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Kyle Larson Wins Cup Championship, Denny Hamlin Heartbreak, Xfinity & Truck Champions Crowned, and the Future of the Playoff Format

Kevin Harvick's Happy Hour presented by NASCAR on FOX Nov 04, 2025 81 min

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About this episode

Kevin Harvick and co-hosts dive deep into the dramatic NASCAR championship weekend at Phoenix, celebrating Kyle Larson's Cup title while sympathizing with Denny Hamlin's heartbreak after a critical tire failure. They analyze strategic calls, tire issues, and the playoff format's flaws, hinting at upcoming changes. Highlights include Corey Heim's dominant Truck Series win and Jesse Love's Xfinity championship amid tough competition from Connor Zillich. The hosts also discuss NASCAR's evolving rules, the return of cup drivers to lower series, and reflect on the sport's past and future. The episode wraps with fan interactions, awards previews, and lighthearted moments.

Topics: cup championship denny hamlin heartbreak playoff format debate tire failures corey heim truck series win jesse love xfinity championship cup drivers in lower series nascar evolution race strategy fan engagement

Cars: Buick Grand National Chevrolet Corvette Oldsmobile Intrigue

Kevin Harvick, Kaitlyn Vincie, and Mamba Smith recap an unforgettable NASCAR Championship Weekend in Phoenix. They react to Kyle Larson’s thrilling Championship victory, break down the critical caution that changed everything, and discuss the heartbreak for Denny Hamlin, who dominated most of the race yet still came up short of his first Cup title. They analyze how the rest of the Championship 4 — William Byron and Chase Briscoe — performed and explain how tire wear played a major role in shaping the race. The crew also discusses Jesse Love’s Xfinity Series Championship and Corey Heim’s Truck title run, before diving back into the heated debate around NASCAR’s playoff format and what the future should look like. Mamba delivers this week’s top social media moments in Social Sips, and in Last Call, they grade Larson’s burnout and crown Kaitlyn as the official postseason points champion of the show. 0:00 - Intro 2:15 - Championship Weekend Recap 1:00:25 - Mamba’s Social Sips 1:12:23 - Last Call! GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Terms: draftkings.com/sportsbook. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Technical Too Afraid to Ask

SsmIntrigue (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Car

Oldsmobile Intrigue

"and that want to be there. The intrigue, yes. The intrigue of where it is and knowing tha..."

Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)

Car

Chevrolet Corvette

"...or a trophy and a check. I want to drive a yellow Corvette grow my hair out and listen to Heavens on Fire by..."

MeanBuicks at English Wikipedia (Public domain)

Car

Buick Grand National

"And I think that calling it the Grand National series so that everybody knows what the"

3 cars

3 cars featured

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