Kyle Larson vents frustration at crew chief in Nashville after a difficult outing at Nashville Speedway, where he finished eighth and let his emotions show over the team radio. His bid for a fourth NASCAR Cup Series victory was marred by struggles in both practice and qualifying, intensifying the atmosphere within the Hendrick Motorsports camp.
Challenging Start Dampens Larson’s Hopes at Nashville
Arriving at Nashville Speedway still reeling from his crashes during Memorial Day weekend at both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600, 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson began the event with hopes of reversing his fortunes. Instead, the hurdles started early at the 1.3-mile Tennessee track, as practice saw him placed just 24th on the board, trailing competitors from other teams and his own at Hendrick Motorsports. The qualifying session only deepened the setbacks, resulting in a disappointing 28th position—Larson’s lowest grid spot of the 2025 season.
Among all of Hendrick’s drivers, Larson found himself at the back, a reversal from earlier in the season when his worst start had been from 25th place at Talladega, where he nonetheless achieved a dramatic second-place finish. This time, the Californian’s lack of confidence in his vehicle was noticeable before he even took to the track for qualifying.
“I just didn’t really have the confidence [on] where to drive into and what angle and all that. Unfortunately, didn’t qualify where we wanted to. I know our car is much better than 28th.”
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Frustration Boils Over As Race Progresses
As the green flag dropped, Larson continued grappling with his car’s performance. His struggles culminated in a tense exchange over the team radio with his crew chief, Cliff Daniels, offering a rare, raw window into the pressure and complex teamwork at play in high-stakes racing. At one point in the night, he let his sarcasm fly on the airwaves.
“What a race. Well, so far we’ve got one positive: We stayed on the lead lap, and we have an opening in (to the pit box now). Yay.”
—Kyle Larson, Driver
This pointed comment spoke volumes about the turbulence within the No. 5 car’s pit box during a tough race. Despite visible irritation with strategy and performance, Larson pressed on and gradually clawed his way forward during the 300-lap contest.
Rising from Setbacks: A Top-10 Finish and a Title Chase
At the checkered flag, Larson secured an eighth-place finish, trailing behind fellow Hendrick driver William Byron, who took fifth. While falling short of the victory lane, the result demonstrated resilience in a night beset by early misfortune and internal frustrations.
After dropping from first in the standings following the Charlotte weekend, Larson now sits in second place—with 470 points tallied from three season wins, ten top-10 results, and eight top-five finishes—trailing Byron by 29 points as the battle for the championship continues.
Looking Forward: Pressure Builds for Cup Series Contenders
The turbulent outing in Nashville has ignited both tension and determination in the Hendrick Motorsports camp. With Larson still well positioned in the overall standings, the dynamic between driver and crew chief Cliff Daniels will remain under close watch, especially as events heat up heading into the second half of the season. As the Cup Series pushes forward, the team’s ability to resolve these conflicts could play a pivotal role in Larson’s quest for another title.
