WATCH: Kyle Larson Nearly Drops NASCAR Championship Trophy During Victory Lane Celebration

Kyle Larson had already secured his third NASCAR Cup Series championship. Holding on to the trophy, however, nearly proved to be another challenge entirely.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver provided one of the more entertaining moments of Sunday’s championship celebration at Homestead-Miami Speedway when he nearly dropped the massive Cup Series trophy while lifting it in victory lane.

Larson was surrounded by his team and family as he raised the trophy above his head. But as he hoisted the silver hardware into the air, it suddenly tilted awkwardly, forcing him to scramble to keep it from slipping out of his hands.

Fortunately, Larson managed to maintain his grip, avoiding what would have been a rather unfortunate ending to an otherwise unforgettable afternoon.

The moment was captured on video and shared by PRN, which couldn’t resist having a little fun with the newly-crowned champion.

“Kyle Larson is the 2026 Champion!” the outlet wrote on X, adding, “(And almost drops the trophy ).”

Kyle Larson is the 2026 Champion!

(And almost drops the trophy 😂) pic.twitter.com/dlOnz4K8hC

— PRN (@PRNlive) November 8, 2026

Kyle Larson’s Trophy Scare Adds Some Humor to Championship Celebration

The brief scare came during a celebration Larson had spent an entire season working toward.

The 34-year-old clinched the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series championship during Stage 1 of Sunday’s season finale, earning enough points to eliminate the remaining mathematical possibilities for Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin.

Larson finished fourth in the opening stage, securing his third career Cup Series title before the race had even reached its halfway point.

He ultimately finished 12th, while Ryan Blaney took the checkered flag ahead of Tyler Reddick and William Byron.

For Larson, the championship added another milestone to a career that already included Cup Series titles in 2021 and 2025. It also marked his second consecutive championship with Hendrick Motorsports.

A Championship Moment Larson Won’t Soon Forget

There was plenty for Larson and the No. 5 team to celebrate Sunday night.

Winning a NASCAR championship is difficult enough. Winning three puts Larson in increasingly exclusive company, particularly considering he has now captured back-to-back titles.

And while his performance on the track will be what people remember most about his 2026 season, the trophy incident gave fans a much lighter moment to enjoy amid the celebrations.

After 36 races, countless laps and another championship campaign, Larson had earned the right to enjoy every second of victory lane.

Even if the trophy nearly got away from him.