Larson Secures Third NASCAR Cup Championship in Homestead
The 34-year-old driver locked down the title after finishing fourth in the first segment of the season finale, becoming the first back-to-back winner since Jimmie Johnson in 2010.
By Natalia Costa ·
Kyle Larson claimed his third NASCAR Cup Series championship on Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida. The 34-year-old driver finished fourth in the opening segment of the 400-mile race, a result that secured the title before the checkered flag fell for the full event.
Larson entered the race with a 67-point lead over Christopher Bell. He needed only nine points to guarantee the trophy, a threshold he met by earning one point for starting the race and seven more for his segment finish. Because Bell did not win the opening stage, Larson’s lead became mathematically insurmountable for the remainder of the day.
This victory makes Larson the first consecutive champion in NASCAR history since Jimmie Johnson. Johnson won five consecutive titles starting in 2006, with his final reign ending in 2010. Larson’s third crown places him in the company of a select group of drivers who have achieved this milestone.
The 34-year-old is the 11th driver in NASCAR history to win three Cup Series titles. He joins a list that includes seven-time champions Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jimmie Johnson. Jeff Gordon holds four championships, while Lee Petty, David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, Tony Stewart, and Joey Logano also have three.
Larson’s path to the title was defined by a strong playoff run. He won three of the nine previous playoff races, ending a 51-race winless streak. He also finished in the top 10 in eight of those nine events. Larson was the heavy favorite for the Bill France Cup long before the green flag waved at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
