Following the paperclip at Martinsville, we are down to just three NASCAR Cup Series Championship contenders. Gibbs, Blaney, Reddick, Logano, and Briscoe can no longer mathematically secure the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Championship.
Kyle Larson +67, Christopher Bell -67, and Denny Hamlin – 70 are the only three drivers with a mathematical chance to win the title. Winning it for Larson is simpler than it would be for either of the others. Let’s look at how any of the three could clinch at Homestead-Miami.
Kyle Larson +67
Kyle Larson clinches the title with just 9 points earned on Sunday night. P. 28 with no Stage Points earned would get it for him. In the event of a last-place finish, Kyle would need to at least earn 8 Stage Points. In the event of a tie, Kyle owns the tiebreaker with 3 wins.
Christopher Bell -67
Christopher Bell finished P. 10 and earned Stage Points at Martinsville, allowing him to close back in. At Homestead-Miami, Christopher would need to win the race and earn 14 Stage Points in order to have a chance to secure the title.
Denny Hamlin -70
Denny Hamlin would need to win at Homestead-Miami and earn 17 Stage Points to have a chance to win the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Championship.
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