Kyle Larson enjoys an ‘awkward’ media day ahead of NASCAR finale and his shot at a 3rd title

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) — Kyle Larson’s championship media day at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Thursday could be summed up in one word: awkward. Larson was the lone Cup Series “contender” on hand for the event. Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin, both technically still in the mix for the title, were excused. So Larson was alone on the stage, the first time that’s happened since NASCAR moved to a playoff format more than two decades ago. “We’ve earned the right for it to be awkward,” Larson quipped. “I like awkwardness. Larson holds a 67-point lead over Bell heading into the season finale at Homestead and needs only nine points to secure his second consecutive Cup title and third in six years. He will get one point for starting the race and could earn more based on where he finishes the opening stage. Even if Larson struggles — unlikely considering he has two wins and six top-five finishes in 12 starts at the track — either Bell or Hamlin would need to accumulate significant points to catch