Kyle Larson Becomes First Back-to-Back NASCAR Cup Series Champion Since 2010
Larson earned seven stage points to lock up his second straight championship and become the first repeat Cup winner since Jimmie Johnson.
- Kyle Larson clinched his third NASCAR Cup Series championship on Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, securing the title during Stage 1. The Hendrick Motorsports driver became the first back-to-back champion since Jimmie Johnson in 2010.
- Entering the 400-mile season finale with a 67-point lead, Larson needed only nine points to secure the title. His fourth-place finish in Stage 1 provided those points; because Christopher Bell failed to win the stage, no rival could mathematically catch him.
- The 34-year-old Hendrick Motorsports driver adds this 2026 title to championships from 2021 and 2025. He joins an elite list of 11 drivers with three Cup Series titles, including legends Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Johnson.
- Crew chief Cliff Daniels called the moment 'a little anticlimactic,' as the championship was decided before the race reached its halfway point. The result secured the title without a last-lap battle, defying expectations for NASCAR's biggest race.
- Retired NASCAR driver and NBC Sports race analyst Jeff Burton considers Larson 'the best race car driver in the world,' citing his versatility across different disciplines. Burton notes he competes against top talent in every series he enters.
113 Articles
113 Articles
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Kyle Larson's incredible playoff run and Kyle Busch's tragic death define NASCAR's 2026 season. Larson clinched his third Cup Series title, finishing 12th at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday. Despite his success, Larson isn't ready to compare himself to NASCAR legends.…
Kyle Larson wins 2nd consecutive Cup Series title
Kyle Larson is now a three-time NASCAR champion. Larson clinched his third Cup Series title in six years early in the 400-mile season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday. Larson became the first back-to-back champion since Jimmie Johnson in 2010;…
Year-End NASCAR Power Rankings After Kyle Larson Claims His Third Cup Series Championship
Kyle Larson may not have had the best day on Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but after an incredible first nine races in the Chase, Larson did more than enough to secure his third Cup Series championship, putting himself among some impressive company. The now two-time defending champion scored seven points in the open stage of […]
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