The 2026 Championship is Larson’s to lose

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - After 35 races, only the Championship race lies ahead to close out the 2026 NASCAR season.

Championship leader, Kyle Larson, enters this weekend with a healthy 67 point lead on second place driver, Christopher Bell.

Larson enters this weekend with the highest amount of average points per race in The Chase with 47.1 points. Compare that to an average of 27.8 points over the 26 regular season races.

The No. 5 team shifted into high gear when it matters most over the last nine races and needs just one more solid day to win the title.

Larson will win his third Cup Championship and second consecutive title by earning eight stage points or by finishing 28th or better without any stage points.

There are many other scenarios based on how the race could play out, but Larson would have to have a big issue with Bell capitalizing for there to be a big swing in points.

The same goes for Bell’s teammate Denny Hamlin, who is looming in third place 70 points back. Hamlin or Bell would likely need to sweep the stages and win the race in addition to Larson having trouble if either driver wants to claim his first championship.

Many drivers will see The Chase as a missed opportunity, including Tyler Reddick, who claimed six wins this year. The No. 45 team could end on a high note. They do, after all, have the best average finish at Homestead (4th) since 2023.

You can listen to a full preview of this week’s race on The Inside Lane with Andrew Gorton and Tyler Head from EchoPark Speedway.