NASCAR rule change could alter Kyle Larson’s championship journey

NASCAR just shook things up with a major rule change, and had it been in place last season, the 2024 championship race could have looked entirely different—especially for Kyle Larson! Drawing inspiration from Formula 1’s 2019 fastest lap rule, NASCAR has introduced a crucial point boost for the driver who records the fastest lap in a race.

This extra point—introduced under the ‘Xfinity Fastest Lap’ rule—will increase the maximum points a driver can earn per race to 61. That single bonus point could make or break a driver’s playoff fate, turning eliminations into breakthroughs and altering the entire championship landscape.

Kyle Larson Could Have Won the Regular-Season Championship!

Had this rule been in place in 2024, Kyle Larson—who recorded five fastest laps last season (more than any other driver)—would have secured an additional five playoff points. That would have been enough to crown him the regular-season champion, changing the course of the 2024 Cup Series playoffs.

But Larson wasn’t the only driver affected.

Christopher Bell: The Biggest What-If of 2024?

For Christopher Bell, this rule could have been the difference between elimination and a shot at the title. Bell clocked the fastest lap in three different races, including the Round of 8 opener at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

If Bell had received those three extra points, he would have edged out William Byron in the playoffs, landing him a place in the Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway! Imagine the drama if Byron had been eliminated instead!

Denny Hamlin, Shane van Gisbergen & Others Who Could Have Benefited

While Larson and Bell were the biggest potential beneficiaries, several other top NASCAR stars would have seen their seasons altered:

Denny Hamlin & Shane van Gisbergen +3 points each
Brad Keselowski, Ty Gibbs & Bubba Wallace: +2 points each
Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, and 11 others—+1 point each

This massive point shift would have resulted in a major reshuffle of the standings, potentially changing who advanced to the playoffs and who got left behind.

Could This Rule Decide the 2025 NASCAR Cup Champion?

With this new rule officially in play for 2025, drivers will need to push even harder for those fastest laps—especially in critical playoff races. A single point could mean the difference between hoisting the championship trophy or heading home early.

Will Kyle Larson, Bell, or another top contender use this rule to clinch the 2025 title? Buckle up—because this season is about to get wild!