Kyle Larson faced a surprising post-race inspection following his impressive fastest lap performance at Watkins Glen during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series. This inspection, described by officials as random, came after Larson overcame early brake difficulties to secure the fastest lap point, raising questions about NASCAR’s scrutiny processes.
Unexpected Post-Race Check on Larson’s Car Raises Questions
During the Watkins Glen race, Kyle Larson struggled with a brake issue early on but managed to claim the fastest lap with a time of 73.203 seconds after repairs made in the garage. This swift turnaround mirrored a similar occurrence earlier in the season at Mexico City, where Larson’s car also recorded the fastest lap following repairs. However, NASCAR’s decision to pull Larson’s car for a random post-race inspection at Watkins Glen surprised many fans and analysts.
As discussed by hosts on Hauler Talk, the inspection was not routine for every fastest lap winner but was specifically prompted by the similarity between this event and the previous Mexico City instance. One host explained,
“Oddly enough, this happened again with the same car, and the same car got the fastest lap. So we’re not going to inspect every fastest lap point winner… but we felt that, this might be a good opportunity — same situation. Almost exactly, they were in the garage for far or less time that they were in Mexico City.”
This pointed to possible suspicions regarding unsupervised repairs, even though NASCAR officials were present during the work.
Inspection Results and NASCAR’s Vigilance on Brake Modifications
NASCAR’s scrutiny of Larson’s car followed concerns raised by previous incidents where teams might exploit damage repair rules to gain speed advantages. Criticism from figures such as Steve Wart has questioned whether some teams could manipulate damage policies. Nonetheless, Larson’s car successfully passed through the Optical Scanning Station, Underbody Scanning Station, and weight checks during the inspection.
The car’s clean inspection prevented disqualification and allowed Larson to keep the fastest lap point he earned. This episode recalls a notable 2017 penalty against Larson for an illegal rear brake cooling assembly, which resulted in a 35-point deduction and crew chief suspension. NASCAR’s history of monitoring brake modifications closely illustrates the sport’s intent to maintain fairness.
One of the Hauler Talk hosts reassured listeners,
“Just to make sure everything was cool, we did tag them as the random, and everything was fine,”
further adding that Larson’s team had communicated with Brad Moran, NASCAR’s managing director, during repairs, confirming “everything was fine,” although the thorough inspection was carried out to eliminate any doubts.
Kevin Harvick Highlights Concerns Over Larson’s Current Form
As the NASCAR playoffs approach, Larson’s struggles have drawn attention from fellow drivers, including Kevin Harvick, who expressed concern about Larson’s recent performance slump. On his show, Harvick observed,
“Now, the No. 5 didn’t have the finishes that they want, but they had the speed. I haven’t seen the speed out of the No. 5 that I’ve seen out of the No. 24.”
This remark highlighted a noticeable drop in Larson’s speed and consistency compared to his Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron.
Harvick traced the beginning of Larson’s difficulties to his crash during the Double Duty Indy 500 event in May, saying,
“I think when you look back at it, it’s still the issues started at Indy. I mean, you can definitely point back to where the slump started. They obviously haven’t gotten out of it yet.”
Since then, Larson has managed just three top-five finishes and suffered five results of 28th or worse, including a last-place finish at Watkins Glen.
Despite winning three races this season and securing a playoff spot, Larson’s inconsistency risks undermining his competitiveness in the postseason, especially on tracks like Richmond where he has historically excelled. Harvick also emphasized Hendrick Motorsports’ strong leadership and resilience during tough periods, commenting,
“Hendrick Motorsports has a great way of navigating the downs to be able to keep their people engaged and motivated, just from good business practices more than anything, and management and good leadership.”
He noted the commitment of Larson’s crew, adding,
“No matter how many times that No. 5 car has been in a garage, you see those guys under the hood, digging, trying to fix the car to get back out on the racetrack.”
These remarks highlight both the pressure on Larson to regain form and the team’s determination to rebound as the playoffs near.
Implications of Heightened Scrutiny in the Final Stretch of the Season
The decision to target Larson’s car for a random post-race inspection at Watkins Glen underscores NASCAR’s strict measures to maintain competitive integrity, especially when unusual circumstances arise, such as a rapid recovery after repairs leading to the fastest lap. While the inspection cleared Larson, it has fueled speculation over whether top drivers are being unfairly scrutinized or if such oversight is necessary given past controversies.
With the playoffs imminent, Larson’s ability to overcome both mechanical challenges and the weight of increased examination will significantly influence his title prospects. Meanwhile, the attention on his performance and the legitimacy of his race pace will likely continue, amplifying the tension within the NASCAR Cup Series as the championship battle intensifies.
