Kyle Larson and the No. 5 Chevrolet team arrive at the Charlotte Roval weekend holding third place in the Playoff standings, maintaining a 54-point cushion above the cutoff line. This event marks the final race in the Round of 12, where four NASCAR Cup Series drivers will be eliminated from postseason contention. With the stakes high, Larson emphasizes the need for bold moves as the playoff battles intensify.
Larson’s Approach to Navigating Playoff Rounds
Having made it to the Round of 8 for the past five years and advancing to the Final 4 in three of those seasons, Kyle Larson and his Hendrick Motorsports team are well-versed in the strategy needed to progress through the playoffs. In 2021, their carefully executed efforts culminated in Larson capturing his first Cup Series championship.
Larson spoke Saturday about increasing intensity as the playoffs advance.
“As you get into the next round, it’s time to turn the intensity up and take a little bit more risk,”
he said.
“I feel like our team has quietly been getting better for a while now. I feel like each week, we’re continuing to get better.”
He expressed enthusiasm for the remainder of the season, sharing,
“It’s exciting going to the track and it’s just an exciting time of year right now. It’s fun and hopefully we can keep elevating and be where we need to be come Martinsville.”
Reflecting on the current round’s progress, Larson noted consistency in race performance.
“This round has gone pretty well. I feel like both of the races have been pretty similar. Really, a few of the races have been similar where we’ve gotten a lot of stage points and then didn’t finish as high as we had run in the first two stages.”
He also acknowledged improvements in their execution.
“But, I feel like our speed has gotten better and I feel like we’re executing well.”
Larson’s previous playoff runs in 2021 and the prior season showed that strong performance and smart strategizing could secure wins and advance to the next playoff stage.
Balancing Risk-taking with Caution as Playoffs Intensify
Following the Charlotte Roval, the NASCAR Cup Series shifts to the unpredictable Talladega Superspeedway, a track where outcomes can hinge on the actions of other drivers. Larson highlighted the importance of carefully weighing every risk rather than making reckless decisions during this crucial phase of the Playoffs.
“I say risk taking, but you’re still calculating risk more,”
he explained.
“I feel like the first round, especially in our position and the playoff points we had, it’s like, just don’t take yourself out of it.”
He further outlined the delicate balance required in the Round of 8:
“Then, as you get to the Round of Eight, I just feel like you’ve only got one more step to get to race for a championship. Obviously, you don’t want to take too much risk and take yourself out of things, but you also don’t want to be too easy and feel like you give up a spot or two each stage.”
Emphasizing seizing opportunities when they arise, Larson added,
“Or if you have an opportunity for a win, I think it’s good to go for it.”
Teammate Chase Elliott’s Insight on Handling the Roval
Kyle Larson’s teammate at Hendrick Motorsports, Chase Elliott, is also a two-time winner of the Charlotte Roval race, having secured victories in both 2019 and 2020. Elliott has already secured advancement into the Round of 8 following his recent win at Kansas Speedway.
Speaking on Saturday about his approach to the Roval, Elliott stated,
“I think from my perspective behind the wheel, I’m still going to try and go and extract as much pace from the car as I can like I would have done anyway. But, yeah, just nice to not have to worry about that side of the fence, it’s such a nice thing when you come to these places, assuming you have good pace.”
He reflected on the challenges the Roval presents, describing it as a track lacking smooth flow.
“We’ve been coming here for a number of years now and I’ve said, really from the get-go, it’s a place that it doesn’t have a lot of flow to it. It’s a really choppy road course and it’s kind of a makeshift road course, and it is.”
Elliott elaborated on the difficulty in finding rhythm on the track:
“In a lot of ways, you know, having a rhythm and a flow is a really important piece of road racing, at least it is for me, and this is one of those places where it just doesn’t really come naturally. You kind of have to find that and create that and it’s hard to do. And I’ve had trips where I’ve been able to do that, and I’ve also had trips that I haven’t and it’s a challenge.”
What’s Next for Larson and the Playoffs
The Roval race will run a total of 109 laps and is scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, broadcast on USA TV and available on both NASCAR Radio Network and Sirius XM Radio Channel 90. As Larson continues to push for better results through measured risks, his success here will be pivotal in securing his position moving into the Round of 8 and beyond.
With the playoffs narrowing the field, Larson’s combination of strategic risk-taking and consistent performance will be crucial in his pursuit of another championship. As the season progresses, every stage and every decision could define the outcome for Larson, Hendrick Motorsports, and their Chevrolet team.
