What happened
Kyle Larson pitted on Lap 119 at Homestead after wall contact cut a tire. He identified the suspected failure as the right-rear tire. NASCAR had declared Larson the 2026 Cup Series champion after Stage 1, before the stop.
Further contact followed during the second stage, costing him track position. He ran 20th in the final stage after sustaining diffuser damage in the preceding segment.
What it cost
Larson never challenged for the lead after the tire trouble. He later advanced to 13th, then finished 12th.
What could have been done differently
Larson should have kept the car clear of the wall and prevented further contact after the tire failure. He blamed his own driving after learning he had clinched the championship.