Kyle Larson, the driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, has publicly expressed his readiness as the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs approach. With the NASCAR Playoffs 2025 set to begin, Larson emphasized his team‘s strengths while acknowledging potential challenges that lie ahead during this crucial phase of the season.
Key Strengths and Preparedness of Larson’s Team
During a recent media session, Larson talked at length about what makes his team a strong contender. He highlighted the team‘s consistent speed and their comprehensive preparedness, developed through experiences faced throughout the summer racing schedule. Larson stated that the team has encountered various situations and gained valuable knowledge to handle diverse conditions, which bolsters their confidence as they head into the 10-week playoff stretch.
Tracks Presenting Challenges and Team Improvements
Although confident in many areas, Larson acknowledged certain tracks pose challenges, particularly shorter, flatter circuits such as Gateway and New Hampshire. He expressed unease about these venues being part of the playoff schedule but also noted that the team has improved their performance on these track styles recently. Referencing past races at Iowa, Richmond, and other similar tracks, Larson pointed out that multiple Hendrick Motorsports drivers, including William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Alex Bowman, have shown competitive speed, which provides optimism. Still, he recognizes the need for continued improvement as the playoffs progress.
“Yeah, I think still the shorter, flatter tracks, so seeing Gateway and New Hampshire in the playoffs is not something that I was thrilled about. But I do think we’ve made our package better on that style of track. You know, I look at Iowa – we were fast and William (Byron) won. Chase (Elliott) was fast. Alex (Bowman) was fast. When we went to Richmond, we were all really good again. Alex finished second, and I think I was in sixth. Chase was probably one of the best cars that night. William was good, as well. I do think we’ve gotten our cars better on those places, but we still need to probably be better. We’ll see when we get to Gateway and New Hampshire.”
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Playoff Dynamics and Driver Strategies
Asked about how elimination formats affect drivers’ approaches, Larson downplayed any noticeable changes, observing that drivers generally focus on racing to the best of their ability regardless of the circumstances. He noted that while some drivers might make more aggressive calls in must-win scenarios, such differences are not drastic. Regarding a past incident at Daytona involving Erik Jones, Larson stated that no direct contact had occurred yet but that he remains open to discussing the matter if Jones wishes.
“I don’t know… I don’t really notice anything being different. We’re just out there racing. We’re all trying to do the best job we can. And then, yeah, sometimes drivers get into must-win situations and you’ll see different pit calls and stuff. But outside of that, you don’t really see it be too different.”
—Kyle Larson, Driver
“No, I haven’t spoken to him. No, but I’m open to it or at least to hear if he wanted to hear where I was coming from.”
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Reflection on Past Races and Team Momentum
When discussing recent performances, Larson reflected on the momentum his team has built, especially with back-to-back top-10 finishes at Richmond and Daytona. Noting that certain tracks, like Richmond, are less conducive to leading many laps, he emphasized the value of consistent finishes and avoiding crashes as the playoffs begin. He identified Darlington Raceway as a particularly promising venue, where his team has performed well historically, setting a positive tone for the initial playoff races.
“I do think we’re. I would love to have been leading a bunch of laps, but Richmond’s not really the place that we’re going to go lead laps anyways and Daytona’s just a different style race. But it still was good to get two solid finishes in a row and get through another superspeedway without a crash.”
“And then, it leads into Darlington, which is a great track for us. So yeah, I look forward to getting the playoffs started. I think our team has been through a lot. I think we’ve seen a bunch and we’re prepared for a lot of different things.”
“But we’ll see. You just have to go out there and execute like any other week.”
Intensity of Playoff Racing Compared to Regular Season
Larson offered insights into how competition changes during the playoffs. Contrary to the perception that playoff racing may be more desperate or chaotic, he believes the intensity actually calms somewhat since drivers are focused on finishing strong to advance. He explained that pit strategy might become more aggressive as cutoff races approach, but overall, many drivers prioritize safe, calculated racing. He also mentioned that teams not in the playoffs often exhibit more give-and-take on track when competing against playoff contenders.
“Honestly, in my opinion, I feel like the racing has always calmed down a little bit once you get to the playoffs because everybody’s so conscious of finishing and trying to just get the best finish possible that day. Obviously, when you get to the cutoff races and stuff, maybe it might ramp up a little bit, or teams’ pit calls might get a little bit more desperate. But I feel like it kind of calms down because we’re trying to finish. Other teams that aren’t in the playoffs recognize that we’re racing for something and sometimes there’s a little bit more give and take. But it’s still ultra-aggressive. I mean, it’s Next Gen racing, but I do believe it dials back a little bit.”
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Familiar Tracks Bring Confidence to Playoffs
Having several familiar tracks included in the playoff schedule is a positive for Larson and his team. He noted that many of these circuits, including Bristol, have been strong suits for Hendrick Motorsports. Starting the playoffs on tracks where they expect to be fast can generate valuable momentum by enabling the team to compete for wins and accumulate playoff points early. Larson expressed hope that this familiarity will help his team build confidence and position themselves well for the later rounds.
“Yeah, I think there’s definitely a number of tracks in the playoffs that we know we’ll be fast at. You don’t ever know, but you assume you’re going to be fast at them. It’s good to have those tracks, especially in the first round, to get our feet under us; get running strong, hopefully lead in laps and challenging for wins. Gaining some more playoff points would be great leading into the next rounds.”
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Length and Focus During the Long Playoff Run
Larson described the 10-week playoff timeline as feeling lengthy, pointing out that momentum can shift significantly during that time. He suggested that the driver leading at the start may not remain the favorite by the final weeks, highlighting how performance and opportunities can evolve. Regarding focus, he emphasized that competitiveness and the stakes involved make sustaining attention less challenging than it might seem to viewers, with the playoffs resembling a high-pressure mini-series within the broader season.
“Yeah, definitely feels long. Not that it feels long, but I feel like the favorite to start the playoffs might not necessarily be the favorite seven weeks from now. It feels so long. The sport still changes a lot and momentum can change quite a bit.”
—Kyle Larson, Driver
On the difficulty of maintaining focus throughout:
“Yeah, I mean, at least from the competitor’s standpoint, I don’t think it’s hard to keep your focus because there’s a lot on the line. It’s kind of a three-week mini-series within the 10 weeks.”
Strategic Edge from Crew Chief Cliff Daniels
Kyle Larson gave credit to his crew chief Cliff Daniels for excelling in strategy decisions, especially regarding in-race adjustments and pit stop timing. Larson recounted scenarios like the Mexico race where their ability to fix and adapt the car under pressure helped secure the top seed in the playoffs. He described the team’s persistence and resilience, which distinguishes them in critical moments when quick decisions determine race outcomes.
“I don’t know. I mean, we just never give up, really. It’s not that others, I don’t think, are aware of that. You know, I think people are — if you go to the DVP and can fix your car, I feel like nine times out of ten, teams are doing that. It’s just happened to where our car is still drivable and fast enough to go for that stuff. Like Watkins Glen was a brake fitting. In Mexico, we got smashed, but thankfully our car was driving okay and we were able to go out and get the fast lap. So, yeah, it is cool that it paid off because you don’t know if those little moments are going to pay off, but it was neat that it did.”
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Mastering Fuel Strategy in Superspeedway Races
Fuel conservation is a key skill Larson has honed throughout his career, especially on superspeedways. While some fans have only recently become aware of fuel-saving tactics due to advanced telemetry and broadcast technologies, Larson explained that managing fuel has always been a crucial part of racing strategy. He mentioned that both he and teammate Chase Elliott are particularly mindful of fuel use to maximize green flag pit strategies and maintain competitive advantages.
“No, I mean, I don’t know. I guess over time, you get the hang of it. A lot of people act like we’ve never saved fuel before on superspeedways, but as long as I’ve ever been in NASCAR, we’ve always been saving fuel, it’s just now we have SMT and TVs can look at it and stuff, so it’s just a topic. But yeah, we’ve all been saving fuel at those places for over 10 years now, at least in my career.”
—Kyle Larson, Driver
“Yeah, I mean, I guess. I will say, at least for the Chevys, we have the key partners’ stuff that we study. I would say Chase and myself are the most conscious about fuel savings, at least having enough fuel on board to have a short pit stop for the green flag cycle. So that’s really all it is.”
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Fuel Mileage’s Role in Playoffs and Race Outcomes
Fuel mileage has influenced many races during the season, but Larson indicated that its presence varies depending on how races unfold. While drivers often consider fuel when planning pit stops, not all races end as fuel mileage contests; cautions and race incidents can alter strategies significantly. Therefore, he regards fuel as an important but circumstantial aspect, emphasizing the unpredictability inherent in motorsports.
“I think at some point in the race, I feel like fuel is always kind of on your mind because you’re setting up for the next pit stop or whatever the case may be. But yeah, I don’t know if that was a circumstance. I think it was kind of circumstantial that a lot of those races have fuel savings on the final to run to the end.”
“But I don’t know. If a race goes straightforward, it’s not going to be that way. But you just never know when cautions are going to fall.”
Assessment of Key Competitors: Christopher Bell
Larson spoke highly of Christopher Bell as a competitor, noting his racecraft, intelligence, and ability to perform especially well during the playoffs. Bell‘s knack for closing out races when it matters most—such as past wins at Homestead, the Roval, and Martinsville—sets him apart as a consistent threat. Larson respects Bell’s dual experience in NASCAR and dirt racing, acknowledging that Bell’s success makes him a formidable opponent.
“Yeah, he’s an extremely great race car driver; very smart and calculated in the NASCAR stuff and dirt stuff. I mean, he’s always been good on dirt. But NASCAR, especially in the playoffs, it seems he’s been like a closer, you know? He’s won when he’s needed to. I’m thinking of like a Homestead or something, you know, he’s quietly been mid-pack during the race, and then boom, there he is at the end winning or whatever the case may be. I think he’s done it at the Roval before and Martinsville. He’s a threat everywhere.”
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Kyle Larson’s Role Beyond Racing: Series Promotion Success
Beyond his driving career, Larson has found success as a promoter for the High Limit sprint car series. He highlighted the progress made in expanding the series and the promise of a new franchise system launching next year. Larson expressed enthusiasm about upcoming events and the continued growth of sprint car racing, crediting the efforts of his team, including Brad Sweet, for the positive trajectory within the sport.
“Yeah, it’s been a great year for High Limit. It’s just cool to see the growth of our series and sprint car racing. I think we just have a long way to go still. You know, our franchise system hasn’t been fully implemented yet. It’ll start next year. I’m curious to see what teams will look at that and want to come race with us. We’re continuing to add big events and everything.”
“But to this point, yeah, it’s been great. I think our team has done a really good job. Brad (Sweet) has put in a ton of effort, as well as everybody at High Limit. So, yeah, it’s great, and we look forward to the future.”
