Overview
- Kyle Larson’s two-tire stop on the final pit cycle positioned him ahead of fellow finalists as Denny Hamlin took four, and he finished third to clinch the championship.
- Ryan Blaney, eliminated from title contention, passed Brad Keselowski in the final corner to win by 0.097 seconds in the season finale.
- Hamlin started on pole, won Stage 2, and led a race-high 208 of 319 laps but finished sixth and ends the season as the runner-up.
- Right-side tire problems were widespread, with all four Championship 4 drivers affected; Byron’s right-front failure with laps remaining caused the decisive caution.
- Larson won the title without leading a lap, securing the championship with the lowest finishing position for a champion under the current format, as post-race discussion renewed scrutiny of NASCAR’s one-race finale and a review has been indicated for the offseason.