Kyle Larson currently holds a substantial points lead heading into the NASCAR playoffs, virtually ensuring his advancement into the Round of 8. However, the upcoming race at the Charlotte road course, also known as the Roval, presents a significant challenge due to Larson’s ongoing struggles on road courses this season, putting his championship aspirations at risk if the pattern continues.
Larson has claimed three victories so far in the 2025 season, building a 54-point cushion that practically guarantees his place in the next stage of the playoffs. Notably, he won the previous event held at the Charlotte Roval, dominating 62 laps in that 109-lap race. Despite this, his performance on road courses this year has been unexpectedly poor, with the lowest average finish among full-time NASCAR Cup Series drivers at 31st place.
This inconsistency at road courses could severely weaken Larson’s strong position going into the final playoff rounds. While his points advantage has carried him into the Round of 12, securing a spot in the championship final four will demand a turnaround on these difficult tracks. To maintain a viable path to the title, Larson must dramatically improve his results at the remaining road course event, which could bolster his points and keep him in contention as the season progresses toward Phoenix.
The Impact of Larson’s Challenging Double Duty Attempt on His 2025 Season
Though Kyle Larson has achieved three wins during the 2025 campaign, his last victory occurred back in May at Kansas Speedway. Since then, he has managed a handful of top-five finishes but has not added any more checkered flags to his tally. This decline in form coincides with an ambitious double duty attempt early in the season, where Larson competed in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day but crashed out of both events.
The aftermath of that grueling and difficult experience appears to have affected Larson’s confidence and racing results. On the podcast Stacking Pennies, Larson reflected on the downturn in his performances since the double duty weekend:
“I think looking at the results since then, it’d be hard to argue that it didn’t [affect my confidence] even though I wouldn’t necessarily say I felt any lack of confidence. I don’t know if it was circumstantial But my NASCAR stuff took a dip, my sprint car racing took a dip. I mean, it’s hard to argue against it.” (50:51 onwards) – Kyle Larson
“It was just odd and a weird coincidence. Like I said, I mean, NASCAR took a dive a little bit, and my sprint car, which both were like going so good like right before that. I was winning more than half the sprint car races I was running. We had led 900 laps and crushing it in NASCAR to that point. And then I choke up, I choke off that Sunday and it was it’s been crappy since.” – Kyle Larson
Since entering the playoffs, Larson has delivered two top-10 finishes, but he seeks to elevate that performance to strengthen his championship bid. His season has been turbulent, with lapses in form that make the upcoming road course races critical to his overall success.
Road Courses: A Persistent Weakness for Larson Amid Strong Season Performance
Kyle Larson’s struggle on road courses starkly contrasts with his dominance on oval tracks. Despite winning three races and leading comfortably on several occasions, his average finishing position on road circuits is the lowest among full-time drivers. This disparity threatens to destabilize his points lead and playoff momentum, especially as the next critical race at the Charlotte Roval demands precision and consistency on a challenging layout.
While Larson’s overall championship run has been impressive, his inability to deliver strong finishes on these mixed-discipline tracks could jeopardize his hopes of becoming a title contender in Phoenix. The playoffs will test his adaptability and resilience, forcing him to overcome a troubling pattern before the championship’s decisive rounds.
What Lies Ahead for Larson’s Championship Quest?
Kyle Larson’s strong season thus far masks underlying struggles that could undermine his bid for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series title. His road course performances, combined with the aftermath of his double duty attempt earlier this year, have created a turbulent stretch that challenges his consistency. The upcoming Charlotte Roval race is pivotal, as the session offers a last chance to gather key points and surge forward in the playoff standings.
If Larson can reverse his road course fortunes, he will not only protect his sizable points advantage but also bolster his confidence heading into the championship finale. However, failure to improve on these demanding circuits may force him to rely heavily on points rather than race wins for advancement, complicating his path among elite contenders looking to secure the final four spots.
Ultimately, Larson’s performance in the next few races will be a defining factor in the 2025 title chase, underscoring the high stakes and intense pressure at this stage of the NASCAR season.
