Kyle Larson’s performance in the NASCAR playoffs has sparked discussion following his 19th-place finish at the recent playoff opener at Darlington. Despite generally strong showings at Darlington, Larson’s result stood out amid a difficult race day for Team Hendrick, where Chase Elliott led the team with a 17th-place finish, followed by Larson, William Byron, and Alex Bowman. This outcome has raised concerns about the real Kyle Larson playoff performance fans and analysts expect to see.
Kyle Petty reflected on Larson’s current struggles, noting a marked difference from earlier in the season.
I just don’t think we’ve seen the Kyle Larson since May,
Petty said. He highlighted that since the intense moments around the Indianapolis race, Larson had not been running at the level he showed in previous months.
Petty Highlights High Expectations and a Shift in Larson’s Approach
Petty compared Larson’s current form with that of Jimmie Johnson’s late career, pointing to a period when Johnson no longer delivered the performances fans expected. Despite still putting together solid and consistent runs, Larson’s results have fallen short of the championship-caliber play anticipated from him. Petty described what is normally expected from Larson as a driver who is aggressive and dynamic in the battle for the lead, constantly pushing boundaries during race moments.
He elaborated, saying Larson
“should be high, wide, and handsome in the championship groove, bouncing off the walls, passing people when there’s not enough room for a car.”
However, during the recent race at Darlington, Larson’s car performance was below the necessary level, and his racing style was more cautious than usual.
He didn’t fight for a position. He didn’t worry about it. That’s Mark Martin-esque. You know what I mean? Take what you’ve got, go to the house with it. And that’s what he did.
Petty remarked this more measured approach helped avoid disaster on a challenging race day, resulting in a decent, if uninspiring, finish.
Despite this, Petty expressed a desire to see Larson regain his aggressive and commanding race presence.
I want to see some of those days where he just laps the field six times. I want to see some of those days where he’s challenging for the lead. I want to see some of those days where we used to see him run and we used to see him do that magic and we’ve not seen any magic since May.
He added that Larson needs to find where that intensity went, whether it was lost around the Indy 500 or another point in the season, and bring it back for the remainder of the playoffs.
Steve Letarte Provides a Different Viewpoint on Larson’s Condition
Steve Letarte offered an alternate assessment of Larson’s recent performance, emphasizing upcoming races as key tests.
So for me, it’s real simple,
Letarte stated, pointing to the upcoming Phoenix race as a preview for the championship event. He explained that Phoenix is a high-speed, flat track requiring raw speed and performance.
According to Letarte, Larson must demonstrate top-tier speed to remain a legitimate championship contender. He stressed that Larson doesn’t necessarily have to win next week, but finishing anywhere outside a top-three car would raise red flags.
So, if he isn’t dominant, and he doesn’t have to win because there’s a lot of ways to lose there, we’re just talking raw speed. If he doesn’t have Kyle Larson speed, then I’m going to start to be really concerned.
Letarte identified Bristol as Larson’s “Mecca,” a place where Larson has excelled consistently despite changes to teams, tires, or rules.
Petty agreed with this viewpoint and emphasized the importance of Larson positioning himself for victory again, since those chances have grown increasingly rare this season. Letarte concluded with a cautionary note about Larson’s potential resurgence, saying,
As much as we’re all concerned, if he goes and leads 350 laps and wins at Bristol, I’m not sure you want to wake that dragon up.
Upcoming Races at Gateway and Bristol Could Shape Playoff Fate
Even with the disappointing Darlington result, Kyle Larson remains third in the Cup playoff standings as he heads toward the race at World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis. This points to a position of strength but also underlines the narrow margin for error driving forward.
While Petty and Letarte concentrated their commentary on Bristol, known as one of Larson’s strongest tracks, it is important to recognize the immediate challenge presented by Gateway Raceway. Larson’s history at Gateway shows modest success, with one top-five and two top-10 finishes in three starts, indicating that consistency there will be critical.
A lackluster finish at Gateway could jeopardize Larson’s ability to advance to the Round of 12 unless he secures a win at Bristol. This condition makes his performance at both tracks decisive for his championship hopes. Ensuring strong showings in these upcoming races will be vital for Kyle Larson to reignite his playoff momentum and meet the expectations for his car and driving capabilities.
