Kyle Larson joins Nascar’s all-time greats with third Cup title in six years

Kyle Larson won his third Nascar Cup Series championship in six years, securing the title during the opening stage of the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The 34-year-old became the first repeat champion since Jimmie Johnson in 2010 and the 11th driver to win three Cup titles, strengthening his standing among the sport’s greats.

Larson began the race with a 67-point lead over Christopher Bell and needed nine points to clinch; his stage finish gave him enough, and Bell’s result ended his title chances. Ryan Blaney won the race by passing Tyler Reddick with just over a lap remaining, while Larson finished 12th after a tyre problem following his title-clinching celebration. Larson won three of the previous nine playoff races and finished in the top 10 in eight.