Kyle Larson crowned 2026 NASCAR Cup champion in Miami

Kyle Larson accepted his third NASCAR Cup Series championship at the awards event in Miami, using his speech to thank the Hendrick Motorsports organisation. He opened by teasing his eight-year-old daughter Audrey, who he said had once told him he was no good at NASCAR, adding that he had taken it personally and was still waiting for an apology.

Larson also congratulated NASCAR O'Reilly Series champion Justin Allgaier and Craftsman Truck Series champion Kaden Honeycutt, praising Honeycutt's dirt racing background. He reflected on a difficult early season for Hendrick as the team adapted to the new Chevrolet body, saying there were points when he did not think a title was realistic.

Larson credited team general manager Jeff Andrews with a pre-Chase message that the team should never doubt itself. He said the organisation worked more closely together during the Chase, adding that he did not believe the championship would have been possible without everyone in the building pulling in the same direction.