Larson Needs Just Nine Points at Homestead to Clinch Third Cup Title

Kyle Larson goes into Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Homestead-Miami Speedway knowing the title is almost within his grasp. The Hendrick Motorsports driver leads Christopher Bell by 67 points and Denny Hamlin by 70, with only one race remaining, and needs just nine points from a possible 76 to clinch his third Cup championship outright. Because Larson holds the tiebreaker over his remaining challengers, eight stage points would also be enough — meaning a third-place finish or better in the opening stage would seal the title before the race even reaches its second segment. It would make him the first back-to-back champion since Jimmie Johnson's five straight titles from 2006 to 2010. Bell and Hamlin, both Joe Gibbs Racing drivers chasing a first championship, realistically need to win the race and collect at least 14 and 17 stage points respectively, while hoping Larson stumbles badly. Larson, the defending Homestead winner, has built his cushion on an outstanding Chase run featuring three wins and six top-five finishes in nine races.