Champion Kyle Larson surpassed expectations at the Talladega Superspeedway. It was at this same track where Larson, the 2021 Cup Series champion, had only managed one top-10 finish in the last seven years or 13 starts. Despite this historical perspective, Larson stunned fans by delivering back-to-back top five finishes. He came fourth in the fall and followed with a career-best third place on Sunday afternoon.
Significantly, Larson’s performance changed from before. Usually not as impactful as on other tracks, Larson’s success at Talladega Superspeedway came from consistent execution. “I feel like I’ve always performed pretty decent [at Talladega], at least at Hendrick,” Larson said. He was pleased with the whole day, remarking it was ‘great from the first stage to the final stage.’
Adding to this triumph, Larson delighted the Alabama crowd by claiming a win in Stage 2 with his series-leading fifth of 2025. Furthermore, coupled with the third-place finish, Larson left the track having earned the most points on the Sunday. He achieved an impressive 52 out of a possible 60 points.
“I was happy about all that and had another really good shot at potentially winning at the end,” he said. Larson then discussed the importance of adapting to each race’s unique dynamics. For example, compared to the last fall or the Daytona 500, even that day was different.
Each race requires learning on the spot. “You have to learn on the fly a little bit,” Larson observed. He was satisfied with how the day turned out. He said, “The day worked out for us. I’m just pleased with that and pleased with the performance of the car.” On a concluding note, Larson’s wins bring him closer to the Hendrick teammate Byron for the point lead – he is now only 42 points behind.
With his back-to-back top finishes at Talladega, Kyle Larson continues to send waves through the racing world. His ability to adapt, learn on the fly, and execute consistently could hold the key to further triumphs. While he may not have taken the initial lead, Larson’s performance at Talladega proves that he is a force to be reckoned with on any track.
