Kyle Larson came into Sonoma Raceway in 2025 with high hopes. One year earlier, he was the driver no one could catch. But this time, something changed. The same track that once brought victory delivered a much different result. It happened late in the race, and it happened fast. The numbers from 2024 and 2025 tell a powerful story—but not the one many expected. What went wrong, and what does it mean for the rest of the season?
2024: Road Course Royalty
In 2024, Kyle Larson didn’t just perform well—he dominated. The driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet started near the front and never looked back. His pace was unmatched, and his precision through Sonoma’s elevation changes and hairpins was textbook.
Larson led the most laps, made no mistakes on pit road, and held off a late charge from Martin Truex Jr. and Chase Elliott to claim the checkered flag. It was a signature road course win, further reinforcing his status as the driver to beat on circuits that twist and turn.
For Larson, the win was more than just another trophy—it boosted his playoff standing, extended his mid-season momentum, and reminded everyone just how dangerous he is when the stakes are high.
2025: From Hero to Heartbreak
Expectations were sky-high for Larson heading into the 2025 Sonoma race. With multiple wins already on the season and a proven record at the track, he was widely seen as the man to beat. And for much of the race, that prediction looked accurate.
Larson ran near the front, finished second in Stage 2 after battling Shane van Gisbergen, and looked poised for another podium finish—or even a back-to-back win. But with just four laps to go, everything unraveled.
Contact from John Hunter Nemechek in Turn 4 sent Larson spinning. As he slid across the track, he clipped Ryan Blaney. Both cars lost major ground. No caution was thrown, and by the time Larson recovered, he had dropped to 35th, where he would ultimately finish. From first in 2024 to 35th in 2025—it was a brutal swing.
The Numbers: Comparing 2024 vs. 2025
| Year | Finish | Notable Moments | Stage Result | Points Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1st | Led most laps, flawless race | Won both stages | Big points day, playoff boost |
| 2025 | 35th | Spun late after contact | 2nd in Stage 2 | Minimal points gain |
While Larson’s overall playoff position remains strong—thanks to earlier wins—Sonoma 2025 was a massive missed opportunity to extend his advantage and build momentum. Instead, it served as a painful reminder of how quickly things can fall apart in the final laps.
What Changed in Just One Year?
1. The Shane van Gisbergen Effect
Shane van Gisbergen’s arrival has shifted the balance of power on road courses. His domination of the 2025 Sonoma race—leading 97 of 110 laps—was a wake-up call to the rest of the field. Larson, once the undisputed king of road courses, now has legitimate competition in the form of SVG.
2. Late-Race Chaos
In 2024, Larson controlled the race from the front. In 2025, the late-race restarts and mid-pack chaos proved costly. Sonoma’s tight turns and limited passing zones mean that even minor contact can end a strong run—and that’s exactly what happened.
3. Strategic Shifts
There’s a growing belief among fans that Hendrick Motorsports may be using the summer stretch to test setups and strategies for the playoffs.
“WITH KYLE’S SPOT SECURE IN THIS CLOWN SHOW THEY CALL THE PLAYOFFS, I WOULDN’T BE SURPRISED IF CLIFF IS JUST USING THIS TIME TO EXPERIMENT.” – NASCAR fan
Whether it’s experimentation or just bad luck, Larson’s recent slump has fans watching closely.
NASCAR Fans React: From Frustration to Faith
The NASCAR fanbase had plenty to say after Larson’s 35th-place finish:
“ANOTHER WEEK OF SHIT LUCK AND MEDIOCRE SPEED FOR THE 5 TEAM. THIS SUMMER HAS NOT BEEN FUN AS A LARSON FAN LMAO.” – NASCAR fan
There’s no denying the sting of going from a dominant win to a bottom-five finish. But fans know Larson’s talent is too immense to stay down for long—and a road course redemption could be coming sooner than later.
News in Brief: Kyle Larson Performance Comparison
Kyle Larson’s rollercoaster results at Sonoma—first in 2024, 35th in 2025—are a perfect snapshot of NASCAR’s volatility. From total control to total frustration, Larson has experienced both sides of Sonoma’s winding challenge. But if history is any indicator, he won’t stay quiet for long.
With road courses still ahead and the playoffs approaching, Larson will have every opportunity to bounce back. And knowing the No. 5 team, they’ll use this defeat as fuel.
ALSO READ: Sonoma Raceway Set to Repeat 2024’s Conditions for 2025 Weekend
