MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Although Kyle Larson is adamant not to “count his championships before they come,” should his No. 5 Hendrick team claim the 2026 title, he would be the first back-to-back champ since a fellow former Hendrick Motorsports driver, Jimmie Johnson, who won a record five consecutive championships between 2006-2010.
Larson – who won the 2021 and 2025 season titles – holds a hefty 67-point advantage over Christopher Bell heading into the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Larson now only needs to finish 28th or better – or simply gain nine points – to hoist his third career championship trophy.
Larson said he was fortunate to finish ninth on Sunday at Martinsville Speedway after losing a lap during the race.
“It was a difficult race. The first stage got away with us on strategy. I assumed we were just kind of playing off the No. 11 (Denny Hamlin). The second-half of the run didn’t go like we needed it to,” Larson explained. “We could have used a caution at some point to save us, but unfortunately, it went green the whole way and we got ate up. I was just hanging on, really.
“Fortunately, we got back on the lead lap in the second stage, and we just kind of had to fight it out from there. It was just hard to pass. I tried some runs to pass and beat my tires up. Other runs, I tried to save and it was just kind of net-whatever.”
Earlier in the weekend Larson explored what back-to-back titles would mean.
“I think it would definitely be an amazing accomplishment, for sure,’’ Larson said, allowing a slight smile. “I think with repeat champions, it was obviously really tough with the previous format, so I think you’ll see more of it now as we get back to The Chase. It’s just easier to put together 10 good races than one.
“But I think if we happen to go back-to-back with it being two different formats, I think that also just shows the resilience of this team. So, yeah, we’ll see. I just want to go race and try and do a good job.”
