Sports · Motorsport · 2 hrs ago
Kyle Larson could clinch NASCAR Cup title early at Martinsville
Kyle Larson could clinch the NASCAR Cup Series title at Martinsville Speedway this weekend, one race before the season ends.
He leads Denny Hamlin by 73 points, Christopher Bell by 74 and Chase Briscoe by 79.
A 59-point result would secure the title regardless of other drivers’ scores, but Larson can reach that total only by winning and collecting enough stage points or the fastest-lap point.
Otherwise, he needs to leave Martinsville 77 points clear of the runner-up to clinch outright; a 76-point lead would mean he needs only to start the final race.
The top seven drivers still have a mathematical chance, though Larson must outscore Hamlin and Bell at Martinsville to clinch early.
An early clinch would be a first since 2003, before NASCAR’s later championship formats; if Larson does not clinch, the title will be decided at the season’s final race.
Kyle Larson could clinch the NASCAR Cup Series championship one race early at Martinsville Speedway.
He leads Denny Hamlin by 73 points, Christopher Bell by 74 and Chase Briscoe by 79.
To officially clinch at Martinsville, Larson must leave with a 77-point lead over the driver in second place.
If he scores 59 points, he clinches regardless of what the other contenders do, assuming they start the final race.
The maximum available in a race is 76 points.
- Who
- Kyle Larson and the other NASCAR Cup Series title contenders.
- What
- Larson could clinch the championship one race early at Martinsville Speedway.
- When
- Sunday, according to RACER; the articles do not state the race date.
- Where
- Martinsville Speedway.
- Why
- Larson leads the standings, and his points advantage could become insurmountable.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
RACER reported that Larson could clinch his third Cup Series title at Martinsville.
Motorsport.com detailed the points scenarios Larson needs to clinch early.
- Points lead over Denny Hamlin
- 73 points
- Points lead over Christopher Bell
- 74 points
- Points lead over Chase Briscoe
- 79 points
- Lead needed to officially clinch at Martinsville
- 77 points over the second-place driver
- Points needed for an automatic clinch
- 59 points, assuming contenders start the final race
- Maximum points available in a race
- 76 points
4 sources
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Larson tempted by possibly clinching NASCAR title at Martinsville
How close to the crown? Larson’s paths to clinching a third Cup Series title at Martinsville