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NASCAR Fantasy Picks for the 2025 Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway

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It All Comes Down to This

Hey race fans! The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season ends where legends are made — Phoenix Raceway.

Race 36. Championship weekend. The desert showdown where four drivers go for glory and the rest battle for pride (and a little fantasy bragging rights).

The one-mile flat track in Avondale, Arizona, rewards smooth corner entry, tire management, and cool heads on pit road. With practice in the books, there’s finally some clear data to lean on — and a few surprises, too.

Let’s dive into this week’s fantasy lineup built to finish the season strong.

Locked-In: Tyler Reddick

Tyler Reddick stays locked as my main driver.

He’s been consistent on short, flat tracks this year, and his practice pace landed right around the top ten. Phoenix has quietly become one of his better circuits, long green runs, smart adjustments, and a steady climb through the field all play to his strengths.

Expect solid stage points and top-eight potential if the team keeps up with track changes.

Championship Picks: Denny Hamlin & William Byron

Denny Hamlin

Denny Hamlin was the fastest of the Championship 4 in practice, clocking fifth overall on the charts. His car looked balanced on entry and planted in the center — exactly what it takes to win at Phoenix. Still hunting his first title, Hamlin’s motivation (and track record here) make him one of the safest elite plays this weekend.

William Byron

William Byron rolled out quietly quick in practice (around P9–11) and continues to show why he’s Mr. Consistency. Hendrick Motorsports always brings speed to Phoenix, and Byron’s smooth, patient driving style is tailor-made for this track. Expect another efficient, drama-free run into the top five or six.

Outside the Top 12 Sleepers

This is where the fantasy points are won — the value drivers outside the top 12 who can sneak into the mix late.

Ty Gibbs

Fastest car in practice. Let that sink in.
Ty Gibbs led the field with a 27.300-second lap and looked confident doing it. The Toyota camp nailed their Phoenix setup, and Gibbs has quietly been building toward a breakout run. If he holds his qualifying spot, this pick could pay off big.

Brad Keselowski

The veteran pick that never goes out of style. Brad Keselowski’s experience at Phoenix is unmatched among non-playoff drivers, and the RFK Fords have looked balanced over the long runs. He may not have the outright speed, but he almost always finishes better than he starts.

Ryan Preece

Here’s the sleeper of the week. Ryan Preece was fourth fastest in practice — no fluke, just speed. If that performance translates on Sunday, this could be the sneaky difference-maker that separates winning lineups from the rest.

Final Thoughts

Championship weekend is always unpredictable, but this year’s practice gave us more than usual — clear Toyota strength, strong veteran pace, and a couple of surprise underdogs with real speed.

This lineup blends proven contenders with fresh value picks who’ve shown actual speed on the stopwatch. Whether you’re chasing the pool lead or trying to finish strong, this combo has the mix of momentum, experience, and track history to make a difference.

It’s Phoenix. It’s the finale. Let’s finish the season like champions.

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Author Profile

Bryan
Hey there race fans, welcome to Driving on Marbles, where I break down NASCAR with real insight, smart strategy, and race by race analysis. This isn’t just race recaps and highlight talk, it’s trends, track history, driver momentum, and the little details that actually make a difference on race day.

Whether you’re setting your fantasy lineup, looking for betting angles, or just want to understand why things happen on the track, I’ve got you covered. My goal is simple: help fans see the race the way teams and strategists do, one decision, one adjustment, one edge at a time.

If you love NASCAR and want more than surface level coverage, you’re in the right place.

Let’s get you closer to the action.