Overview
- On Thursday, Nov. 5, Larson confirmed he will keep marathon training through championship weekend and planned a 15-mile run Friday morning before Cup practice at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
- Larson has been logging more than 40 miles per week while preparing for his first marathon, the California International Marathon on Dec. 6 near his Elk Grove, California, hometown.
- He enters the Homestead finale needing nine points to secure a third Cup title, a margin that would be covered by a 28th-place finish with no stage points.
- Crew chief Cliff Daniels said the running has raised Larson’s physical capabilities and discipline, and Larson said solo runs with music have helped take pressure off the title chase.
- Larson’s late-season surge — three Chase wins and a 6.8 average finish over nine races — combined with the running routine gives him both a points cushion and a mental outlet going into Sunday’s race.