Kyle Larson DNF Concerns: The conclusion of the 2023 Cup Series saw Ryan Blaney clinching the Championship. However, a discernible concern has emerged within Hendrick Motorsports when reflecting on certain statistics.
Notably, #5 driver and 2021 Cup Series champion Kyle Larson faced challenges with a total of 8 Did Not Finish (DNF) incidents in the 2023 season, marking an increase from the 7 DNFs in 2022. This figure places him second in the rankings for DNFs, just behind Austin Dillon.
Throughout the season, Larson encountered multiple on-track incidents that nearly cost him potential victories. While some incidents may not have solely been his responsibility, such as the contact with JGR’s Denny Hamlin at Pocono, the growing trend of increased DNFs each year raises concerns for the Hendrick Motorsports team.
Notably, NASCAR insider Kyle Petty previously shed light on this worrisome pattern. Petty emphasized in an earlier interview that Larson’s race positioning sometimes prevents him from securing victories, attributing this to suboptimal decision-making during races.
Detailing specific instances where wins slipped away, Petty referenced races at Phoenix with William Byron, Darlington with Ross Chastain, Pocono with Denny Hamlin, and Texas with Bubba Wallace.
Petty urged Larson to elevate his approach and exhibit greater maturity to discern critical moments during races. As the 2024 season approaches, Larson and Hendrick Motorsports face the task of addressing this issue before it escalates and becomes a persistent challenge.
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Our Reader’s Queries
What happened to Larson at Homestead?
Larson trailed race leader Ryan Blaney into pit road, but unfortunately, he was unable to slow down in time and crashed into the barrier. Larson apologized to his crew, admitting that he did not anticipate Blaney’s sudden decrease in speed.
Who owns Kyle Larson Sprint car?
2021 NASCAR champion Larson and five-time World of Outlaws champion Brad Sweet are the founders and owners of High Limit Racing.
Does Kyle Larson have a wife?
Just before the 2023 season began, Larson inked a fresh deal with his current team, Hendrick Motorsports. The agreement secures his spot with the team until 2026, with a reported salary of $10 million per season.
