Sports · Motorsport · 45 mins ago
William Byron Wins at Martinsville as Kyle Larson Nears Cup Title
William Byron won Sunday's race at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia, ending a 35-race winless streak.
He led 362 of the 500 laps, though he had already been eliminated from championship contention.
Kyle Larson holds a 67-point lead over Christopher Bell and a 70-point lead over Denny Hamlin heading into the season finale.
Larson can secure his third Cup title at Homestead next Sunday with eight of 20 possible stage points, or by finishing 28th or better without stage points.
Bell and Hamlin need to win at Homestead and earn significant stage points to keep their title hopes alive.
The finale will decide the championship, while Byron's win gives him a victory in his seventh consecutive year.
William Byron won Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway, leading 362 of 500 laps.
The victory ended Byron’s 35-race winless streak and came after he had been eliminated from championship contention.
Kyle Larson is close to clinching his third Cup title ahead of the season finale at Homestead-Miami.
Larson finished in the top 10 at Martinsville and holds a 67-point lead over Christopher Bell and a 70-point lead over Denny Hamlin, according to Fox Sports.
Bell said the championship had been lost earlier in the season, while Hamlin needs a win and substantial stage points at Homestead to remain in contention.
- Who
- William Byron won the race; Kyle Larson is close to securing the Cup title.
- What
- Byron won at Martinsville, while Larson strengthened his position in the championship standings.
- When
- Sunday, November 1, 2026.
- Where
- Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia.
- Why
- Byron won after leading most of the race; Larson is near the title because of his points advantage heading into the season finale.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
William Byron won the Martinsville race after leading 362 of 500 laps.
Kyle Larson finished in the top 10 and retained a sizable points lead over Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin.
The Cup Series season finale is scheduled for Homestead-Miami, where Larson can clinch the title.
- Winner
- William Byron
- Laps led
- 362 of 500
- Winless streak ended
- 35 races
- Larson's lead over Bell
- 67 points
- Larson's lead over Hamlin
- 70 points
4 sources
What people are saying
This definitely gives us that feeling that we know we can achieve
The killer, by far, was Stage 1
We didn’t lose the championship by any means today. We lost the championship races earlier.