Kyle Larson accepted full accountability for the collision with Shane van Gisbergen during Stage 2 of the Autotrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta. The incident happened late in the stage when Larson, running third, misjudged van Gisbergen’s position and made a blocking move that led to the wreck.
On the final lap of Stage 2, Larson attempted a block in the bottom lane but failed to notice that van Gisbergen had already passed him. As Larson veered left, he collided with the No.97 Chevy driven by van Gisbergen. The impact caused Larson’s car to flip twice before crashing into the outside wall, while van Gisbergen managed to carry on through the infield grass.
After the crash, van Gisbergen’s team was able to repair the damage, allowing him to rejoin the race in 22nd place. Larson, however, was unable to restart his No.5 car and was forced to retire from the race, marking his first DNF of the 2026 Cup Series season.
Reflecting on the crash, Larson said,
“Yeah, just all my fault obviously. I just, in my brain, I knew the 45 had been inside of me and then you know, I got clear of him and I wanted to just cut distance and I guess the 97 was just out of my corner mirror. So yeah. I hung a left and then ran right into him.”
“I just didn’t realise that the 97 had ever gotten inside the 45, so just all my fault, hate it. Just need to listen more I guess, and not just react off what I feel sometimes,” he added via X/NASCAR on FOX.
Coming off a 16th-place finish at the Daytona 500 the previous weekend, Larson and the No.5 team are now looking ahead to the Circuit of the Americas, aiming to recover from this setback.
Larson Reflects on His Future with Hendrick Motorsports
Kyle Larson, who joined Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) in 2021 and quickly secured a Cup Series championship that same year, also spoke about his ongoing relationship with the team. After winning multiple championships and helping end Team Penske’s dominance in 2025, Larson feels secure about his long-term NASCAR future with Hendrick.
The team extended Larson’s contract through 2031 following the successful 2025 season, but the driver suggested that formal agreements aren’t necessary for his commitment. He remarked,
“I don’t need the contract to know that I’ll hopefully be there for the rest of my life. I don’t ever foresee a reason for me to even want to entertain you, you know, being a part of another group….maybe the lifetime contract will be the next one, but I’m not too worried about it,” he said.
Throughout his tenure at HMS, Larson has accumulated 26 race wins. Despite a winless 2025 playoff stretch, he frequently finished in the top-five and nearly won races at Las Vegas and the Charlotte Roval, demonstrating consistent performance.
Upcoming Challenges and Significance of Recent Events
Larson’s crash at EchoPark Speedway serves as a pivotal moment early in the 2026 Cup Series, testing the resilience of both the driver and Hendrick Motorsports. His willingness to accept fault openly highlights the pressure and split-second decisions that define NASCAR racing at the highest level.
As the series moves forward to the Circuit of the Americas, Larson and his team will be eager to bounce back from the disappointment in Atlanta. With his strong history of wins and championships, Kyle Larson remains a central figure in the Cup Series, with many anticipating how he will rebound in upcoming races and continue his pursuit of titles with Hendrick Motorsports.
"All my fault, obviously."- Kyle Larson pic.twitter.com/bc7e3SYJUe
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 22, 2026
