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Kyle "Miyata" Larson se consagró campeón el día de ayer en el desierto de Phoenix de la serie de la copa NASCAR 2025, tras derrotar a Denny Hamlin quien se tuvo que conformar con ser el segundo lugar.
Kyle Larson, William Byron, Chase Briscoe y Denny Hamlin, llegaron con una posibilidad al título, donde este último (Hamlin) fue el que más carreras ganó en el año, mientras que los otros tres obtuvieron un triplete de victorias en la temporada. Todos tenían la misma posibilidad, un 25%, pues quien terminara adelante en esta última carrera, se convertiría en el ganador del título de campeón. Larson buscaba emular su resultado de 2021, mientras que Hamlin, Byron y Briscoe buscaban su primer campeonato. Creo que la experiencia juega un papel importante en estas carreras y se terminó reflejando con el resultado, pues Larson no lideró ninguna vuelta en Phoenix, pero su consistencia y estrategia lo mantuvieron en posición de campeonato.
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Kyle “Miyata” Larson was crowned champion yesterday in the Phoenix desert in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, after defeating Denny Hamlin, who had to settle for second place.
Kyle Larson is a deserving champion. He may not have been the biggest winner of the year, but his consistency led him to win his second championship in the category, after winning in 2021, in his first year after joining Hendrick Motorsports. It should be remembered that Larson's arrival at this team was controversial, as he was fired from Chip Ganassi Racing for making racist comments during a live broadcast of the iRacing game during the pandemic. Miyata had to work hard after being placed on probation by NASCAR, completing his community service and then re-signing with a major team.
We often say that things happen for a reason, although I completely disagree with Kyle Larson's comments. However, Chip Ganassi was not going to achieve anything in the category, as this team did not have the same tradition in NASCAR as it did in the IndyCar Series. Remember that this team was sold in the stock car series. Larson apologized for his comments and complied with the rules of the category, so he was given a second chance, which he took advantage of. Four years after his first championship, in 2025, he is back at the top of NASCAR's top division.
Kyle Larson, William Byron, Chase Briscoe, and Denny Hamlin all had a shot at the title, with Hamlin winning the most races during the year and the other three each winning three races during the season. They all had the same chance, 25%, because whoever finished ahead in this last race would become the champion. Larson was looking to emulate his 2021 result, while Hamlin, Byron, and Briscoe were seeking their first championship. I think experience plays an important role in these races, and that was reflected in the result, as Larson did not lead a single lap at Phoenix, but his consistency and strategy kept him in championship contention.
Denny Hamlin se me notó molesto tras terminar la carrera o puede que más que molesto, decepcionado. El piloto del auto 11 de Joe Gibbs Racing lo dio todo durante la temporada 2025 de la serie de la copa NASCAR, fue el más ganador como lo he mencionado en varias oportunidades, además de que fue el piloto que más vueltas lideró en esta finalissima de Phoenix, con un total de 200 giros de 319. La verdad es que Hamlin optó por una estrategia que le perjudicó tras ir por cuatro neumáticos nuevos en la última detención en los pits, tras el último reinicio, ya que la carrera se tuvo que ir a tiempo extra. Hamlin perdió varias posiciones, incluso hasta las últimas posiciones del pelotón, y aunque recuperó varias posiciones hasta llegar al sexto lugar, no fue suficiente para batir a Larson quien quedó tercero.
Luego de concluida la competencia es muy fácil decir que se podría haber hecho, sí, las cuatro llantas sin lugar a dudas se podría considerar una ventaja, pues mayor agarre, lo que es sinónimo de más velocidad. Denny hizo todo lo posible de ir hacia delante, pero la posición en pista fue la que finalmente se terminó imponiendo. Larson lo acompañó la suerte, pues a falta de 100 vueltas tuvo una pinchadura, donde por suerte para el piloto, el coche no sufrió ningún daño en su carreroseria, que le ocasionaría prácticamente quedar fuera de la pelea, porque la aerodinámica es importante en el óvalo de una milla de Phoenix. Larson se mantuvo con un alto rendimiento que le permitió mantenerse hasta el final en la lucha y su esfuerzo valió plenamente la pena. "No lideramos ni una vuelta", comentó con una sonrisa, reconociendo lo inusual de ganar el título sin dominar la carrera.
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Denny Hamlin seemed upset after finishing the race, or perhaps more than upset, disappointed. The driver of Joe Gibbs Racing's No. 11 car gave it his all during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. He was the most successful driver, as I have mentioned on several occasions, and he was also the driver who led the most laps in this final race in Phoenix, with a total of 200 laps out of 319. The truth is that Hamlin opted for a strategy that hurt him after going for four new tires at the last pit stop, after the last restart, as the race went into overtime. Hamlin lost several positions, even falling to the back of the pack, and although he recovered several positions to finish sixth, it was not enough to beat Larson, who finished third.
After the race is over, it's very easy to say what could have been done. Yes, four tires would undoubtedly have been an advantage, as they provide greater grip, which is synonymous with more speed. Denny did everything he could to move forward, but his position on the track ultimately prevailed. Larson was lucky, as with 100 laps to go he had a flat tire, but fortunately for the driver, the car did not suffer any damage to its bodywork, which would have practically put him out of the fight, because aerodynamics are important on the mile-long Phoenix oval. Larson maintained a high level of performance that allowed him to stay in the fight until the end, and his effort was well worth it. “We didn't lead a single lap,” he said with a smile, acknowledging how unusual it was to win the title without dominating the race.
En el deporte motor, muchas veces hay que tener suerte, pues sabemos que los fierros suelen fallar en cualquier momento y también se pueden presentar varios obstáculos durante las carreras, como el pinchazo de Larson, pero su equipo y el piloto supieron mantener la calma y remar hacia adelante para pelear por este campeonato. Finalmente, “Miyata Larson” lo terminó logrando, cada esfuerzo y carrera durante la temporada valió la pena. Por otro lado, tenemos a Hamlin quien ha estado en varias oportunidades con posibilidades de campeonato, me recuerdo en 2009 cuando Jimmie Johnson lo derrotó en la última competencia en Homestead-Miami, que era en su momento la última carrera. Hamlin tuvo un despiste, se fue a la hierba, lo que le daño el difusor del coche, causándole problemas en la carrera. Denny llegó con más punto que Johnson, pero la competencia fue un desastre.
Pueda que esta sea una de las últimas oportunidades de Hamlin, tiene 35 años y en NASCAR normalmente los pilotos tienen un pico de rendimiento y luego este baja, pues llegan piloto más resistentes, con un gran talento y van desplazando a los pilotos más veteranos. No sé si será así, pero puede que esta sea una de las razones de la decepción de Denny Hamlin. Quien me decepcionó en la carrera fue Chase Briscoe, no se mantuvo competitivo durante el fin de semana, quedando fuera de la lucha por el campeonato. Por el contrario, William Byron lideró 50 vueltas, se mantuvo en la lucha hasta que el pinchazo le arruinó la carrera, a diferencia de Larson quien pudo continuar en la lucha. En fin, un campeonato merecido para Larson, no fue el mejor de la carrera, pero por alto llegó con posibilidades. También es cierto que, como siempre, el formato de los playoffs de NASCAR da mucho que analizar, pero es tema para otra oportunidad.
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In motorsports, luck often plays a role, as we know that cars can break down at any moment and various obstacles can arise during races, such as Larson's flat tire, but his team and the driver knew how to stay calm and push forward to fight for this championship. In the end, “Miyata Larson” achieved it, and every effort and race during the season was worth it. On the other hand, we have Hamlin, who has had several chances at the championship. I remember in 2009 when Jimmie Johnson defeated him in the last race at Homestead-Miami, which was the final race at the time. Hamlin had a mishap, went off the track, which damaged the car's diffuser, causing him problems in the race. Denny arrived with more points than Johnson, but the race was a disaster.
This may be one of Hamlin's last chances. He is 35 years old, and in NASCAR, drivers usually peak in performance and then decline as more resilient, talented drivers arrive and displace the more veteran drivers. I don't know if that will be the case, but it may be one of the reasons for Denny Hamlin's disappointment. The person who disappointed me in the race was Chase Briscoe. He wasn't competitive throughout the weekend and was out of the championship fight. On the other hand, William Byron led 50 laps and stayed in the fight until a flat tire ruined his race, unlike Larson, who was able to continue in the fight. In short, it was a well-deserved championship for Larson. He wasn't the best in the race, but he came in with a chance. It's also true that, as always, the NASCAR playoff format gives us a lot to analyze, but that's a topic for another time.
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