“NASCAR News Today brings you the latest updates as Kyle Larson just pulled off one of the wildest wins of his career, shaking up the title fight. Here’s the full story in plain, simple words.”
Kyle Larson Wins a Wild Race at Talladega
Quick answer: Kyle Larson won the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on 25 October 2026, charging from 11th to 1st on the final lap.
Larson was caught up in traffic for much of the race but managed to claw himself up from 11th when he had just a few laps to go. But in the final laps, he made two daring moves to get right back up near the front of the field.
In an intense three-way battle across the line, Larson only edged out his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, William Byron by just 0.041 seconds to claim his first ever win at Talladega. The track is well known for being very tight and very fast with cars only inches apart running at 200mph.
“I was really lucky with how everything happened today,” said Larson after the race. But whatever you call it, it was his third win in the last seven races and at the perfect time!
Why This Win Matters for the Championship
Quick answer: The win pushed Larson’s points lead to 73 points over Denny Hamlin and 74 over Christopher Bell, with only two races left.
NASCAR’s play-off system, known as the Chase, comes down to a small group of drivers fighting it out in the final races. Before Talladega, Larson had a rough week at Phoenix, and that slip let his rivals close the gap. Talladega flipped the story straight back around.
| Position | Driver | Gap to Leader |
| 1st | Kyle Larson | Leader |
| 2nd | Denny Hamlin | -73 points |
| 3rd | Christopher Bell | -74 points |
What Went Wrong at Phoenix?
Quick answer: A flat tyre dropped Larson to a 34th-place finish at Phoenix Raceway on 18 October, his worst result of the play-offs.
It’s worth rewinding a week. At Phoenix, a flat tyre ruined Larson’s race and he finished 34th, well outside the spots that earn solid points. Tyler Reddick took the win that day. For a short while, it looked like Larson’s cushion at the top might shrink fast. Talladega proved that worry wrong.
What’s Next on the NASCAR Schedule?
Quick answer: Two races remain this season: Martinsville on 1 November and the championship race at Homestead-Miami on 8 November.
Next up is the Xfinity 500 on Sunday, 1st November, at the Martinsville Speedway. It is a short, tight half mile track which often produces close and bumpy racing with a lot of contact. With it being the final race before the season finale, every single point will count.
The season concludes on Sunday, 8th November at Homestead-Miami Speedway, with NASCAR crowning their champion. Despite Larson being far ahead in the points heading into the final two races, NASCAR have had larger leads fall apart before. Nothing is decided yet.
Quick NASCAR Facts
- Current points leader: Kyle Larson
- Closest rivals: Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell
- Races left: 2 (Martinsville, Homestead-Miami)
- Larson’s recent form: 3 wins in his last 7 races
- Track type at Homestead-Miami: 1.5-mile oval, high speed
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the NASCAR race at Talladega?
Kyle Larson won the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on 25 October 2026, coming from 11th place to take the win on the final lap.
How big is Kyle Larson’s points lead?
After Talladega, Larson leads Denny Hamlin by 73 points and Christopher Bell by 74 points, with two races left in the Chase.
What happened to Larson at Phoenix?
A flat tyre dropped him to a 34th-place finish at Phoenix Raceway on 18 October, his worst result of the play-offs.
When is the next NASCAR Cup Series race?
The Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway takes place on Sunday, 1 November 2026.
Where is the 2026 NASCAR championship race?
The season finale is at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday, 8 November 2026, where the champion will be crowned.
Is Kyle Larson going for his third NASCAR title?
Yes. Larson already won the Cup Series championship twice, and a win this season would make it three.
