Kyle Larson first back-to-back NASCAR Cup champion since '10 - ESPN

HOMESTEAD, Fla. — Kyle Larson is now a three-time NASCAR champion.

Larson clinched his third Cup Series title in six years early in the 400-mile season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday. Larson became the first back-to-back champion since Jimmie Johnson in 2010; Johnson won five in a row beginning in 2006.

The 34-year-old Larson became the 11th driver in NASCAR history with three Cup titles, joining a list that includes seven-time champs Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and Johnson. Jeff Gordon has four. Lee Petty, David Pearson, Cale Yarborough. Darrell Waltrip, Tony Stewart and Joey Logano also have three.

Larson was the overwhelming favorite to hoist the Bill France Cup in Homestead long before the green flag dropped. He entered the weekend with a 67-point lead over Christopher Bell and needed only nine points to wrap up the title. He got one point for starting the race and earned seven more by finishing fourth in the opening stage.

But because Bell didn't win the stage, there was no way for him to catch him the rest of the day.

Larson put himself in position for his latest title with a historic postseason, dubbed NASCAR's Chase for the Championship. He ended a 51-race winless skid by winning three of the previous nine playoff events and finished in the top 10 in eight of them.

He enjoyed a similar finish while winning it all in 2021, his first season at powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports. He won four of the last five races — including the finale at Phoenix Raceway — while still dealing with questions about how his time ended at Chip Ganassi Racing.

His second title came in stunning fashion last year at Phoenix. He took advantage of a late caution — his crew put on two new tires instead of four — and leaped