Kyle Larson’s bid for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Championship came to a heartbreaking halt on Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, as a late-race crash left his title hopes in tatters. The wreck occurred with just 30 laps remaining in the race, when Larson was running in the top 10, battling for position with fellow playoff drivers.
A misjudgment in heavy traffic led to Larson making contact with another car, sending him hard into the wall. The impact destroyed the front and rear of his No. 5 Chevrolet, ending his day and effectively eliminating him from championship contention. The crash was a gut-wrenching blow for Larson, who had been a consistent contender throughout the season and was considered one of the favorites to win the title.
With the incident, Larson joined a list of playoff drivers whose championship hopes were dashed in the closing races. The wreck not only marked a crushing personal setback for Larson, but it also left his team and fans in shock. As the series heads to the final race, Larson will now focus on finishing the season strong, but for him, the elusive championship will have to wait another year.