A championship before the chequered flag
Kyle Larson secured the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series championship during the November 8 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. NASCAR’s official report confirms that fourth place in Stage 1, worth seven stage points, put the title beyond his rivals.
That is the season championship, not a claim that Larson won the Homestead race. NASCAR reported the clinch while the finale was still running.
His third title and Hendrick’s sixteenth
Larson adds 2026 to his 2021 and 2025 titles. He is the first driver to win consecutive Cup championships since Jimmie Johnson completed his five-title run in 2010.
The result gives Hendrick Motorsports its record 16th Cup championship. Larson drove the team’s No. 5 Chevrolet, with Cliff Daniels as crew chief.
How the Chase changed the season
Larson went without a win in the 26-race regular season. The 2026 Chase used one points reset followed by ten races without eliminations, allowing the championship to be clinched before the final race ended.
