Kyle Larson arrives at Kansas Speedway this weekend as a strong contender aiming to clinch a Round of 8 berth in the NASCAR Cup Series. The Hendrick Motorsports driver has not won since May, yet Kansas is where he last celebrated a Cup Series victory, highlighting his hopes for Kyle Larson Kansas success.
Larson’s Past Performance Sets High Expectations at Kansas
Kyle Larson has demonstrated impressive results at the 1.5-mile tri-oval in Kansas, boasting three wins at the track, including two in his last three starts there. His consistent performances include finishing inside the top 10 in seven of his last eight Kansas races, which bodes well for his efforts this weekend. Aside from his Kansas record, Larson’s experience and ability to lead laps at this venue provide him with a crucial advantage as he fights to maintain his championship hopes.
The Challenge of Regaining Momentum This Season
Larson’s 2025 season has been inconsistent. He achieved three wins in the first 12 races and maintained an average finish of 9.8, but his performance has dipped since May. His most dominant showing was at the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas, where he led 221 of 267 laps to capture victory. However, after that race, Larson has led only 126 laps and managed just three top-five finishes. This slowdown in form has added pressure as the playoffs advance.
“Back in May, Kyle Larson led 221 of 267 laps on his way to a Kansas win that was his third in the first 12 races of 2025. Since then he’s led just 126 laps and only has three top five finishes,”
tweeted Steven Taranto on September 26, 2025.
Mixed Results and Setbacks in Recent Races
Among the significant setbacks this season, Larson crashed early at the Indianapolis 500, finishing 24th, and suffered another crash at Charlotte, resulting in a 37th place finish at the Coca-Cola 600 despite leading 34 laps. Since that disappointing night at Charlotte, Larson has failed to win and has posted only three top-five finishes in 18 races, with an average finish of 17.4 that ranks him 14th in the Cup Series standings.
Signs of Recovery and Growing Consistency
Still, there are encouraging signs Larson is regaining his form. Two of his three top-five finishes after Charlotte occurred in the last ten races, and he has led 56 laps in those recent events—more than in the previous 14 races combined. His driver rating at Loudon recently reached 107.1, marking his second score above 100 in three events, and his five-race average rating has climbed to 92.7, the highest since early June. Although this does not match his spring peak of 115.5, it shows a positive trend in his performance.
The Importance of Kansas for Larson’s Playoff Hopes
With his strong history at Kansas and the upswing in his recent race metrics, Larson’s focus on securing a victory at the tri-oval is clear. Winning at Kansas would guarantee his spot in the Round of 8, making this event critical for extending his championship run. His ability to leverage past wins and improve consistency could allow him to overcome the challenges that have plagued the latter part of his season.
The outcome at Kansas will weigh heavily on Larson’s playoff future and could serve as a turning point for closing out the 2025 season strongly amid a highly competitive field.
Back in May, Kyle Larson led 221 of 267 laps on his way to a Kansas win that was his third in the first 12 races of 2025.
Since then he's led just 126 laps and only has three top five finishes. pic.twitter.com/dqtcCMCpZv
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) September 26, 2025
