Larson, Antonelli Close in on Championships
There were two races last weekend at the highest levels of motorsports, one in Texas and the other in Alabama. Both featured championship point battles as the season nears its end. In Formula One, Kimi Antonelli leads the standings, while Kyle Larson tops NASCAR. Both could clinch their respective championships this weekend.
Antonelli is a lock to become the youngest Formula One champion in history at age 20, replacing Sebastian Vettel in that category. Entering this weekend, Antonelli holds a 123-point lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell.
Antonelli won last weekend in Texas, followed by Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris. With five races remaining, attention will shift to the battle for second through sixth in the final standings. Those positions remain up for grabs, with considerable money involved.
Larson won at Talladega in a last-lap drive that was all over the news. He edged teammate William Byron by just 0.041 seconds for his first victory on a superspeedway drafting track.
This Sunday, Larson enters Martinsville with a 171-point lead over Denny Hamlin. He only needs to stay out of trouble and use his documented expertise to secure his third NASCAR Cup title.
Hamlin has all but conceded the championship, although 152 points remain available over the final two races. His challengers would need nearly perfect performances while Larson earns nothing. That seems unlikely, but we have said that before. Stay tuned.
As you recall, Larson scored zero points at Phoenix. At Talladega, he earned 71 while Hamlin collected 29. Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe struggled, along with several other contenders involved in crashes.
Larson led entering Talladega’s final lap before Austin Hill pushed him back to 11th. Somehow, Larson charged down the inside, passed the competition and claimed victory. It was quite a show.
In the O’Reilly series, Sammy Smith snapped a 53-race winless streak at Talladega. Smith also won the Truck race the previous night. Meanwhile, Kaden Honeycutt carries a 43-point playoff lead over Layne Riggs into this weekend.
The NHRA races in Las Vegas this weekend for the Mopar Nationals, followed by the season finale in Pomona.
Although the major racing seasons are nearly finished, plenty of regional action remains.
Kyle Larson is entered in USAC midget and 360 sprint car competition at Placerville on Nov. 13. The USAC National Championship midgets visit Visalia on Nov. 18, Merced on Nov. 21-22 and Kern Raceway on Nov. 24 before concluding with the 85th Turkey Night Grand Prix at Ventura Raceway on Nov. 28.