Kyle Larson enters NASCAR finale with 67-point lead
The Hendrick Motorsports driver stands alone at the championship event in Florida, needing only nine points to claim his third career Cup Series title.
By Bianca Herrera ·
Kyle Larson stands alone in the final chapter of the NASCAR Cup Series season.
Larson holds a 67-point advantage over Christopher Bell entering the race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He needs only nine points to secure his second consecutive championship and his third title in six years. The driver will receive one point for starting the event. He can earn additional points based on his performance in the opening stage.
Larson was the only contender present at the media day event on Thursday. Both Bell and Denny Hamlin, who remain technically in the mix, were excused from the session. This marks the first time a lone driver has occupied the stage since NASCAR adopted the playoff format more than two decades ago.
"We’ve earned the right for it to be awkward," Larson said during the press conference. "I like awkwardness."
The driver has two wins and six top-five finishes in 12 starts at this specific track. Even if he struggles, Bell or Hamlin would need to accumulate the maximum 76 points available in the race to close the gap. Larson said the margin for error is small despite the large point cushion.
"I think that’s the pressure. Like, man, don’t (screw) it up at this point," Larson said. He plans to manage the race from the front after the first stage. He expects to race with less worry once he secures those initial points.
Larson aims to join an elite group of 10 drivers who have won three Cup Series titles. That list includes Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jimmie Johnson. Jeff Gordon leads all drivers with four championships. Retired driver Jeff Burton noted that more people have walked on the moon than have won three Cup Series titles. Burton described Larson as the best race car driver in the world, citing his ability to win in different disciplines.
Larson’s path to this point was difficult. He entered the playoff with a 50-race winless streak and a 10th-place standing. He won three of the first nine playoff races to build his lead. Driver Justin Allgaier called the run a generational performance that may never be matched again.
