Larson flies solo at Championship Media Day with third Cup title within reach
Kyle Larson had the spotlight to himself Thursday at NASCAR Championship Media Day, and for good reason. The Hendrick Motorsports driver was the only Cup Series championship contender in attendance, entering Sunday's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway needing just nine points to secure his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championship and third overall.
With a 67-point advantage over Christopher Bell and 70 points over Denny Hamlin, Larson has a commanding lead heading into the final race of the season. Bell and Hamlin, the only other drivers mathematically eligible for the championship, were excused from the media day appearance. Larson acknowledged the unusual setting, joking that the solo appearance made for an awkward afternoon but adding, "We've earned the right for it to be awkward. I like awkwardness."
Despite the comfortable points cushion, Larson said there is still pressure heading into the weekend. After a season that included a winless regular season and a 50-race victory drought, the No. 5 team has surged during the Chase, winning three of the first nine races. Larson said the biggest concern is avoiding an unexpected problem that could erase the work the team has done to put itself in position to win another championship. He pointed to the team's fifth-place finish at Darlington, the opening race of the Chase, as a turning point when the team began executing at the level it expected.
Larson also credited crew chief Cliff Daniels and the leadership structure at Hendrick Motorsports for creating an environment built on accountability and high expectations. He said Daniels' commitment to the team motivates everyone to meet those standards. Larson enters Homestead with two wins and six top-five finishes in 12 career Cup starts at the track, giving him confidence heading into Sunday's race.
A third championship would place Larson among an elite group of drivers in NASCAR history. He would become the 11th driver to win at least three Cup Series titles, joining legends such as Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Joey Logano. Larson said his first two championships were memorable for different reasons, but this season's comeback would make another title particularly meaningful. Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on NBC.
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