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Tony Stewart knows what it takes to lift a NASCAR Cup Series championship.
The Hall of Famer won the series crown in 2002, 2005, and again in 2011 before his retirement in 2015.
So, too, does superstar driver Kyle Larson, who took home the championship in 2021.
Which is part of why Stewart says that he believes the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series crown is Larson’s to lose with just two races remaining in the season.
“I don’t know how you don’t bet on Kyle Larson going back to Phoenix and winning a championship again. I mean, Kyle is just one of those guys that when the big shows come up and when the big moments come up, he rises to the occasion. He is another Kevin Harvick,” Stewart said on Wednesday’s episode of NASCAR Race Hub.
“He is just one of those guys that when all the chips are on the table; he knows what it takes to get it done and the big pressure situations just don’t get to him. I mean, you cannot rattle that kid. He just goes, gets in that car, and does his job.”
Oddsmakers agree with Stewart, too. Larson is currently listed at +150 to win the title, ahead of Christopher Bell at +250. Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron is close behind at +300.
Coincidentally, Stewart also just happened to sell his All Star Circuit of Champions racing series to Larson earlier this week.
Larson locked himself into the championship race at Phoenix with a win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway two weeks ago. Bell did the same this past weekend at Homestead. The final two championship spots will be determined this Sunday at Martinsville Speedway.
Only Larson and Martin Truex Jr. have previously won series championships of the eight drivers still remaining. Truex currently sits 17 points below the cut line and will need a victory or some luck at Martinsville if he’s to advance.