Despite Kyle Larson's victory in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway, viewership dropped compared to last year. NBC's broadcast earned a 1.44 rating with 2.774 million viewers, down from last year's 1.60 rating and 2.9 million viewers. This decline contributed to a 14% decrease in overall television viewership for the series. However, races on Amazon's Prime Video performed better than expected, with three out of five races garnering over two million viewers. NASCAR is considering changes to its playoff format, while the NASCAR Xfinity Series saw a 10% increase in viewership with a network television schedule.

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Kyle Larson, fresh off his second Cup Series championship, was the star of the annual NASCAR awards ceremony in Scottsdale, Arizona. Larson dedicated his win to his late public relations manager, Jon Edwards, and expressed gratitude for his team's perseverance. Shane van Gisbergen won the Cup Series Rookie of the Year, while Jesse Love and Corey Heim, the Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series champions respectively, also gave emotional speeches. The ceremony concluded with a standing ovation, and the green flag for the 2026 NASCAR season is set for February 15th.

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Chase Elliott secures his eighth consecutive Most Popular Driver award, following in his father's footsteps, while Justin Allgaier and Rajah Caruth also claim their respective series' awards, showcasing the drivers' strong bonds with their fans.

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Chase Elliott, Justin Allgaier, and Rajah Caruth were named the Most Popular Drivers in the NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, and Craftsman Truck Series, respectively, for the 2025 season. Elliott secured his eighth consecutive Cup Series award, while Allgaier won his sixth Xfinity Series honor in the last seven years. Caruth received his second Craftsman Truck Series award. These drivers have consistently shown fan favorite status, with Elliott joining an elite group of Cup Series drivers who have won the award five or more times.

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NASCAR champion Kyle Larson shares the heartwarming tradition of the champion's journal, a keepsake passed down from one Cup Series winner to the next. This year, Joey Logano hands the journal to Larson, marking a continuation of this cherished custom. Larson expresses his excitement to read past entries and plans to write for the next champion, highlighting the camaraderie and respect among NASCAR's elite drivers.

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NASCAR fans rejoice! The new NASCAR Channel, now available on popular streaming platforms, offers free, ad-supported access to live events, full race replays, and original programming. No subscription or registration needed, making it easier than ever to enjoy the sport you love.

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Connor Zilisch, the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series runner-up, reflects on his close championship loss to friend Jesse Love. Despite the defeat, Zilisch remains optimistic, having had an exceptional season with ten wins and eighteen top-five finishes. He's set to join the NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing in 2026, eager to learn and grow from the challenges of the top level of stock car racing.

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Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver, shares his plans to return for the next season after a tough championship loss. Despite signing a multi-year contract extension, he admits needing time to recover from the defeat. His reaction echoes Carl Edwards' post-race comments after a similar loss, and he expects to make a decision by the Cook Out Clash exhibition in February.

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Denny Hamlin, a sixty-time race winner, suffers a heartbreaking loss at the championship race, leading for over two hundred laps but losing due to a late caution flag. Despite the painful defeat, he finds solace in supporting his friend Kyle Larson's victory. Hamlin, a forty-four-year-old veteran, faces the upcoming NASCAR Awards Banquet, a tradition he finds particularly challenging, but remains hopeful for a longer offseason to recover and continue his quest for the NASCAR Cup Series title in his twenty-first season.

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Get ready for the thrilling world of motorsports in 2026! We're spotlighting three promising drivers who could become household names. Colton Herta, an IndyCar star, is taking a bold move to Formula Two. Kalle Rovanperä, a two-time World Rally Champion, is heading to Super Formula in Japan. And Arvid Lindblad, a British-Swedish-Indian talent, is poised for a Formula One seat with Racing Bulls. Stay tuned for these exciting shake-ups!

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**Summary:**Hendrick Motorsports celebrates its fifteenth NASCAR Cup Series championship, with Kyle Larson securing his second title at Phoenix Raceway. This milestone comes thirty years after Jeff Gordon's first championship, marking a remarkable journey for the team. Owner Rick Hendrick and Gordon reflect on their humble beginnings and the unparalleled success they've achieved. Crew chief Cliff Daniels attributes the team's resilience and bold strategy to their championship win. Looking ahead, Hendrick and Gordon emphasize the importance of their strong winning culture and people, predicting many more championships for the organization.

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Denny Hamlin's NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway took a dramatic turn when a late caution sent the race into overtime, leaving him stuck in the pack and unable to claw his way back through the field. Despite dominating the race and leading over two hundred laps, Hamlin's shot at his first championship slipped away as Ryan Blaney pulled off a last-lap move to win and Kyle Larson secured his second NASCAR Cup Series championship. The race was filled with surprises, heartbreak, and dramatic turns, leaving fans and NASCAR insiders stunned as Hamlin's flawless race unraveled in the final moments.

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**Summary:**Shane van Gisbergen, a 36-year-old New Zealand racer, made history as the oldest NASCAR rookie to win the Rookie of the Year award. Despite a slow start, he dominated road-course races, winning five out of six, and improved on ovals, securing his first top-ten finish in Kansas. His teamwork with crew chief Stephen Doran and growing trust in his car's behavior led to a remarkable turnaround. Looking ahead, van Gisbergen is poised to make a significant impact in the NASCAR Cup Series.

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In the tightening Formula One title race, McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri find themselves in a fierce rivalry. After Piastri's strong start, Norris has now taken the lead by a single point. With five races without a win, Piastri's performance has been impacted by pressure, leading to mistakes and changes in driving style. As they head to the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, both drivers must balance pushing to the limit and staying calm under pressure.

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NASCAR Awards ceremony moves to Scottsdale, Arizona, on November 4th for an unforgettable event. Fans can watch on The NASCAR Channel, streaming on various platforms. The evening will honor community champions, popular drivers, and humanitarians. Chase Elliott, Justin Allgaier, and Rajah Caruth are among those vying for awards. The Myers Brothers Award will also be presented, making this year's ceremony a must-watch for fans and drivers alike.

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In a surprising turn of events, McLaren's open strategy sharing during the Formula One title race between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri has raised eyebrows. With Norris dominating the Mexico City Grand Prix, the team's decision to ask him for tire preferences while Piastri struggled has sparked debate. Critics argue that such openness could potentially help Piastri, Norris's main title challenger, and question the wisdom of sharing strategic insights in a tight race. As the season nears its end, all eyes are on McLaren's unique team dynamic and how it will impact the high-stakes title battle.

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Daniel Dye, NASCAR driver and Race to Stop Suicide founder, named Comcast Community Champion of the Year, receiving a $60,000 donation for his mental health advocacy. His journey began after losing his cousin to suicide, leading him to use his platform to break the silence around mental health and suicide prevention. With custom paint schemes on his race car and community outreach, Daniel's message is spreading, creating change and supporting mental health initiatives.

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Trackhouse Racing makes a major move! Ross Chastain, a veteran Cup Series driver, teams up with Brandon McSwain, a newcomer to full-time crew chief roles, for the 2026 season. McSwain, a long-time Hendrick engineer, takes over from Phil Surgen, who moves to a new role within the team. Fans eagerly await McSwain's debut as a Cup Series crew chief at the Cook Out Clash in February, as this dynamic duo embarks on a new journey in NASCAR's top series.

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Chase Briscoe's debut season with Joe Gibbs Racing was marked by highs and lows, culminating in a thrilling yet heartbreaking race for the NASCAR Cup Series title. Despite tire issues and a late pit stop, Briscoe showcased his potential, challenging for the lead and proving he's a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming season.

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In a thrilling finish, Kyle Larson and his Hendrick Motorsports team secured their second championship title in Avondale, Arizona. Despite a disastrous pit stop and a flat tire, the team's resilience and unwavering belief in each other led to a hard-fought victory. The celebration was filled with joy and relief, as the team, including Annie the goldendoodle, came together to celebrate their comeback.

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