Denny Hamlin has named Kyle Larson among the frontrunners likely to shine in the upcoming playoff race at Kansas Speedway. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver highlighted Larson’s skill in maintaining speed along the top lane, a crucial advantage on the fast, 1.5-mile Wyandotte County track. This observation places Larson as a strong candidate to make a significant impact during the Denny Hamlin Kansas Playoffs event.
Kyle Larson’s expertise on intermediate tracks is well established. The Hendrick Motorsports driver has a history of success at Kansas, including a win during the spring race and two additional victories at this venue. Notably, Larson holds the best winning percentage of 28.5% and an average finishing position of 6.3 in the Next Gen Era at Kansas, underscoring his consistent competitiveness there.
Recent Struggles Despite Larson’s Past Performance
Despite his strong track record at Kansas, Larson has struggled recently. Since a difficult attempt at the Indy-Charlotte doubleheader, he has not secured a victory. While Larson often qualifies near the front of the pack, his race finishes have not matched those starting positions. His performance in the playoffs has been underwhelming, with only a single top-10 finish—a seventh place at New Hampshire—so far.
Still, Hamlin remains confident about Larson’s prospects at Kansas.
“There are certainly guys that are better at it than others, and we’re going to see that. There are just guys like Larson who know how to run the top lane there as good as anyone, and they can carry a car better than most drivers,” he said via Jayski.com
Larson shared his perspective on the dynamics of running the top lane at a 1.5-mile track, emphasizing the flexibility it offers during a race.
“For the most part, everyone runs the top, but I feel like at the end of the run you can kind of move around and find some grip. It’s probably our best track for Next Gen racing because of the options.”
Hamlin’s Recent Kansas Performance and Playoff Standings
Denny Hamlin’s latest outing at Kansas was marred by misfortune as he was forced to retire, one of seven drivers who did not finish the race. Currently, Hamlin ranks fifth in the playoff standings, holding a 27-point lead over Larson, who is positioned just ahead of him. The points gap between them heightens the intensity as the playoffs progress toward decisive rounds.
Hamlin Lays Out Playoff Goals for 23XI Racing
In a recent appearance on Actions Detrimental, Denny Hamlin discussed the playoff objectives for 23XI Racing. As the team owner, he stressed the importance of accumulating consistent points through the next two playoff rounds, as relying on a victory alone may not suffice to advance.
“You can go out there, and you can have yourself a 50-point day at Kansas, and next thing you know, I bet you’re going to be minus five, or what’s maybe flat,” he said via X/DirtyMoMedia.
“They need a 50 point day and then they need to follow that up at the next track with a 35 point day and I think they have a chance,” Denny Hamlin added.
The pressure on 23XI Racing is considerable, with drivers Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick recently facing setbacks at the Mobil 1 301 held at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Both finished outside the top-20, with Reddick placing 21st and earning a top-10 finish in Stage 1. However, their overall points totals have left them near the playoff cutoff, with Reddick 23 points below the line and Wallace 27 points behind.
Implications for the Kansas Playoffs and Next Steps
Denny Hamlin’s endorsement of Kyle Larson as a key contender adds a layer of anticipation ahead of the Kansas Speedway playoff race, where driver skill in managing tire wear and track position will be pivotal. Larson’s proven history at this track, combined with Hamlin’s strategic insights on playoff consistency, underscores how critical the upcoming races will be for drivers and teams aiming to advance.
As the playoff battles tighten, drivers like Hamlin, Larson, Wallace, and Reddick face mounting pressure to deliver strong performances that can either solidify their chances or leave them at risk of elimination. The outcomes at Kansas and the subsequent rounds will likely determine the trajectory for these competitors as the NASCAR playoff season progresses.
