Kyle Larson addressed the performance gap Hendrick Motorsports faces in short-track racing as the NASCAR playoffs continue, focusing on the upcoming race at World Wide Technology Raceway in Gateway. Larson acknowledged that his team’s setup is still trailing behind Team Penske’s on short-track circuits like Gateway and Phoenix, despite recent improvements.
After a disappointing run by Hendrick Motorsports at Darlington, questions arose about their competitiveness in forthcoming events, especially at Gateway this weekend. Larson, who participated in a tire test at Gateway earlier this year, recognized the track’s difficulty but admitted that HMS has yet to reach the competitive level of Penske’s short-track package.
“We had a great test at Gateway earlier this year, and that’s kind of led us down a different path with our short-track package here lately — and it seems to be better,” Larson said about it
“I would say we’re still not anywhere close to Penske, and we’ve gotten closer to Gibbs but we’ve gotten better, which is a plus. We still have a few more short tracks to go to kind of fine-tune our package and hopefully hit where we need to at Phoenix.”
Recent Winners Highlight Penske’s Strength at Gateway and Beyond
The World Wide Technology Raceway has been a stronghold for Team Penske in recent years, with Joey Logano winning in 2022 and Austin Cindric taking the checkered flag in 2024. However, the 2023 race was won by Kyle Busch, driving for Richard Childress Racing. These results underscore the competitive environment Larson and Hendrick Motorsports face as they aim to close the gap.
Kyle Larson entered the playoffs carrying a 26-point gain and currently sits third with a 38-point lead, keeping him safe from elimination for now. Meanwhile, teammate Alex Bowman remains at risk, positioned below the cutline heading into the next rounds.
Larson Hopes for Momentum Building at Gateway Leading to Phoenix
Looking ahead, Larson expressed cautious optimism about improving at Gateway this weekend. He sees a strong performance here as a potential boost for the critical Phoenix race in November, which will decide the NASCAR Cup Series Championship.
“We’ve been really bad at Gateway but a little bit better at Phoenix,” Larson said. “If we can be good at Gateway in the same ballpark as [Penske and Gibbs], that would give us some confidence going to Phoenix.”
The Enjoy Illinois 300 at Gateway is scheduled for September 7 at 3 PM ET, while the championship-deciding race at Phoenix will take place on November 2, making both events crucial for Hendrick Motorsports’ championship ambitions.
Significance of Short-Track Performance for Hendrick Motorsports’ Playoff Run
The gap in short-track performance between Hendrick Motorsports and Team Penske presents a critical challenge as the playoffs advance. Larson’s candid remarks highlight HMS’s ongoing efforts to refine their racing package to stay competitive against top teams like Penske and Joe Gibbs Racing. Improving at tracks like Gateway and Phoenix could prove pivotal in strengthening Larson’s campaign for the championship, especially as the playoffs narrow the field toward the final race.
