Phoenix Season Finale Groovy Gauge Presented by Lectric eBikes

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This may have been Phoenix’s last championship race for now before Homestead takes over, but it went out with a bang. Denny Hamlin did everything right – won the pole, led the most laps, and looked poised to finally break through for that elusive championship. But when the caution flew and the chips fell, it was Kyle Larson who capitalized with a bold two-tire call, joining elite company as a two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion. It was heartbreak and triumph rolled into one unforgettable day at Phoenix Raceway. Eric Estepp breaks down Hamlin’s heartbreak, Larson’s late-race heroics, and where this finale ranks on the Groovy Gauge powered by Lectric eBikes.

Groovy Gauge Score: 75%

Eric said this race was “wildly entertaining,” highlighting how the new tire completely changed Phoenix’s usual one-lane character and made drivers actually manage their stuff again.
He broke down the tire failures, saying most weren’t Goodyear’s fault at all; instead, they were setup-related, with teams pushing air pressures too low and paying the price.
He praised how tire wear created passing opportunities and multiple racing grooves, something that hasn’t been seen much of at Phoenix since the reconfiguration.
And even with a gut-wrenching finish for Hamlin, Eric said the mix of strategy, chaos, and speed made it feel like a true championship-caliber race to end the season.
On the Groovy Gauge, Eric gave Phoenix a 75%, calling it a “very solid race” and one of the most balanced finales of the Next Gen era. The tire made the difference, and the intensity never faded.

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2025 Groovy Gauge Score Tracker

Race	Score	Source
Daytona 500	70%	Watch HERE
Atlanta	90%	Watch HERE
COTA	80%	Watch HERE
Phoenix	85%	Watch HERE
Las Vegas	65%	Watch HERE
Homestead	78%	Watch HERE
Martinsville	50%	Watch HERE
Darlington	60%	Watch HERE
Bristol	40%	Watch HERE
Talladega	60%	Watch HERE
Texas	65%	Watch HERE
Kansas	70%	Watch HERE
All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro	85%	Watch HERE
Coca-Cola 600	90%	Watch HERE
Nashville	75%	Watch HERE
Michigan	85%	Watch HERE
Mexico City	75%	Watch HERE
Pocono	55%	Watch HERE
EchoPark Speedway	90%	Watch HERE
Chicago Street Course	65%	Watch HERE
Sonoma	65%	Watch HERE
Dover	60%	Watch HERE
Brickyard 400	70%	Watch HERE
Iowa	50%	Watch HERE
Watkins Glen	40%	Watch HERE
Richmond	90%	Watch HERE
Daytona	90%	Watch HERE
Southern 500	70%	Watch HERE
Gateway	55%	Watch HERE
Bristol Night	95%	Watch HERE
New Hampshire	80%	Watch HERE
Kansas 2	95%	Watch HERE
Charlotte Roval	70%	Watch HERE
Las Vegas 2	65%	Watch HERE
Talladega 2	80%	Watch HERE
Martinsville 2	82%	Watch HERE
Phoenix Finale	75%	Watch HERE