Kyle Larson aims to build on his dominant victory at Kansas Speedway earlier this season as he prepares for the upcoming race next Sunday. After sweeping the pole, winning both stages, and clinching his first 2024 win at Kansas on May 11, Larson hopes to replicate that strong performance with renewed confidence following a solid outing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Reviewing Larson’s Dominance and Mid-Season Struggles
Larson’s triumph at Kansas marked his third victory of the year and showcased his commanding pace on the track. However, since that milestone, Larson’s performance has not maintained the same intensity. Across the 18 races following Kansas, he has been unable to add another win, securing only three top-five finishes and five additional top-10 results. This included a seventh-place finish in the opening Round of 12 playoff race at Loudon, his best playoff result so far.
Reflecting on his chances of repeating success at Kansas, Larson expressed cautious optimism. “I don’t know,” the Hendrick Motorsports driver said after New Hampshire’s race.
“I mean, I would love to think we can. But everybody’s kind of gotten their stuff better throughout the year, so you just never know when you go there.”
He added,
“All we can do is try to execute like we did this spring. It’s been a long time since I’ve been that dominant. So we’d love to go back there and do that again, but this series is so tough.”
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports driver
Encouraging Signs From Loudon Boost Larson’s Confidence
Larson’s recent seventh-place finish at Loudon was his strongest since finishing sixth at the regular-season finale in Daytona. Prior to New Hampshire, the early playoff results had been inconsistent, with finishes of 19th at Darlington, 12th at Gateway, and a disappointing 32nd at Bristol, putting pressure on Larson’s playoff standing.
Despite those setbacks, Larson viewed his Loudon race as a positive indicator for his momentum moving forward. Starting from 16th on the grid, he was able to make significant progress during the first half of the race.
The 2021 NASCAR Cup Champion stated,
“I think honestly the race went better than I expected it to, starting 16th. We were able to pass a lot of cars there in the first stage. I would say the first half of the race, I actually felt really, really good.”
Kyle Larson, 2021 NASCAR Cup Champion
As the track conditions changed, Larson admitted that his car began to lose grip, which affected his competitiveness toward the end of the race. Still, he was overall pleased with his progress and the points gained.
He explained,
“And then as the track kind of lost grip and I started kind of sliding the fronts more to the center and then also sliding the rears on exit, I just kind of lost a step of competitiveness. But all in all, I’m really, really happy with the day, to gain a decent amount on the cut line.”
Currently, Larson is positioned third in the standings, holding a 41-point cushion above the provisional Round of 8 cutoff, offering some security as he prepares for Kansas.
He expressed hope for continued improvement, saying,
“Obviously, you’d want to finish a little bit better, but it’s our best run of the playoffs so far. So I’m happy about that and look forward to Kansas. … We’re digging and I feel close.”
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports driver
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Larson at Kansas Speedway
Kyle Larson’s focus is now on replicating the dominance he displayed at Kansas Speedway in May, a track where he appears particularly comfortable and effective. With improved playoff results at Loudon and determination to fine-tune his performance as the postseason intensifies, Larson hopes to secure another victory that would strengthen his championship contention.
His proven ability to succeed on this track, combined with learning from recent races, suggests that Larson and Hendrick Motorsports will aim to optimize every aspect of their strategy for the next Kansas event. Fans can expect Larson to approach the race with passion and a competitive edge, making him a strong contender to watch as the NASCAR Cup Series advances deeper into its playoff rounds.
