Kyle Larson already has a NASCAR Cup Series title under his belt, and now the 2021 champ is the first driver to lock his way into NASCAR's championship race after winning Sunday's South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Larson held off a hard-charging Christopher Bell by 0.082-second to take the victory.

But ultimately it was a moment near the end of the second stage that might be the biggest moment of Larson's 2023 Playoffs. The newly crowned High Limit Sprint Car Series champion put his dirt racing experience to good use. Larson's car kicked sideways out of turn two in the closing laps of the second stage and he drifted sideways seemingly out of control before recovering. Larson then went on to win the stage and eventually the race to lock his way into the finale at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, November 5.

Video: Kyle Larson Makes Potential 'Season Saving' Save at Las Vegas

Yet another @KyleLarsonRacin save! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/XQ4RHGGABD

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 15, 2023

Larson led the most laps on Sunday with 133, but had to deal with his longtime dirt racing rival Bell in the closing stages. Bell charged from more than a second back to get right to Larson's bumper coming to the checkered flag. After narrowly missing out on a lock-in, Bell heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway two points below the cut line.

This guy just won the stage pic.twitter.com/Ubonloo12O

— Alan Cavanna (@AlanCavanna) October 15, 2023

The victory gives Larson his second championship four appearance in the last two years. It is also Larson's second win of the Playoffs and fourth win of the 2023 season. Larson also eclipsed 1,000 laps led for the season on Sunday, becoming the first driver to lead more than 1,000 laps in a season in the Next Gen era so far.

Larson has had a week to remember as he became the inaugural High Limit Sprint Car Series champion on Tuesday, getting the best of a battle with his long-time friend, Rico Abreu. Larson then immediately went to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for his Rookie Orientation Program on Thursday. It was Larson's first time in an Arrow McLaren IndyCar on-track at the historic 2.5-mile oval. Larson completed the program and is now allowed to attempt to qualify for the 2024 Indianapolis 500 as Larson looks to become the fifth driver to complete the Memorial Day Double by running the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in the same day.

Bell's late rally isn't enough! @KyleLarsonRacin wins at @LVMotorSpeedway! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/nLiBHGxrdk

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 15, 2023

Winning Sunday's race at Las Vegas is a big deal because of the lock-in factor. The winner of the first race of the Round of Eight has gone on to win the championship in three of the last six years. Larson won the first race in the Round of Eight in 2021 when he went on to win his first Cup Series championship.

After finishing seventh, William Byron heads to Homestead nine points above the cut line. Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin are tied just two points above the cut line after finishing ninth and tenth respectively.

Joining Bell below the cut line is Tyler Reddick. Reddick is 16 points below the line after an eighth-place finish. Ryan Blaney is 17 points below the line after finishing sixth on Sunday, and Chris Buescher is 23 points below the line after an 11th-place run on Sunday in Las Vegas.

The Round of Eight continues on Sunday, October 22 at Homestead-Miami Speedway and then concludes at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, October 29.

UPDATE: Ryan Blaney was disqualified for a post-race technical infraction. He is now scored as finishing 36th and forfeited all accrued stage points. Blaney now is 56 points below the cut line heading to Homestead.