Kyle Larson struggles in Nashville NASCAR Cup qualifying as he faces his most challenging start of the 2025 season, after a rough weekend that left him working to rebuild confidence. The Hendrick Motorsports driver, who hoped for a strong rebound following crashes in both the Coca-Cola 600 and Indianapolis 500, encountered fresh obstacles leading into Sunday’s race.
Larson’s Difficult Weekend Continues After Recent Crashes
Arriving in Nashville with expectations of bouncing back, Kyle Larson’s week began on a shaky note as he only managed to place 24th during practice. The difficulties persisted into qualifying, where he finished 28th out of 39 drivers, marking his lowest start of the season to date. Compared to his earlier starts, this result stands out: previously, his worst qualifying position was 25th at Talladega, though he impressively finished second there. On non-drafting tracks like Darlington, starting from 19th, he was caught in an early wreck as he tried to advance.
Notably, Larson also trailed all his Hendrick Motorsports teammates in qualifying, highlighting the severity of his struggles in Nashville. The 2021 NASCAR Cup champion now faces the task of working his way through the pack in Sunday’s race.
Analysis of Qualifying Struggles and Confidence Roadblocks
Looking for answers before the start at Nashville Superspeedway, Larson reflected candidly on what went wrong:
“Yesterday, I don’t know … I was just kind of loose in and then it was just getting my timing off where the center of the corner was, so it just took all of practice to kind of find a rhythm that fit me and then it was just too late for qualifying,”
—Larson, told NASCAR on Prime.
Larson acknowledged his lack of confidence when it came to pushing the limits on the track, admitting to uncertainty about where to brake and the proper driving angles. He expressed disappointment in his qualifying result and recognized the strengths of his car, suggesting better potential lies ahead if he can regain rhythm and confidence. The driver believes patience and aggressive moves—without unnecessary risks—are crucial for climbing through the field without further incident.
Outlook and Historical Context Ahead of Nashville Race
Although starting from 28th is a setback, recent race history provides some encouragement for Larson and his fans. Last year, Joey Logano took victory in Nashville after beginning 26th, showing that dramatic comebacks are possible at this venue. With a long and challenging day ahead, Larson will need a blend of strategy, speed, and measured aggression to turn around his fortunes.
As attention turns to Sunday’s race, all eyes remain on Kyle Larson’s next move as he works to rebound from his worst qualifying result of the year. The intense and troubled atmosphere underscores the high stakes for the 2021 champion, his fellow drivers like Chase Briscoe and Brad Keselowski, and teams such as Hendrick Motorsports, JGR, and RFK in a season that has already seen its share of dramatic events across tracks like Talladega, Darlington, and Indianapolis. The outcome in Nashville could signal either a renewed upward path or continuing challenges for one of NASCAR’s top talents.
