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Kyle Larson is closing in on another NASCAR Cup Series championship, and he is just nine points away from officially securing the title. After a dramatic afternoon at Martinsville Speedway, the Hendrick Motorsports superstar heads into the season finale with a massive advantage and an opportunity to become a three-time Cup Series champion.
Larson finished ninth in Sunday’s Martinsville race, while teammate William Byron captured the victory. Although it wasn’t the performance Larson wanted, he accomplished what mattered most: protecting his championship lead.
The No. 5 driver now holds a 67 point advantage over Christopher Bell and a 70 point lead over Denny Hamlin heading into next Sunday’s season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Larson Has Championship History Within Reach
Larson has been one of the strongest drivers throughout the 2026 Chase, putting together an impressive postseason that included victories at Gateway and Talladega.
His consistency has separated him from the competition, and he now has an opportunity to capture his second consecutive championship and third overall Cup Series title.
The situation is particularly impressive considering Larson experienced some difficult stretches earlier in the season. However, when the championship battle intensified, the No. 5 team found another gear.
Now, Larson needs just nine points to clinch the championship. Even without earning stage points, finishing 28th or better at Homestead would be enough.
Can Anyone Stop Larson?
Bell and Hamlin are the only remaining drivers with a realistic mathematical opportunity to take the championship away from Larson.
However, both need enormous performances at Homestead while hoping Larson has a disastrous afternoon.
Larson also has a strong history at Homestead, making the situation even more difficult for his competition.
With the championship within reach, Larson doesn’t need to take unnecessary risks. He simply needs to bring home a solid finish and avoid trouble.
Kyle Larson is just one race away from another championship, and NASCAR fans could be watching the No. 5 team celebrate once again next Sunday.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/kyle-larson-just-9-points-222653088.html
