achieve.

But behind the spectacle, far from the cheers and the cameras, lies an intricate operation few ever see. Every call, every inspection, and every radio transmission flows through a web of coordination that keeps the championship weekend running flawlessly. And according to NASCAR insider Mike Forde, the logistics of pulling off Phoenix’s finale are a story in themselves.

NASCAR Championship weekend off-track arrangements

NASCAR Managing Director, Racing Communications Mike Forde, has disclosed that the officiating team for the 2025 Phoenix Championship weekend will closely mirror the large and experienced staff deployed at Martinsville, ensuring robust oversight. “So we will have pretty much the same staff we did at Martinsville, maybe different humans. But the amount of people I believe it’ll be pretty large, pretty much the same,” he revealed on the NASCAR Hauler Talk podcast.

Leading the off-site Race Control is Scott Miller, a seasoned NASCAR veteran who is serving as Senior Vice President of Competition and a former crew chief and competition director. “Scott Miller leads that team at the off-site Race Control, as we’ve talked about Scott Miller, SVP of competition and former crew chief competition director on the team side, so vast experience there,” Forde said.

Miller’s vast experience of over 20 years in NASCAR (40 years total in motorsports), including serving as crew chief and vice president of competition at both Richard Childress Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing, will be key to monitoring radio transmissions and coordinating officiating efforts from the off-site location, thereby enhancing race oversight.

Given his skills, experience, and work ethic, it was NASCAR veterans like Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton who recommended Miller for the SVP of competition post when NASCAR was looking to fill the position in 2015.

On-site, NASCAR will maintain its standard full slate of officials, including President Steve O’Donnell, who attends every race. The team will rely on familiar, well-practiced race control procedures to manage the complex NASCAR championship event.

From an inspection standpoint, pre-race checks will be comprehensive, utilizing multiple inspection stations to scrutinize all cars thoroughly.

The introduction of the Optical Scanning Station (OSS) at Phoenix enables precise measurements and enforcement. “We used to bring the cars to the R and D Center to do an inspection prior to Phoenix the week of. We no longer do that because the OSS does everything that we needed it to do,” Forde explained.

This scrutiny maintains consistent high standards, as illustrated by the 2024 playoffs when Alex Bowman was disqualified post-race for failing inspection, underscoring the strict consequences for non-compliance. Post-race inspections will include engine teardown, a critical step to verify compliance with engine specifications and prevent rule violations.

This level of detailed inspection demonstrates NASCAR’s commitment to fairness and integrity, ensuring no team gains an unfair advantage during the NASCAR championship-deciding event.

Top storylines at Phoenix

The stage is set for one of the biggest showdowns in NASCAR. The four contenders, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Chase Briscoe, are all gunning for glory, and each brings their own story to the desert. Hamlin’s chasing that first elusive title after years of heartbreak.

Briscoe’s trying to pull off a fairytale. Byron’s looking to cap off a season where he’s been lights-out up front, and Larson’s out to make history by snagging his second NASCAR championship with Hendrick Motorsports.

It’s not just about the drivers, though! As you are aware by this point, it’s Hendrick Motorsports versus Joe Gibbs Racing, a rivalry that’s as competitive as it is respectful and friendly. “I would prefer to go against somebody that’s not very good,” said JGR owner Joe Gibbs, referring to Hendrick’s strength.

Meanwhile, Jeff Gordon, vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, summed it up best: “You got four cars, two organizations, that are going to give it everything. It’s going to be (a) fascinating week of preparation, seeing how it unfolds at the racetrack in Phoenix.”

Hamlin enters as the favorite after flexing his speed in the Round of 8 at Las Vegas. However, as every NASCAR fan and driver knows, Phoenix’s tricky one-mile layout has a way of humbling even the best.

Briscoe’s been racking up poles and top-fives, and Byron’s led the most laps this year. Finally, Larson, though winless since spring, remains lethal when it counts, especially at Phoenix, where he claimed the 2021 title.

And there’s another twist! This could be the final run under NASCAR’s current playoff system, as the organization plans to overhaul it starting next year.

Throw in the possibility of a wild-card winner like Ryan Blaney or Joey Logano (previous winners at Phoenix and out of contention this year) stealing the spotlight, and you’ve got a finale that promises chaos, drama, and maybe even a bit of history.

So, as the sun sets over the Arizona desert and the engines roar one last time this season, everything comes down to 312 laps at Phoenix Raceway—four drivers, two powerhouse teams, and one NASCAR championship that could redefine careers. Who do you think will come out on top when the dust finally settles in the Valley?