Kyle Larson from Hendrick Motorsports expressed confidence ahead of the Round of 12 race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, believing that his team is on the verge of improving their results despite early struggles. Larson Hendrick Motorsports have faced challenges in the initial Round of 16 playoff races but remain determined to regain their winning form moving forward.
Early Playoff Challenges for Hendrick Motorsports
During the opening phase of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, known as the Round of 16, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Toyota cars dominated by winning all three contests. In contrast, drivers from Hendrick Motorsports had difficulty securing strong finishes. At Bristol Motor Speedway, Larson finished 32nd, Chase Elliott was 38th, William Byron placed 12th, and Alex Bowman came in 8th. Unfortunately, Bowman did not advance to the Round of 12, highlighting the team’s collective struggles so far.
Denny Hamlin, driving the #11 Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing, leads the playoff points with a 26-point advantage over the cutoff. Meanwhile, Larson is optimistic about improving at the upcoming New Hampshire race, emphasizing that his team has been quietly progressing despite mixed qualifying results. Speaking to media after practice, he stated:
“I feel like we are really close and capable of getting back to form. Um, you know there’s times throughout weekends and races where, you know, it might not show up on TV or on, you know, the results, but I feel like we’re good. So, um, feel like we’ve quietly been making progress, but um, yeah, then we qualify bad.”
— Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports driver
Larson also mentioned his performance in practice sessions:
“So, it’s like every time I feel like we’re going to, you make a step in the right direction, we don’t, um, quite get it. But, we’re only through qualifying, so we still have the race tomorrow. Like I said, I thought my car was okay in practice.”
— Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports driver
For the Mobil 1 301 race scheduled on Sunday, September 21, 2025, Larson qualified in 16th position. His Hendrick teammates earned varied starting spots: Elliott at 27th, Byron at 5th, and Bowman at 7th. The 318.46-mile race will be broadcast live beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Time on USA, PRN, HBO Max, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Kyle Larson Reflects on Bristol Motor Speedway Challenges
Reflecting on the recent Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Larson discussed the difficulties drivers face on this short oval. In an appearance on NASCAR’s Inside the Race podcast with analyst Mamba Smith, Larson outlined the complex handling demands on this track, especially the challenge of managing car balance through tight turns. He said:
“If your car is not handling right, you know, if you’re too tight, you know, then you’re trying to create different angles or different speeds and different points, and it becomes just really difficult. Same if you’re too loose, too. I mean, it’s not a fun place to be kind of bouncing on your right rear through one and two and just being sharp and on the edge of you losing grip,”
— Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports driver
These remarks underline the technical challenges that Bristol poses to drivers, reinforcing why the track often produces unpredictable outcomes. Larson, originally from Elk Grove, California, currently ranks third in the Cup Series playoff standings. This season, he has accumulated 3,032 points over 29 race starts, earning three victories, sixteen top-ten finishes, eleven top-five placings, and one pole position.
Playoff Outlook and Team Prospects
Kyle Larson’s steady presence and optimistic outlook provide a boost to Hendrick Motorsports as they advance deeper into the playoffs. Despite a difficult start following Joe Gibbs Racing’s sweeping Round of 16 victories, Larson’s remarks suggest the team is evolving and learning from on-track challenges. His and his teammates’ qualifying positions at New Hampshire set up a potentially stronger showing as the team seeks to gain momentum in the Round of 12.
Given the competitive nature of the playoffs and the demanding race venues ahead, this period will be critical for Larson Hendrick Motorsports. Advancing further could rely on consistent race performance improvements and strategic adaptability. Fans and observers will be watching closely to see if Larson’s confidence in a turnaround translates to better finishes and possible wins in the upcoming events.
