Kyle Larson denied Denny Hamlin his first career championship when a late caution at Phoenix Raceway sent the title-deciding finale into overtime.

Kyle Larson, 33, outdueled Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe and William Byron to win his second title following his 2021 championship.

The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs wrap up this afternoon in Arizona with Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, Kyle Larson and William Byron competing for the title. Follow along throughout the day for live updates and real-time expert analysis from our team of reporters at The Athletic.

Kyle Larson was equally happy and sad Sunday at Phoenix. He was elated to score a comeback second championship, but sad it came at the expense of Denny Hamlin.

Kyle Larson had a moment while celebrating his second NASCAR Cup Series championship when his mind drifted elsewhere. “Iit kind of hit me like, ‘Oh, man, I can't imagine what he's feeling right now,’” Larson said of fellow championship contender Denny Hamlin.

Hamlin, Briscoe and then Byron all won to earn their spots in the field, while Larson failed to win in the playoffs and earned the final berth through points. Even so, he likes how the No. 5 Chevrolet is running the last nine week and likes his chances Sunday.

Kyle Larson pushed back hard on talk that money drives his career. He said he loves racing and plans to stay in NASCAR for a long time ahead of Sunday's Cup Series Championship race.