Kyle Larson, entering the NASCAR postseason as the top-ranked driver with the most substantial points advantage among the top 16, acknowledges significant Kyle Larson playoff track challenges ahead. As the playoffs kick off at Darlington, Larson has identified specific tracks that remain causes for concern as he aims to progress through each round.
Larson Points Out Flat Track Weaknesses
Despite his strong standings, Larson admits certain tracks make him uneasy, particularly those that are shorter and flatter. When discussing his vulnerabilities in the Cup Series, he stated,
“Yeah, I think still the shorter, flatter tracks. So, seeing Gateway and New Hampshire in the playoffs is not something that I was thrilled about. But I do think we’ve made our package better on that style of track.”
—Kyle Larson, driver
Progress Noted Through Recent Performances
Larson looked back at races earlier in the season as proof of growth, especially at Iowa and Richmond.
“I look at Iowa, we were fast, and William (Byron) won; Chase (Elliott) was fast; Alex (Bowman) was fast. When we went to Richmond, we were all really good again. Alex finished second, and I think I was in sixth. Chase was probably one of the best cars that night. William was good, as well.”
—Kyle Larson, driver
He remains optimistic but realistic about upcoming races, adding,
“I do think we’ve gotten our cars better on those places, but we still need to probably be better. We’ll see when we get to Gateway and New Hampshire,”
—Kyle Larson, driver
Breaking Down the Statistics
The numbers provide a nuanced view of Larson’s playoff prospects. At Gateway, his average finish sits at 8.7 from three races, with one result inside the top five. New Hampshire offers mixed outcomes: across 14 starts, he has collected six top-five results with an 11.2 average finish. Iowa, however, stands out as a challenge, with only two races resulting in an average finish of 31.0. Richmond appears friendlier, as Larson has tallied two wins, five top fives, and a 10.4 average finish in 21 attempts.
NASCAR’s Next Gen Car Adds Complexity
Complicating matters is the introduction of NASCAR’s Next Gen car, which has drawn debate from drivers and fans including Kyle Larson regarding its impact on parity and the ability to pass on flat tracks. These cars appear to have leveled performance, making it harder for even top drivers like those of Rick Hendrick’s team to gain an edge on such circuits.
The Playoff Road Ahead
With the exception of Iowa, Larson’s historical stats are solid, fueling hope that further improvements from his team and support from figures like Alex Bowman, William Byron, and Chase Elliott might see him overcome these playoff track challenges. The postseason begins at Darlington, a venue that has troubled Larson in the Next Gen era, as shown by his 20.6 average finish in seven starts. However, the following round features Gateway and Bristol, tracks where he has performed strongly in the past.
Armed with a 26-point advantage and a record of adapting throughout the season, Larson remains positioned as a fierce contender to advance deep into the playoffs. The coming races will test his resolve and highlight whether changes to his cars and approach will tip the scales at these critical tracks.
