NASCAR Power Rankings 2025: Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Chase Briscoe set for Phoenix championship showdown

Following William Byron's dominate win in the Round of 8 finale at the Martinsville Speedway, the Championship 4 for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series is officially set. This Sunday at the Phoenix Raceway it'll be Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, William Byron, and Kyle Larson who will be gunning for the 2025 Cup Series title.

Larson is seeking his second career Cup Series title, while the other three drivers are searching for their first. Who is the one to watch out for the most to win the title heading into Phoenix, and who might need some work on their competition? Let's take a look in this week's NASCAR Power Rankings.

4. Kyle Larson

NASCAR: NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race at Martinsville - Source: Imagn

For the third time in his NASCAR Cup Series career, Kyle Larson will compete for a NASCAR Cup Series title. The last time the driver of the #5 competed for a title was in 2023, when he finished runner-up to Ryan Blaney. On Sunday, the Hendrick Motorsports driver will aim to get one spot higher and capture the championship.

Larson has been to the pinnacle of NASCAR before having won the championship in 2021. This season, the 32-year-old was the fourth and final driver to make the Championship 4 by virtue of points. He has three victories in 2025, yet his latest one came at Kansas in May. It's been a while since Larson has been in victory lane, but now that he's made it to the Championship 4, don't doubt him to finish off the season with the title.

3. William Byron

NASCAR: NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race at Martinsville - Source: Imagn

It was a statement win for William Byron on Sunday at the Martinsville Speedway. The driver of the #24 started on the pole, won both stages, and led the most laps en route to victory, which clinched him a spot in the Championship 4 race for the third straight year. This time, however, the Hendrick Motorsports star looks to leave with his first championship.

Byron has won once at Phoenix before, which came in the spring of 2023. The two-time and defending Daytona 500 winner won the regular-season championship earlier this year after a strong first 26 races. He has three victories this season (Daytona, Iowa, Martinsville), and has posted an average finish of 14th. With great momentum following the dominant Martinsville win, expect Byron to be a threat to win his first championship.

2. Chase Briscoe

NASCAR: NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race at Martinsville - Source: Imagn

After a thrilling last-lap pass to win at Talladega two weeks ago, Chase Briscoe is set for his first Championship 4 appearance in the NASCAR Cup Series. The driver of the #19 is amid his first season with Joe Gibbs Racing, and will look to be the first driver since Kyle Larson in 2021 to win a championship in their first season with a new team.

Briscoe has totaled three victories this season (Pocono, Darlington, Talladega). Since that triumph at Pocono, Briscoe has been one of the fastest drivers in the field. He holds a series-high seven poles in 2025 and a series-high 15 top-fives. He's familiar with Phoenix as he picked up his first career Cup win there in 2022. In his first Championship 4 appearance, Briscoe will look to cap an impressive first outing at JGR with the 2025 title.

1. Denny Hamlin

NASCAR: NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race at Martinsville - Source: Imagn

The time has finally come to see whether or not this is finally the year for Denny Hamlin. Amid his 21st full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series, the driver of the #11 is still seeking his first Cup Series championship. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver punched his ticket to his fifth Championship 4 appearance with a victory at Las Vegas to open the Round of 8.

Hamlin has a series-high six victories in 2025. Earlier this year, the 44-year-old finished runner-up to JGR teammate Christopher Bell at Phoenix. His latest win at the track came in 2019. With 60 career victories and three Daytona 500 victories, Hamlin has accomplished just about everything there is to in NASCAR. That is except for a Cup title, which he's in prime position to finally do on Sunday.

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Edited by John Breeden