The Elk Grove, California, native fended off Martin Truex Jr. in a 24-lap shootout to win for the 10th time in 2021 and for his first NASCAR Cup Series championship in the desert state.
The Tucson, Arizona, native spoiled the Playoff battle by claiming his first win at the Paperclip track amid a controversial incident with Denny Hamlin.
With only one race remaining before the NASCAR Cup Series 2021 champion is crowned at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 7, Kyle Larson is the only driver in the Playoffs who has secured a spot in the championship finale.
The Elk Grove, California, native became the first of four Cup Series competitor to secure a championship finale spot with a win in the Lone Star state.
Denny Hamlin finished seventh at Talladega in a rain-delayed and rain-shortened race won by Bubba Wallace, who drives for 23XI Racing, co-owned by Hamlin and Michael Jordan.
The Mobile, Alabama, native fended off the field in the closing laps of the second stage to become the second African-American competitor to win in NASCAR's premier series.
