The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs opened at Darlington Raceway with high expectations for Hendrick Motorsports, yet all four of their drivers—including Kyle Larson—finished outside the top 15. The surprising outcome at the Cook Out Southern 500 has fueled doubts about Larson’s playoff potential, setting off strong reactions across the fan community and raising new concerns about the team’s performance. The spotlight on Kyle Larson playoff struggles Darlington 2025 now extends beyond the usual scrutiny, as fans and analysts debate what went wrong and what’s next for the team.
Hendrick Motorsports Falters Despite Season-Long Momentum
Heading into Darlington, Hendrick Motorsports looked like a powerhouse, with Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Alex Bowman consistently running at the front during the regular season. But their playoff debut proved difficult, marking their worst collective finish since moving to a four-car format: Elliott was 17th, Larson 19th, Byron 21st, and Bowman 31st. This stark contrast to their previous success at Darlington shocked fans and observers alike.
The disappointment was reinforced by Chase Elliott, who reflected on the evening, stating,
“It was a really long night. Yeah, we had clawed our way up to the top 10 and tried to run really long on that one run.”
—Chase Elliott, Driver. Even though Elliott pushed hard mid-race, the entire Hendrick crew seemed unable to unlock the speed needed to compete with the leading Toyotas, who took six of the top seven spots.
Fans and Experts Debate Larson’s 19th-Place Result
NASCAR fans are openly questioning Kyle Larson’s playoff readiness after he finished 19th at Darlington. Prior to the race, Larson’s resume this season was impressive—three wins at tracks like Homestead, Bristol, and Kansas, plus 16 top 10 finishes, positioning him third in the championship with a comfortable margin above the cutline. But at Darlington, a track known as “The Lady in Black” where Larson triumphed in 2023, the No. 5 Chevrolet suffered with handling issues and never found its usual pace.
The outcome stirred concern among fans, with online conversations highlighting disappointment and frustration. Larson, expressing the need for improvement, offered his perspective:
“Obviously, we want more on this No. 5 Chevrolet team. It’s typically a good track for us, so I’m not sure, but we’ll regroup and hopefully rebound in the next two races,”
—Kyle Larson, Driver. His remarks captured the unease heading into the next events at Gateway and New Hampshire, tracks where Larson has struggled before.
Playoff Turning Point and Setup Uncertainties
This latest finish has taken on the feel of a pivotal moment for Hendrick Motorsports. The team entered the postseason with significant momentum and top-10 finishes, yet their lackluster showing in the opener has raised concerns about execution, particularly after Larson’s strong starting position in fifth qualifying. The race exposed underlying weaknesses in car setups and race strategy, contrasting with Toyota’s dominance.
Larson acknowledged areas of weakness, admitting,
“Yeah, I think still the shorter, flatter tracks are potential weaknesses, so seeing Gateway and New Hampshire in the playoffs is not something that I was thrilled about.”
—Kyle Larson, Driver. This candor has only amplified speculation among gearheads and analysts on whether the team can adapt their approach in time to stay in playoff contention—especially as the format now tests both the driver’s style and the effectiveness of crew chiefs like Cliff Daniels.
Online Discussions Reflect Fan Frustration
An online thread titled
“When will the 5 team bounce back??”
has become a trending topic, as fans debate when Larson and his crew might rediscover their form. The conversation has delved into broader issues affecting Hendrick Motorsports, suggesting that Larson’s struggles are symptomatic of team-wide challenges rather than isolated to the No. 5 car.
In one widely shared fan comment, frustration was laid bare:
“It’s all of Hendrick, not the 5 car specifically. Larson has had some good runs, He has 16 top 10’s, the most this season. Elliott was 17th, Larson 19th, Byron 21st, and Bowman 31st.”
—Fan. Others pointed out the critical nature of upcoming races, noting,
“If they don’t have a good car at Bristol, then I begin to think they are in trouble.”
—Fan. As the playoff pressure builds, Bristol’s characteristics—high banks and a demanding surface—will place even more importance on finding the right aerodynamic package and setup solutions.
Adding to the discussion around technical changes, uncertainty remains about the configuration teams will run at Bristol. One user summed up the doubts:
“I think it will be the same package they always have at Bristol, but I’m not 100% sure.”
—Fan. This kind of speculation highlights the nervous mood within the community as consistency and adaptability become vital for advancement.
The Importance of Setup and Driver Style
Fans and experts alike have weighed in on how car setup and driving style play a pivotal role in Larson’s results. One observation resonated within the debate:
“Larson’s success comes when his car is set up in a way he can drive the shit out of it, and that becomes his advantage. In my opinion, he hasn’t had the car that suits his driving style. He’s an aggressive, sometimes too aggressive driver, and he needs a car that will allow him to drive that way.”
—Fan. Larson’s remarkable run to the 2021 championship, marked by ten wins, was built on bold driving and a car tailored to his preferences. In contrast, 2025’s singular pole and less adaptable cars have provided fewer opportunities to capitalize on his aggressive style.
Much of the talk also focuses on cyclical patterns in Hendrick’s playoff campaigns during the Next Gen era, which began in 2022. As one fan observed,
“It’s typical Hendrick fashion with the Gen 7 / Next Gen car. Be fast early in the season, fumble in the middle, scrap something together in the playoffs, get into the Final Four, and lose to Penske.”
—Fan. For instance, Larson scored a key early win at Atlanta in 2025, but a familiar dip during the summer months followed by a late push has left some supporters fearing a repeat of recent seasons, including losses to Team Penske led by drivers like Joey Logano.
What’s at Stake for Hendrick and Larson in the Upcoming Races?
With Gateway and New Hampshire looming, the pressure is mounting on both Kyle Larson and his Hendrick teammates to make critical adjustments. Historically, these tracks have been less favorable to Larson, underscoring the challenges that await the team as the playoffs progress. The importance of setup decisions from crew chiefs like Cliff Daniels cannot be overstated—in a playoff field increasingly dominated by Toyotas and the steadiness of rivals like Penske, every detail could prove decisive.
The broader implications extend to the perception of Rick Hendrick’s organization, a team deeply rooted in NASCAR since 1984, now needing to prove that this is not the start of a longer-term decline. With fan skepticism at a high and the playoff window narrowing, how Hendrick responds in the coming weeks will shape narratives throughout the remainder of the season and possibly affect the team’s long-term trajectory.
The developments at Darlington have intensified scrutiny around Kyle Larson playoff struggles Darlington 2025, highlighting both the vulnerability and potential for recovery among some of NASCAR’s premier talent. Fans, drivers, and teams now watch closely to see if the next races will spark a comeback—or confirm that cracks in the armor have become too deep to mend this season.
