MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- With NASCAR history waiting to be made Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, Kyle Larson acknowledges being tempted by the tantalizing possibility of wrapping up the Cup Series title.

But he isn't counting on becoming the first driver in 23 years to clinch the championship before the season finale.

"There are some really good drivers here, so I don't anticipate clinching anything," Larson said Saturday before practice and qualifying at Martinsville. "I just want to have a good day and not give up too much before next week.

"It's tough not to look at that and see what could be done this weekend, but what our team does really well is staying focused. Not being too relaxed but also trying not to put too much pressure on yourself. That is what has pushed us through the Chase."

Larson has pushed his championship rivals to the brink with two races remaining.

The Hendrick Motorsports star opened a 73-point lead over Denny Hamlin with a last-lap rally for his first victory at Talladega Superspeedway, his third win through eight of 10 races in the Chase.

If Larson leaves Martinsville with a 77-point margin, he will be assured of a second consecutive Cup title and his third overall. According to NASCAR analytics firm Racing Insights, Larson is a 92.3% favorite to win the championship this season, which will conclude Nov. 8 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Only seven of 16 drivers in the Chase remain eligible for the title, and only three are within 100 points of Larson: Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Hamlin, Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe.