Jeff Gordon’s advice to Kyle Larson pays off as he delivered one of his best superspeedway performances at Atlanta Motor Speedway. But in the closing laps, a bold move changed everything. Battling for the lead, Kyle Larson made contact with Austin Cindric, sparking controversy. Some saw it as hard racing, while others questioned the decision. Despite the drama, Larson still walked away with a career-best finish at a drafting track. But was it worth the risk?
Key Highlights
- Kyle Larson achieved a career-best third-place finish at a superspeedway during the Atlanta race.
- Despite leading in overtime, Larson lost the win due to a move by Christopher Bell.
- Larson started 17th but claimed his first stage victory at a superspeedway in Stage 2.
- He expressed satisfaction with his performance despite narrowly missing out on the win.
- Larson showed improved superspeedway skills, influenced by Jeff Gordon’s guidance and advice.
Kyle Larson’s Superspeedway Struggles
Although Kyle Larson is a well-regarded driver in the NASCAR Cup Series, his performance on superspeedway tracks has been particularly challenging. Since joining the series over a decade ago, Larson has faced considerable difficulty in mastering the craft of superspeedway racing.
Despite his concerted efforts to improve, he remains winless in 48 career starts on these circuits, which demand a unique blend of skill and strategy.
Larson’s record at Talladega Superspeedway includes only two top-five finishes, illustrating the ongoing struggle. His average finish of 21.9 at both Daytona International Speedway and Talladega further emphasizes these challenges.
Atlanta Motor Speedway, a track that combines elements of intermediate and superspeedway racing, has proven even more problematic for Larson. Entering the recent weekend, he had failed to finish five of the previous six drafting races there, with an average finish of 29.8.
Jeff Gordon’s Advice to Larson
Jeff Gordon, a seasoned veteran in the NASCAR world and vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, has been closely observing Kyle Larson‘s performance on superspeedway tracks.
After Larson’s struggles at the Daytona 500, Gordon recognized that Larson was overanalyzing his decisions, which affected his performance.
Gordon, drawing from his extensive experience, advised Larson to accept his natural instincts. He encouraged Larson to trust his abilities rather than mimic others’ successful strategies.
“I think now I’m starting to see it’s getting in his head.”
“I’ve had a few conversations with him, and am like, ‘Man, just go for it, just forget about it; don’t try to even overthink it.” – Jeff Gordon
Gordon’s counsel was simple yet profound: “Just be Kyle Larson.” He emphasized the importance of focusing on execution rather than dwelling on previous misjudgments, assuring that success would follow.
“I don’t know what advice to give him other than — all I told him today is just be Kyle Larson. Don’t try to be something you’re not. Don’t look at what somebody else is doing that’s having success. Just go out there and execute, and the other things will turn around and come your way eventually.” – Jeff Gordon
Within a week, Larson highlighted a considerable improvement at Atlanta, suggesting that Gordon’s advice might have played a role in enhancing his superspeedway capabilities, even though ultimate victory eluded him.
Kyle Larson’s Strong Performance at Atlanta
Kyle Larson exhibited considerable skill and tenacity during his performance at Atlanta, marking a notable improvement in his superspeedway endeavors. Despite starting in 17th place during a dominant Stage 1 by Ford, Larson remained steadfast, not gaining positions initially.
However, Stage 2 witnessed a crucial shift, as Larson claimed his initial stage victory at a superspeedway, showcasing his capacity for tactical racing and timing.
Throughout the final stage, Larson maintained a strong presence near the top five, skillfully steering through the competitive field. As the laps dwindled, the No. 5 Chevrolet emerged as a formidable contender for a potential initial superspeedway victory.
Nevertheless, the race was not devoid of challenges. With three laps remaining, Larson’s aggressive tactic resulted in Austin Cindric being pushed into the wall, which Larson later acknowledged as his misjudgment.
“[Cindric] got there a little bit quicker than I thought he would. I thought he was going to pick me up on the exit of [Turn] 2. Yeah, that was probably my fault. I haven’t seen a replay, but I’m sure that was my fault.” – Kyle Larson
Overtime Drama and Career-Best Superspeedway Finish
In the tense overtime moments of the race, Larson found himself leading the pack, a position that promised a career-best finish on a superspeedway.
As the field took the white flag, Larson’s No. 5 car maintained its lead, but the drama unfolded as they entered Turn 1. Christopher Bell made a tactical move to the outside, clearing Larson and taking the lead. Simultaneously, Josh Berry was turned down the backstretch, prompting a caution.
Larson ultimately dropped to third place, finishing behind Bell and Carson Hocevar, who achieved a career-best runner-up result.
Despite not clinching the win, Larson’s third-place finish marked his personal best in 49 superspeedway attempts.
Reflecting on the race, Larson expressed uncertainty about his concluding lap performance. He noted Bell’s action, which left him unable to reclaim the lead before the caution.
“I don’t know what I did wrong or right. I thought maybe [Bell] picked me up. He was just going to push me and get clear of me into one anyway.” – Kyle Larson
Nonetheless, Larson praised his team’s effort and was satisfied with ultimately competing at the front in Atlanta.
“I think it kind of worked out OK. Then, just didn’t get the caution to come out late enough until I got the run back to the inside. Came up a little bit short, but proud of the effort today by everybody on our HendrickCars.com Chevy. Finally finished at Atlanta and finally got to run up front.”
“It was super intense. It was my first legit finish here at Atlanta since the reconfiguration, so I’ll take it. I feel like we learned a lot and I feel like we can be a lot better with the balance of our race car to be a little bit more on offense while we are in traffic. We just came up a little bit short.
“It’s been a good night, just wish we could have been a couple spots better.” – Kyle Larson
Kyle Larson Looks Ahead to Road Courses
As the NASCAR season shifts focus from superspeedways to road courses, the upcoming events present a promising opportunity for Kyle Larson to utilize his strengths.
With the superspeedways behind him, Larson’s attention now turns to road courses, where his track record is impressive. With six wins on these challenging circuits, Larson’s expertise is evident. His notable performances include a runner-up finish at the Circuit of The Americas in just four starts, highlighting his adaptability and skill on such tracks.
Larson’s recent experience at Atlanta, where he led 12 laps and achieved his initial top-30 finish in five races, equips him with valuable insights into car balance and race strategy.
As he approaches the next phase of the season, these learnings could improve his performance on road courses, where precision and tactical insight are paramount. This shift marks a crucial moment for Larson, poised to capitalize on his road course skill.
News in Brief: Jeff Gordon’s Advice to Kyle Larson Pays Off
Kyle Larson achieved a career-best finish at a superspeedway, showcasing his improvement in a traditionally challenging area for him. Despite losing the win at Atlanta due to late-race developments, his performance reflected considerable progress, possibly influenced by advice from Jeff Gordon.
As Larson shifts focus to upcoming road courses, his recent achievements suggest a promising path. His ability to adapt and excel on diverse tracks highlights his growing versatility and competitiveness in the NASCAR series.
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