NASCAR Championship Throwback: Kyle Larson wins over Martin Truex Jr. in 2021

With another trip to the Championship 4 locked up, Kyle Larson is ready to repeat what he did in 2021 to win the NASCAR championship. Larson is seen as one of the favorites. He will go up against William Byron, Ryan Blaney, and Christopher Bell this Sunday.

Before all of that, let’s get into what happened two years ago. The 2021 NASCAR Championship weekend was a wild one. Ben Rhodes won the Truck Series title and had the party of his life and subsequent legendary press conference. Daniel Hemric came away with the win and the Xfinity Series championship.

Kyle Larson started up front. He won the pole and was in the lead for 108 laps total. Martin Truex Jr. won Stage 1. Then, Larson won Stage 2. The Championship 4 drivers, Larson, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, and Truex Jr. were the top four drivers in Stage 2.

While heading to pit road after a late caution involving David Starr for MBM Motorsports, it was make-or-break time.

Kyle Larson’s pit crew stepped up to the plate and took him from fourth to first on that pit stop. He then went on to dominate the end of the race and win over Truex Jr. He was amazing in these 2021 playoffs, winning five of eight races, four of the last five to close the season.

This championship is likely why Kyle Larson was included on the NASCAR 75 Greatest Drivers List. It helped solidify his legacy as a young driver in the sport. A champion before 30. Can he get his second championship in three years this weekend?

Kyle Larson favored to win Phoenix race, championship

Not only is Kyle Larson favored to win the championship, he’s the favorite to win the race outright. The champion has gone on to win the race itself in the last few years. However, there’s always a chance that one driver outside of the Championship 4 will catch on.

However, Larson is the favorite. At 7-4 odds to win the race and 7-4 odds to win the championship, it feels like we’re going to get a repeat of 2021. Even with his high number of DNFs this season, Larson has led more laps than his Championship 4 counterparts.

Then again, Ryan Blaney has been very good at Phoenix. Especially in the Next Gen era. He has finishes of P2, P2, and P4 dating back to 2022. That is far better than the other three drivers, including Larson.

This weekend could be another legacy-defining moment for Kyle Larson. He’s the only one with a championship in the final four. So, if he doesn’t win it, someone else will be cementing their own legacy in NASCAR just as he did two years ago.