Kyle Larson closes in on back-to-back NASCAR championships

Kyle Larson is one race away from winning his third NASCAR Cup Series championship and delivering back-to-back titles for Hendrick Motorsports.

The driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro holds a 67-point lead over Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin heading into Sunday's finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Larson needs only nine points to clinch the championship.

That can be accomplished by finishing third in either of the first two stages of the race, because every driver who starts is automatically awarded one point.

The maximum a driver can earn in the final race is 76 points: 55 for the win, 10 for each of two stage wins, and one for the fastest lap.

Even if Larson suffers a catastrophic failure during the first stage, the points cushion leaves almost no room for Bell or Hamlin to catch him.

Larson's 2026 campaign has been remarkable, especially given how difficult his start to the season was.

According to NASCAR's official driver statistics, he has recorded three wins, 15 top-five finishes, and 21 top-10 finishes in 35 races.

He has led 1,238 laps across the season.

His victories came at Gateway, Kansas, and Talladega.

Those wins helped him become the leading championship contender during the 2026 NASCAR postseason.

What makes the run even more striking is that Larson entered the postseason after a lengthy winless streak.

He spent most of the regular season outside the top five in points before finding his winning form again.

Now, with only one race remaining, Hendrick Motorsports has another opportunity to celebrate a champion.

The organization has plenty of championship experience, which could prove valuable during the final race.

Larson will need his crew to deliver another strong performance at Homestead.

Crew pit stops and race strategies have played an important role in his success this season.

Larson's ninth-place finish in the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville all but guaranteed he would have enough points to outpace the only two remaining competitors.

The championship market on the Kalshi prediction app has attracted more than $5.9 million in trading volume.

Larson's contracts are currently available on sports prediction markets for 95 cents, which many racing prognosticators call a steal.

All the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro driver needs to do is obtain nine points.

That goal can be achieved simply by placing third in one of the two stages of the championship race.

The final race of the NASCAR postseason is returning to Homestead-Miami Speedway for the first time since 2019.

The track is a 1.5-mile oval.

The race will consist of 267 laps for a total of 400.5 miles.

A sellout crowd is expected at the venue.

The telecast will be available on NBC.

Live streamers will be able to stream the race through NBC's digital platforms.

Neither Ryan Blaney nor Tyler Reddick are eligible to win the overall Cup Series championship.

They have already been eliminated due to this year's Chase format.

Larson's experience at the highest level has been important throughout his career.

Over the years, he has shown that he can compete against the best drivers in the series.

That experience could make a difference at Homestead, where every decision matters.

With the championship within reach, Larson will need to stay focused, avoid mistakes, and rely on the team that has supported him throughout the season.

One of the biggest reasons Larson has been so successful is the support he receives from Hendrick Motorsports.

He has become one of the organization's most successful drivers and has earned plenty of respect for his performances.

Hendrick Motorsports has had many talented drivers throughout its history, including several championship winners.

Larson is also returning to his dirt racing roots after the championship weekend.

He will compete in the Hangtown 100 at Placerville Speedway in California on Nov. 13-14.

He will pull double duty in both the USAC Midget and 360 Sprint Car divisions.