Kyle Larson, currently the regular-season leader and ranked third in the NASCAR playoffs, faces an unusual challenge as he remains winless since May. Although he dominates the points, his last victory at Kansas in May, where he impressively led 221 of 267 laps, was his third of the season. Since then, both Larson and fans have been eager for him to regain his winning form amid his ongoing winless slump.
The recent Kansas race attracted significant attention on Larson, especially from insider journalist Danielle Trotta, who had high hopes for his performance. However, the event was dominated by Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), and Larson’s teammate Chase Elliott secured a last-lap victory, offering relief for Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) amid a broader team slump.
Danielle Trotta Highlights Larson and Hendrick Motorsports’ Difficulties
In a discussion on the podcast Rubbin’ is Racing, Trotta expressed disbelief over Larson’s current form as well as the wider struggles of Hendrick Motorsports. She commented,
“Hendrick really needs to step up right now. Gibbs and Penske are really showing out in the Playoffs and you’re kind of like, ‘Where are the Hendrick guys? When are they going to come out and play?’”
This remark reflects the season-long challenges HMS has faced, particularly after the fallout at Darlington.
JGR swept the Round of 16 playoff races, while Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney claimed his third win in the Round of 12. Meanwhile, Hendrick’s drivers managed only top-10 finishes at best, with Elliott’s recent Kansas victory standing out as a rare high point. Larson finished sixth and William Byron ninth, efforts overshadowed by the dominant Toyota teams.
Trotta went further, voicing significant concern over Larson’s prolonged win drought, which she described as nearly unprecedented in NASCAR. She said,
“Larson has not been himself in months. Kyle Larson hasn’t won a race in almost 5 months, that’s the most anti-NASCAR thing ever! I don’t even know how that’s possible! So I hope we see the Larson of old someday.”
Larson’s numbers underline Trotta’s observations. After a strong start to the season with three wins by May, his form has deteriorated. Since his last victory at Charlotte, he has struggled through seven races finishing outside the top 20, a surprising performance drop for a driver of his caliber and usual consistency.
Despite the slump, Larson currently holds a solid position in the playoffs, sitting third with a 54-point cushion above the cutoff. However, challenges lie ahead; at next week’s Charlotte race, his recent results have been poor, including finishes of 37th in May and 30th in 2023. His last win at Charlotte was in 2021, where he led 327 of 400 laps, outpacing teammate Chase Elliott, who finished second.
Broader Concerns: NASCAR’s Declining Ratings and Trotta’s Proposed Solution
Beyond Larson’s personal struggles, Danielle Trotta also addressed the wider issue of NASCAR’s falling television ratings. The 2025 Cup Series is averaging just 2.52 million viewers per race, marking a 13% decline compared to 2.916 million viewers last year. The loss is more severe during the playoffs, with viewership dropping by 32% from the previous season.
When compared with other major sports, NASCAR’s ratings are notably lower. The National Football League (NFL) averages 17.5 million viewers per game, and Major League Baseball (MLB) continues to capture steady postseason audiences. On Rubbin’ is Racing, Trotta offered a potential remedy to address NASCAR’s ratings problem.
She pointed out the difficulty NASCAR faces going head-to-head against the NFL’s television dominance. Trotta explained,
“Going up against the NFL is really tough … I just don’t know that going up against that is ever going to be a winning strategy.”
She advocated for a condensed NASCAR schedule that would avoid direct competition with football season, adding,
“A condensed schedule that ends somewhere in late August, early September to me makes a whole lot of sense.”
Nevertheless, shortening the schedule presents contractual challenges. NASCAR is currently locked into a $7.7 billion TV deal with Fox and NBC through 2031. Trotta acknowledged this point, stating,
“If you just signed a multi-billion dollar TV deal … I don’t know that we’re gonna have fewer races.”
However, she suggested that concluding the season with a historic event like the Southern 500 at Darlington could maintain NASCAR traditions while improving viewer engagement.
Contextual Analysis of Kyle Larson’s Performance and NASCAR’s Future
Kyle Larson’s winless streak despite leading the regular season highlights a puzzling gap between performance metrics and race results, raising concerns about whether his current form signifies a deeper issue for both himself and Hendrick Motorsports. The dominant performances from JGR and Team Penske add pressure on HMS to find ways to challenge their rivals more consistently.
Danielle Trotta’s candid commentary not only underscores the intensity of Larson’s slump but also sheds light on larger problems NASCAR faces in engaging fans. The steep decline in viewership, especially in comparison to other major sports, points to a need for strategic adjustments in scheduling and race formats to sustain the sport’s popularity.
As the playoffs continue, Larson’s status as a top contender gives him some leeway, but his struggles at tracks like Charlotte could jeopardize his championship hopes. Additionally, NASCAR’s leadership will likely have to explore solutions like calendar restructuring to boost ratings and reduce competition with football broadcasts.
The road ahead will test Larson’s resilience and HMS’s ability to rebound while the sport as a whole seeks ways to retain and grow its audience amid a shifting sports media landscape.
