Kyle Larson’s Las Vegas run falls apart as a strong start turned into a frustrating finish. Kyle Larson showed speed early, but pit strategy missteps and untimely cautions changed everything. A crucial fuel stop late in the race seemed like the right move—until another caution left him stuck in the pack. As others gambled on track position, he struggled to recover. Crew chief Cliff Daniels reflected on missed chances, but the race was already lost. What went wrong in those final laps?
Key Highlights
- Larson’s pit strategy at Las Vegas Motor Speedway backfired due to multiple late-race cautions.
- A crucial fuel stop on lap 195 disrupted Larson’s race rhythm and track position.
- Competitors who skipped pitting gained an advantage, impacting Larson’s ability to contend for victory.
- Caution periods and restarts prevented Larson from capitalizing on a strong start.
- Larson and crew chief Cliff Daniels reflected on missed opportunities and strategic miscalculations.
Kyle Larson’s High Expectations at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
The anticipation surrounding Kyle Larson’s performance at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway was palpable, as fans and analysts likewise regarded him as a formidable contender on this particular track.
Known for his skills on the 1.5-mile oval, Larson’s history of three victories, including a win the previous year, set a high bar. The 2021 Cup Series champion entered the race with a strong desire to secure his initial victory of the season, having already achieved two third-place finishes in the opening four races.
The expectations were not unfounded, given Larson’s showcased talent and previous success at Las Vegas. However, despite his resolve and the promising start to the season, external demands, particularly from Christopher Bell’s consecutive wins, intensified the focus on Larson.
The looming question was whether Larson could break his nine-race winless streak and reclaim his dominant form on his favored track.
A Strong Start Turns Sour for Kyle Larson
Kyle Larson’s race at the 2025 Pennzoil 400 began with promise but quickly turned into a tale of unfulfilled potential. While not starting from the most advantageous position, qualifying tenth behind competitors like Zane Smith and Erik Jones, Larson showcased his skill by surging through the ranks.
By the end of Stage 1, he had skillfully navigated his way to a fifth-place finish, setting the stage for a victorious third stage and garnering 16 essential points.
However, as the race progressed, Larson’s fortunes took a downward turn. The initial momentum dissipated, thwarted by caution periods and tactical misalignments.
“The cautions and the strategy didn’t play out in our favor.”@KyleLarsonRacin exclusively spoke with our @m_massie22 about his race and what changed in his car at the end of the race. pic.twitter.com/JOEuuHOHxK
— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) March 17, 2025
In post-race reflections, Larson expressed his frustration, noting the diminished handling of his car in traffic and the changing track conditions, which hindered his ability to replicate early successes.
“Yeah, the cautions and the strategy kind of didn’t play out in our favor. Didn’t get some good restarts in the last couple of times. My balance wasn’t as good as it was early on in the race in traffic. Early in the race, I was great in traffic. Carved up to 5th in the first stage without a problem. I was hoping for more of that in the last run. I don’t know, it was just pretty tight. I don’t know if the track changed a little bit there, but bummer.” – Kyle Larson
Race Strategy and Late-Race Caution Cost Larson the Win
Although Kyle Larson seemed poised for victory in Las Vegas, tactical decisions during the race’s closing stages ultimately cost him the win. Leading near the end, Larson and his team chose to pit for fuel during a caution on lap 195 caused by a multi-car incident. This decision, based on the assumption that it would be the race’s final caution, allowed others to stay out and gain track position.
As the race unfolded, another caution with 25 laps remaining—triggered by Noah Gragson—shifted the advantage to competitors like Josh Berry. This pit strategy, coupled with the unexpected caution, left Larson unable to reclaim the lead, ultimately finishing outside the top ten.
Frustrations Mount as Fuel Strategy Backfires Again
Racing strategy can be a double-edged sword, as Kyle Larson’s team uncovered once again at Las Vegas. Known as ‘The Diamond in the Desert,’ this track was expected to be a prime opportunity for Larson to secure a victory.
Yet, the myriad of cautions disrupted not just his rhythm but also his team’s carefully planned fuel strategy. As the race unfolded with intermittent cautions, the timing of fuel stops became precarious. The unpredictability of green flag runs further compounded their challenges, leaving Larson unable to optimize his car’s potential.
The critical moment came after a notable crash on Lap 195, forcing teams to reassess their strategies with limited time. Larson’s team, banking on longer green flag stretches, found their plans unraveling.
The repeated cautions meant that fuel reserves dwindled faster, leaving Larson vulnerable. Ultimately, their gamble on strategy resulted in missed opportunities, a glaring reminder of racing’s inherent unpredictability.
Crew Chief Cliff Daniels Reflects on Missed Opportunities
The sense of frustration was palpable as Cliff Daniels, crew chief of the #5 car, reflected on the missed opportunities during the Las Vegas race.
Daniels recalled the critical decision to pit under green, a move that haunted him since the fall playoff race where Joey Logano claimed victory. In that instance, Daniels admitted to reconsidering his strategy, acknowledging that remaining on the track might have secured a top-three finish.
“In the fall, I stayed at that yellow, knew I couldn’t make it on fuel, so I had to pit under green and spent all winter long beating myself up knowing that if I would have stayed out, we were going to be with the guys that ended up making it on fuel. In the fall, we could have had a top-three finish, and today, it went the exact opposite.” – Cliff Daniels
Once more, the Vegas race revealed the treacherous nature of fuel strategy, with Larson running strong among the leaders before the ill-timed pit stop dropped him to an 11th-place finish.
A seasoned tactician, Daniels recognized the adeptness of Ford teams like Josh Berry’s, whose fuel mileage proficiency secured a win.
Despite Larson’s promising performance, the race highlighted the fine line between tactical brilliance and miscalculation, leaving Daniels contemplating what could have been a victorious outing in Las Vegas.
News in Brief: Kyle Larson’s Las Vegas Run Falls Apart
Kyle Larson’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway highlighted both his potential and the challenges that come with split-second decisions in NASCAR. Despite a promising start, his race strategy faltered due to late-race cautions and a miscalculated fuel plan, which ultimately cost him a victory.
Crew Chief Cliff Daniels acknowledged the missed opportunities, emphasizing the fine margins that can dictate a race’s outcome. Larson’s experience emphasizes the complexities and unpredictable nature of competitive racing, where even minor missteps have considerable consequences.
