NASCAR: Byron wins at Martinsville, Larson yet to clinch the title
William Byron won the NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville, his first victory of the 2026 season. Kyle Larson finished ninth and did not yet secure the championship.
William Byron won the NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville, claiming his first victory of the 2026 season after a lengthy spell without a win. NASCAR is the leading American stock car racing series, and this race also mattered for the title fight: points leader Kyle Larson had a chance to clinch the championship, but he did not manage it.
Race result
Byron beat his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott, who took second place. That put both drivers from the same team in the top two positions.
Larson, who could have wrapped up the title in this race, finished ninth. With that result, the championship remains undecided.
Title fight goes on
Larson still leads the overall standings. His advantage over closest challenger Christopher Bell is 67 points. The decision will therefore come in the final races of the season.
The last race is scheduled for 8 November at the Homestead-Miami track. That is where it will become clear whether Larson can turn his points lead into the championship.
