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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 05: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 Leidos Toyota, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 05, 2025 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
The stage is ready for the biggest race of the year. The list of entries for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway has been unveiled and is packed with characters, headlines, and spice.
The list sees 38 cars, one more than the normal 37, as NASCAR heads into its championship weekend on November 2.
There are 38 on the preliminary entry list for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway. Notables: 44-Yeley, 66-Mears#NASCAR pic.twitter.com/PTcUqVkYqy
— Joseph Srigley (@joe_srigley) October 27, 2025
The four drivers competing for the Bill France Cup, Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, and Kyle Larson, are the main features of what is becoming a showdown that is impossible to miss.
This year’s list even brings back some memories. Long-time Casey Mears, aged 47, is back in the number 66 Garage Ford. On the other hand, JJ Yeley takes the place of the number 44 NY Racing Team Ford, being a part of the expanded field that promises more unpredictability than ever.
The race will start at 3 p.m. ET, and fans can watch the event live on NBC, Peacock, HBO Max, MRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Championship 4: Four Drivers, Four Different Paths
The Championship 4 drivers each have a different story to tell at Phoenix. Chase Briscoe and Denny Hamlin, the Joe Gibbs Racing duo, are the two candidates aiming for the title.
William Byron and Kyle Larson, the Hendrick Motorsports pair, want to prolong their organization’s supremacy, with Larson looking at his second Cup championship since 2021.
Their journeys to the final were extremely difficult. Byron’s last-minute win at Martinsville was what guaranteed his place, while Hamlin and Briscoe’s early playoff victories helped them get in. Larson was able to get to the next stage via points, reflecting a very stable performance throughout the whole postseason.
23XI Expands, Riley Herbst Gets Another Shot
One of the most intriguing alterations is 23XI Racing, which has brought a third car with a view to Riley Herbst in the number 35 Monster Energy Zero Sugar Toyota. Herbst’s rookie year has not been smooth, but it has been characterized by a strong 17th at the Daytona 500 and, in contrast, a 36th at Martinsville.
Nevertheless, the action here reveals 23XI’s mounting desire for success, although Herbst is having trouble locating his ground among NASCAR’s toughest competitors.
Legends, Rookies, and the Shape of What’s Next
The rest of the field is brimming with talent and stories. Zane Smith becomes the driver of the number 38 Front Row Ford, and Ross Chastain, in the number 1 Trackhouse Chevrolet, is aiming to end his playoff run on a high note.
One name that is not present is Jimmie Johnson. The seven-time champ, who has been on a quest for his 700th career start this season, will not be at Phoenix to take part in the lineup. However, his legacy continues to be a major influence over the weekend.
At the same time, the team skirmishes are going on to illustrate the sport’s power balance. The title fight is mainly between Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing, while 23XI’s development and Rick Ware Racing’s regular appearances are the two sides of the coin, reflecting how the grid keeps changing.
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship is set to be the perfect blend of history, heart, and high stakes, with 38 cars that will be tearing through the desert. Veterans, rookies, and champions-in-waiting will all be looking to grab their share of glory in the final sprint, and by Sunday night, there will be one name only that will be engraved in the Cup Series history.
Dogli Wilberforce is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce
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