NASCAR at Homestead: Martin Truex Jr. wins first championship in Miami

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Martin Truex Jr. claimed his first NASCAR Monster Energy Cup title Sunday night in the championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

"I just found a way, I found a lane that was open," Truex told NBC in the postrace interview. With about 50 laps remaining, Truex took the lead on a restart and held it for the rest of the race, though fellow title contenders Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick mounted tough challenges.

Busch trailed Truex for the last 22 laps of the race after taking second place from Harvick. Busch tried several times to pass Truex on the inside, but Truex maintained the lead.

MORE: Dale Jr. finishes 25th, toasts career with beer

Truex's win was aided by a crucial opportunity to pit with 80 laps left. Kurt Busch spun out, which allowed Truex and Harvick to pit. That negated Kyle Busch's strategy, which was to finish the race without replacing tires. Since Harvick and Truex were allowed to replace tires, they were on even terms with Kyle Busch.

Kyle Larson was in the mix late, running third and attempting to take the win. He won Stages 1 and 2.

Championship contender Brad Keselowski didn't mount a challenge all night and finished seventh.

Truex dominated the regular season, winning seven races. His form dipped during the playoffs as he failed to win a playoff race but qualified for the Championship 4 on points.

Look back on what you missed from the title race with SN's live updates.

NASCAR at Homestead

6:20 p.m.: Here's Truex's reaction to winning the title.

6:19 p.m.:  Martin Truex Jr. is the champion! He holds off Kyle Busch for the last 10 laps to claim not only the Ford EcoBoost 400 but also the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup title.

6:13 p.m.: Couldn't be a better finish than this.

6:11 p.m.: Here's how Kyle Busch got past Harvick.

6:10 p.m.: Kyle Busch has closed the gap between him and Truex, the leader.

6:08 p.m.: Kyle Busch has passed Harvick for second.

6:05 p.m.: Harvick is hunting Truex down. There are 22 laps to go.

6:00 p.m.: Truex gained an advantage on the restart. He leads, but Harvick is right behind him.

5:59 p.m.: Back to green.

5:53 p.m.: Truex and Harvick can now pit and get fresh tires to close out the race.

5:51 p.m.: The yellow flag is out.

5:48 p.m.: Less than 50 laps to go.

5:44 p.m.: Busch pits. Truex now leads the race and the championship.

5:41 p.m.: Former driver Mark Martin agrees with Kyle Busch's strategy to make it the last 55 laps without new tires.

5:33 p.m.: Truex, Harvick and Keselowski choose to pit. Kyle Busch decides to stay out.

5:31 p.m.: Harvick said on his radio that he ran into some debris and it slowed him down. Harvick is in fourth.

5:24 p.m.: There are 88 laps left in this race, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s career.

5:22 p.m.: Kyle Busch has taken the lead from Truex.

5:16 p.m.: Truex comes out strong on the restart, and Kyle Busch is behind him. Larson and Keselowski lost spots.

5:13 p.m.: Truex leads the Championship 4. He's leading the race right now.

5:09 p.m.: Larson wins Stage 2.

5:03 p.m.: Back to green. Larson leads, Kyle Busch is in second.

5:01 p.m.: That's it for Danica Patrick and Stewart-Haas Racing.

4:50 p.m.: End of the race for Danica Patrick after a wreck.

4:45 p.m.: Kyle Busch is in second and leads championship drivers. Larson still leads the race.

4:37 p.m.: Kyle Busch made it into pit road. That was a close, close call.

4:32 p.m.: Kyle Busch is now the championship front-runner.

4:22 p.m.: Harvick is chasing down Larson, the leader.

4:20 p.m.: Harvick now leads the championship contenders.

4:16 p.m.: Stage 2 is underway.

4:07 p.m.: Kyle Larson wins Stage 1. The championship leader is Keselowski, who is in second.

3:52 p.m.: Truex just passed Harvick for third. Larson still leads, but Keselowski, Truex and Harvick are behind him.

3:37 p.m.: Truex's helmet features a picture of him and his girlfriend, Sherry Pollex.

3:27 p.m.: Top four: Larson, Keselowski, Kurt Busch, Truex.

3:17 p.m.: The title race is underway. Hear from Dale Earnhardt Jr. as he prepares for the final race of his career.

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