Bobby Travis · NASCAR/IndyCar Correspondent
For the first time since 2019, the NASCAR title will be decided at Homestead-Miami again, and Kyle Larson needs nothing more than a clean race.
On Sunday, November 8, the NASCAR Cup Series holds its season finale, the Championship Race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, back at this oval for the first time since 2019 after Phoenix hosted the title decider from 2020 to 2025. Kyle Larson heads into the race as leader of the Chase standings with 2,469 points, 67 ahead of Christopher Bell and 70 ahead of Denny Hamlin, and a mistake-free day would give him his third Cup title overall, the first back-to-back championship since Jimmie Johnson's run of titles from 2006 to 2010.
The finale schedule
Practice is scheduled for Friday, November 6, at 5:30 p.m. local time, broadcast on truTV, MRN and SiriusXM. Qualifying follows on Saturday, November 7, at 2:30 p.m., also on truTV, MRN and SiriusXM. The Championship Race itself starts on Sunday, November 8, at 3 p.m. local time.
Anyone who followed the second half of the season on USA Network will have to switch channels for the finale: the race airs on NBC, with HBO Max, MRN and SiriusXM carrying it as well.
Larson's cushion before the last race
The picture before the 36th and final race of the season is clear: Larson leads with 2,469 points, followed by Christopher Bell (2,402, minus 67) and Denny Hamlin (2,399, minus 70). Chase Briscoe sits fourth, 84 points back, Joey Logano fifth at 103 and Tyler Reddick sixth at 125. According to NASCAR, Larson needs just 9 points at Homestead to clinch the title regardless of how his rivals fare. If he scores no stage points, a 28th-place finish is enough.
Homestead-Miami is a 1.5-mile oval, and the race runs 267 laps, or 400.5 miles. Drivers consider the track demanding because of its progressive banking and high tire wear, with racing across multiple grooves and often right up against the outside wall. That favors drivers who can manage their tires over long runs and master the high line, a factor that keeps even a comfortable points lead like Larson's from being a mere formality.
Bell and Hamlin need a miracle, Spire changes drivers
Driver Ranking
NASCAR Cup Series- 1. Kyle Larson 2501 pts.
- 2. Christopher Bell 2452 pts.
- 3. Denny Hamlin 2445 pts.
- 4. Ryan Blaney 2407 pts.
- 5. Tyler Reddick 2397 pts.
Mathematically, only Bell and Hamlin remain in the title fight; everyone else is already too far back. For Hamlin it would be the last chance this season to claim the first Cup title that has so far eluded him, but that would probably take a major mechanical failure or an early incident for Larson. Without such a scenario, the title is likely to be settled on Sunday evening before the final lap has even been run.
Away from the title fight, there is also a driver change to report: Spire Motorsports has suspended Carson Hocevar for the finale after he repeatedly brake-checked Austin Cindric at Martinsville and caused his retirement. NASCAR additionally fined him $100,000 and docked him 25 points. Justin Haley takes over the No. 77 Chevrolet in his place for the season finale at Homestead.
Whether Larson actually carries his lead to the finish line or everything turns around once more on Sunday will be decided over 267 laps, with tire wear as the unknown that could still shake even such a clear points lead.
