Kyle Larson reflects on Michigan Cup Series finish with a sense of satisfaction mixed with disappointment after placing fifth at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, following a weekend that included both a violent sprint car crash and another top-five result. Despite the adversity and lack of outright speed during the race, Larson and his team managed to pull off their ninth top-five finish of the NASCAR Cup Series 2025 season at the famed Michigan track.
Larson Balances Relief and Frustration After Michigan Race
In Sunday’s contest, Larson secured a fifth-place start and ended the first stage in seventh, never managing to lead a lap but grinding out a strong finish for Hendrick Motorsports. After the checkered flag, he was candid about the difficulties he faced throughout the race, especially with car balance and the inability to challenge for the win. Larson told NBC Sports,
“I thought early I was surprised running 75-80 percent, I could just kind of maintain the gap,”
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
He elaborated on the car’s struggles and his own effort to hang onto a good result while under pressure from competitors, adding,
“Then those other guys started coming, and my balance was already shot by then anyway. I didn’t think I had a chance to push even if I wanted. I ran that whole last run not hitting wide open more than 2-3 seconds. Just glad to make it. It was not a pretty day. We weren’t very fast, but we were able to get a top five.”
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
Larson emphasized his appreciation for the team’s resilience amid recent challenges, while also expressing regret that a win for Chevrolet slipped away, saying,
“Days like today aren’t the most fun, but they feel really good, too. Proud of the whole team. Wish we could have got a win for Chevrolet, but we’ll try again next year. Days like last week and this week were very similar. We weren’t fast on speed, but made the most out of it last week and today. For a point of that last run, I thought we might have a shot to win. So it just says a lot about the team and how really strong we’ve stayed through some bits of adversity. Hopefully, we can just run better from now and run in the top five all day.”
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
Resilience Shines Following Recent Setbacks
The Michigan result marked Larson’s second straight top-10 after a disappointing did-not-finish (DNF) at the Coca-Cola 600 a few weeks prior. His solid finish in Michigan came at the end of a tough stretch, which included a frightening wreck in Wisconsin during a Friday night sprint car event. Fortunately, the 32-year-old emerged uninjured and later recounted the scene, explaining,
“It just kind of launched me, and I was along for the ride,”
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
Larson further reflected on the intensity of the crash and how he was able to avoid serious harm, stating,
“Bummer, but I felt really good pacing Rico [Abreu] there and just finally catching traffic and get racing there. Glad I’m OK, big hit but all-in-all, feel fine.”
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
What the Weekend Means for Larson and the Team
This series of events underscores the grit and determination of Kyle Larson and his team as they continue pushing through speed deficiencies and unexpected crashes. Finishing in the top five at Michigan following a serious crash just days prior highlights both Larson’s skill and the collective effort of Hendrick Motorsports. As the NASCAR Cup Series season continues, the team will be looking for improved performance to maintain momentum and aim for that elusive victory for Chevrolet. With more races ahead, Larson’s resilience could prove vital as the competition intensifies at tracks across the country.
