Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson delivered a strong performance at the Bank of ROVAL 400 held on October 5, 2025, at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course. Reflecting on the intense competition, Larson spoke highly of Shane van Gisbergen, the Trackhouse Racing driver who ultimately won the race, highlighting the fierce battle on the Charlotte track.
Larson, driving the #5 Chevy Camaro ZL1, qualified fourth for the 109-lap event, posting a fastest lap time of 86.31 seconds and reaching a top speed of 95.10 mph around the 2.28-mile road course. Meanwhile, van Gisbergen secured the second spot in qualifying, with an even quicker lap of 85.97 seconds and a top speed of 95.47 mph.
During stage one, van Gisbergen led the pack, crossing the stage conclusion in first place with Larson close behind in second. Both drivers slipped to fifth and sixth respectively during stage two, but Larson fought back in the final stage to take control of the race. Despite leading for 27 laps, Larson was unable to fend off van Gisbergen’s dominance, as the Trackhouse Racing driver led 57 laps in total to claim victory.
After the race, Larson expressed his respect for van Gisbergen’s skill and speed in a post-race interview with NBC Sports. He said,
“I’m happy with a second-place finish for this No. 5 Chevrolet team. Shane van Gisbergen is just so good. It was a fun battle with Christopher (Bell), too. To start the final stage, we were trying to break up his (SVG) rhythm and race, and I thought it was playing out well. He was just so fast. I tried riding. I tried saving my tires, but I just can’t do it as well as he does. But overall, it was a great finish and momentum to head into the Round of Eight.” – Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports driver
With his second-place finish, Larson secured a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series playoff Round of Eight. He currently holds third place in the playoff standings, maintaining a narrow four-point lead over the cutoff threshold as the postseason advances.
Kyle Larson Shares Influential Figures on His Mount Rushmore List
Before the Charlotte ROVAL race, Larson appeared on the Stacking Pennies podcast hosted by part-time Spire Motorsports driver Corey LaJoie. During the conversation, Larson revealed the racing legends who have inspired him throughout his career, sharing the personalities that shaped his approach to the sport.
He started with Jeff Gordon, a former NASCAR Cup Series champion whom he described as his “guy” growing up. Larson also mentioned Tony Stewart, a former Cup Series champion now active in the NHRA Series, highlighting Stewart’s impact on his racing journey. He further praised sprint car racers Joey Saldana and Jac Haudenschild, whose versatile careers influenced his desire to excel in multiple racing disciplines.
Additionally, Larson named Mario Gabriele Andretti and Rufus Parnell Jones as part of his personal Mount Rushmore of racing icons. Reflecting on this list, he said,
“Yeah. Uh, well, Jeff Gordon was always my guy growing up. Um, so I’m sure I was nervous meeting him… Tony was that guy… But I don’t know. I was, I was always, uh, I loved, you know, I liked Joey Saldana, Jac Haudenschild. Um, you know, obviously, um, you know, I knew from an early age like I wanted to be versatile. So, Mario Parnelli, like, I definitely idolized kind of those guys and what they did.” – Kyle Larson, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Season Overview: Kyle Larson’s Performance and Impact Going Forward
This season, Larson has demonstrated impressive consistency, accumulating three victories, 19 top-ten finishes, and 12 top-fives across 32 starts. He also earned a pole position at Kansas Speedway, showcasing strong qualifying speed alongside competitive race pace. His steady form throughout the year has solidified him as one of the leading contenders in the Cup Series heading into the critical playoff stages.
As the NASCAR postseason progresses, Larson’s near-win at the Charlotte ROVAL and his respectful acknowledgment of competitors like Shane van Gisbergen emphasize both his determination and ability to push the boundaries in high-pressure road course events. Maintaining momentum and refining race strategies will be crucial as Larson aims to convert his promising finishes into championship success.
