LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 06: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, speaks with Clint Bowyer, driver of the #15 5-hour Energy Toyota, on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 6, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

A non playoff driver upsets championship contenders by winning a stage at Texas


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A few weeks ago, Kyle Larson was among the favorites to win his first Cup Series championship. But engine failure eliminated Larson from the postseason in the final race in the Round of 12, and it left Larson and his team wondering would could have been for the season.

Despite the championship hopes being over, Larson hasn't given up on the season, and he won Stage 2 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Related: Championship contender passes Kyle Larson late to win Stage 1 at Texas

Larson was in position to win the first stage, but Kevin Harvick took the stage win with a late surge.

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Harvick finished second in Stage 2, followed by Ryan Blaney, Martin Truex Jr. and Chase Elliott.

Jimmie Johnson, who holds the record for most wins at Texas and won in the spring, has struggled throughout the day and is three laps down.

Larson might not hold on to win the race, but he's proven he isn't going to simply fold it in and quit on the season.

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