Kyle Larson and Hendrick Motorsports head into the upcoming Gateway race with the belief that their performance there will be vital for evaluating their 2025 NASCAR title hopes. As Larson prepares to race in Illinois this Sunday, the team views Gateway as a significant test for their championship aspirations, especially after recent setbacks.
Larson Eyes Gateway as Crucial Test for Championship Push
After a challenging start to the playoff season at Darlington, where Larson finished 19th behind Chase Briscoe, the Elk Grove, California native is seeking a turnaround at Gateway. The 2021 Cup Series champion and his team see this weekend not just as another points opportunity, but as a revealing benchmark that could predict their prospects for the season’s finale in Phoenix on November 2. Larson considers Gateway the closest experience to a “dress rehearsal” for the high-stakes environment of the championship showdown.
Trepidation lingers within Hendrick Motorsports, as recent performances at Phoenix have fallen short compared to powerhouse competitors like Team Penske and Joe Gibbs Racing. These results have increased the sense of urgency for the organization as they approach the Gateway event, fueling their desire to refine their approach.
Assessing and Adjusting the Team’s Short Track Formula
Reflecting on recent races, Larson has openly acknowledged the shortcomings of Hendrick Motorsports’ current short track strategies based on their past outings at Phoenix. The team recognized that their previous setups left little hope for a title run, prompting a comprehensive redevelopment of their short track package.
Based off how we ran at Phoenix at the end of last year, and then in the spring this year, we knew we had no shot to win the championship with the setup that we had. We had to go to work, and we’ve still been continuing to work on it.
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Despite a tough result at Darlington, Larson maintains a solid position in the playoff standings, currently sitting third with a 26-point buffer above the elimination line. He attributes his underwhelming finish to several factors, but remains optimistic about the improvements made since then.
Gateway Test Sparks Direction Change for Hendrick
Earlier this year, a test session at Gateway became a turning point for the team’s approach on short tracks. Larson noted that lessons learned during this session have encouraged Hendrick Motorsports to pursue different strategies, with hopes of gaining ground on rivals like Penske and Gibbs.
We had a great test at Gateway earlier this year, and that’s kind of led us down a different path with our short-track package here lately, and it seems to be better,
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Although Larson admits they are not yet at the level of Team Penske and have only slightly closed the gap to Joe Gibbs Racing, steady progress has been made. The team remains committed to fine-tuning their short track set-up across upcoming races, aiming to peak at Phoenix for the championship event.
We still have a few more short tracks to go to kind of fine-tune our package and hopefully hit where we need to at Phoenix.
—Kyle Larson, Driver
As Kyle Larson and Hendrick Motorsports set their sights on Gateway, the race will serve as a pivotal benchmark. Success here could reaffirm the direction of their recent changes and build confidence ahead of NASCAR’s championship-deciding event in Phoenix. The outcome will not only influence their immediate playoff performance but could define the trajectory of their 2025 NASCAR title hopes against rivals like Joe Gibbs Racing and Team Penske.
