Runner-up Larson leaves Bristol with Cup Series points lead
Larson moved one point ahead of Denny Hamlin after a late drag race for second and his third top-five in the Chase.
- Kyle Larson took the Cup Series points lead after finishing second at the Bass Pro Shops Night Race on Saturday, marking his first time atop the standings since winning the 2025 championship.
- Starting on pole at World Wide Technology Raceway, the Californian led twice for a combined 45 laps before struggling with tire strategy that saw him fade into the pack during the middle stages.
- Late-Race collisions between frontrunners Gibbs and Carson Hocevar created an opening; Larson drag-raced the 23-year-old Hocevar to the finish line, securing second place by inches in a final-lap dash.
- That narrow finish gave Larson a one-point advantage over Denny Hamlin, placing him atop the standings. His three top-fives through the Chase have bolstered his championship positioning significantly.
- Maintaining consistency remains critical throughout the Chase, as Larson identified Kansas, Vegas, and Charlotte as pivotal tracks where Toyotas may excel, requiring his team to stay adaptable for variable conditions.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Kyle Larson refuses to get comfortable as he takes over NASCAR championship points lead: “We've just got to be ready for anything”
Following a relentless battle under the lights at Bristol Motor Speedway, defending Cup Series champion Kyle Larson has officially climbed back to the top of the NASCAR Cup Series standings.
“This Was Never Gonna Be 10 Lights-Out Weeks”– Veteran Journalist Defends Denny Hamlin’s Slipping Title Bid With Blunt Verdict
Denny Hamlin walked away from Gateway feeling lucky to be in the lead of the championship. An 8th-place finish at Bristol on Saturday night proved that Hamlin still has that luck on his side. Kyle Larson came in 2nd and took the championship lead off of Hamlin, but only by one point. Hamlin’s Chase hasn’t […]
Runner-up Larson leaves Bristol with Cup Series points lead
Larson has established himself as the driver to beat three races into the Chase, with his second-place finish at Bristol making him the new points leader and giving him a one point advantage over previous frontrunner Denny Hamlin.
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