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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedOctober 26, 2026Miami-Dade County

Kyle Larson wins first NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway and expands points lead

Photo: WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed

Kyle Larson secured his first career NASCAR Cup Series victory at Talladega Superspeedway by rallying from 11th to first place on the final lap. The win expands his points lead to 73 points over Denny Hamlin with two races remaining in the season.

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Why It Matters

The victory reshapes the championship standings with only two races left, moving Larson 73 points ahead of Denny Hamlin while dropping Christopher Bell to third in the standings and ending championship hopes for drivers like Ryan Blaney and Tyler Reddick following multi-car crashes.

Key Facts

  • Kyle Larson won his first NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway with a final-lap rally from 11th to first place.
  • William Byron finished second, a few feet behind Larson, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. finished third.
  • Kyle Larson expanded his points lead to 73 points over Denny Hamlin with two races remaining.
  • A 15-car crash on the 184th lap triggered a 13-minute red flag for track cleanup and forced the race into overtime.
  • A 12-car crash on the 132nd lap collected five Chase drivers and effectively ended the championship hopes of Ryan Blaney and Tyler Reddick.
  • Christopher Bell crashed while entering the pits on Lap 56, dropped 10 laps down for repairs, and fell to third in the standings.
  • Chris Buescher, Ryan Preece, and Brad Keselowski swept the top three spots in the first stage using a fuel-conservation and alternate strategy.
  • The next NASCAR Cup Series race is scheduled at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, Nov. 1.

Who's Mentioned

PersonWilliam Byron“Hendrick Motorsports teammate who finished second”PersonDenny Hamlin“Driver trailing Kyle Larson in the Chase standings”PersonBubba Wallace“Driver involved in the incident with Ryan Blaney”locationMartinsville Speedway“Short track hosting the next NASCAR race”PersonChase Elliott“Driver who won earlier this season at Martinsville”PersonTyler Reddick“Driver whose championship hopes were impacted by a crash”PersonKyle Larson“NASCAR Cup Series driver who won the Talladega race”PersonChris Buescher“Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing driver”OrganizationHendrick Motorsports“Racing team for Kyle Larson and William Byron”PersonRyan Blaney“Driver whose championship hopes were impacted by a 12-car crash”locationTalladega Superspeedway“Race track in Talladega, Alabama”PersonAustin Hill“Driver involved in late-race drafting bumps with Kyle Larson”OrganizationRoush Fenway Keselowski Racing“Racing team whose trio swept the top three spots in the first stage”PersonChristopher Bell“Driver who crashed during pit entry and dropped to third in the standings”PersonBrad Keselowski“Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing driver and co-owner”PersonRicky Stenhouse Jr.“Driver who finished third”PersonRyan Preece“Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing driver”