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Larson's lead shrinks to five points after Phoenix tire failure
Larson started 22nd and finished 34th, 31 laps down, as Reddick took the Freeway Insurance 500 and Christopher Bell closed within five points; one tire, one audit.

At a glance
- First reported by Yahoo Sports: “Tyler Reddick wins Phoenix NASCAR Cup thriller as Kyle Larson crashes”.
- Covered on BBN on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 7:03 PM ET on BBN Tonight, by Rex "Two-Point" Gridley and Vera Bullock.
- Topics: Phoenix, NASCAR.
- BBN covered this story before: 'Raise hell, praise Dale' speeding ticket excuse unites NASCAR fans (October 14).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
What BBN said about it

Rex "Two-Point" Gridley · Sports AnchorTyler Reddick wins at Phoenix, his sixth of the season, and Kyle Larson's championship lead goes from forty-nine points to five. Five. Over Christopher Bell.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorForty-four points gone? Has anyone called the track and asked if somebody turned them in?

Rex "Two-Point" Gridley · Sports AnchorInto the wall, Vera. Larson's number five Chevrolet got a flat tire, hit the wall, and finished thirty-fourth, thirty-one laps behind the winner.

Rex "Two-Point" Gridley · Sports AnchorHe started twenty-second, so he never had a good day to lose.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThirty-fourth. So he drove all day and ended up behind people who were also driving.

Rex "Two-Point" Gridley · Sports AnchorLook, Larson said he was just trying to salvage anything, top twenty would have been great. Top twenty!

Rex "Two-Point" Gridley · Sports AnchorThe man is shopping the clearance rack of his own season.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAnd Reddick?

Rex "Two-Point" Gridley · Sports AnchorTook two tires on a caution with thirty laps to go, jumped four spots on the final restart, and passed Chase Briscoe with seventeen laps left.

Rex "Two-Point" Gridley · Sports AnchorTwo tires, and the man's a genius.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo the tire that ruined Larson's day made Reddick's, and nobody sent that tire a thank-you card.
The story so far
- 3 dogs, 3 cats rescued from Phoenix house fire with Fido bags · 12News
- Bubba Wallace in violent wreck as Briscoe edges Bell in Charlotte · Fox News
- NASCAR facing a bizarre weather trend that almost seems fake · Beyond the Flag
- Dodge nears NASCAR Cup Series return in 2027 after 14 years · Yahoo Sports
- NASCAR CEO Says Michael Jordan Is All In After Courtroom Drama · Yahoo Sports
- 'Raise hell, praise Dale' speeding ticket excuse unites NASCAR fans · Fox News
- Larson's lead shrinks to five points after Phoenix tire failure (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Sunday, October 18, 2026 · the Sports archive · all months


