Martinsville takeaways: Kyle Larson unable to clinch NASCAR title but still has huge edge
Kyle Larson didn't clinch the NASCAR Cup championship at Martinsville, but William Byron won and brake-checking doomed two Team Penske drivers.
At Martinsville Speedway, Kyle Larson did not secure the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series title, but he maintained a significant lead over his competitors. Larson entered the Xfinity 500 73 points ahead of Denny Hamlin and needed to finish 77 points clear to win the championship. Unfortunately, he fell back and lost track position, missing the opportunity to score stage points.
The same strategy cost his teammate William Byron, who secured his first victory of the season, marking his fourth win in his career. Meanwhile, Shane van Gisbergen continued to improve on the series' traditional ovals, finishing fifth in his No. 97 Chevrolet. While Larson's team did not clinch the title, they kept their championship hopes alive heading into Homestead-Miami.
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