Kyle Larson, the standout driver for Hendrick Motorsports, made a decisive playoff statement ahead of the Round of 12 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, expressing optimism about the team’s form despite earlier challenges. The Kyle Larson playoff statement sets the tone as his team looks to regain momentum after a rocky start in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
Hendrick Motorsports Strives to Rebound in Playoffs
In the lead-up to the first race in the Round of 12, Kyle Larson participated in a FrontStretch Media interview, openly discussing Hendrick Motorsports’ performance and his view on what lies ahead. As the 2025 playoffs began, Joe Gibbs Racing dominated the opening round—claiming all three victories and putting Chevrolets and Fords on the back foot. The Hendrick drivers, including Larson, struggled to find strong finishes during the Round of 16: Larson placed 32nd at Bristol Motor Speedway, joined by Chase Elliott in 38th, William Byron in 12th, and Alex Bowman in 8th. However, Bowman was unable to secure a spot in the Round of 12.
Amid this intense competition, Denny Hamlin, the #11 Toyota Camry XSE pilot, leads the playoff standings with a comfortable cushion over the cutoff. Although Hamlin’s consistency has set a high bar, Larson maintains high expectations for the New Hampshire event, signaling readiness to bounce back. Speaking candidly, he told reporters:
“I feel like we are really close and capable of getting back to form. Um, you know there’s times throughout weekends and races where, you know, it might not show up on TV or on, you know, the results, but I feel like we’re good. So, um, feel like we’ve quietly been making progress, but um, yeah, then we qualify bad.”
– Kyle Larson, Driver
Qualifying Results Set the Stage for New Hampshire
Larson entered the Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway qualifying in 16th place for the 301-lap race set for Sunday, September 21, 2025. His teammates faced their own challenges: Chase Elliott starts from 27th, William Byron earned a promising 5th position, and Alex Bowman secured 7th. With USA, PRN, HBO Max, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio broadcasting the 318.46-mile event at 2 pm ET, fans across the country are poised to watch this high-stakes chapter of the playoffs unfold.
Reflecting on the ongoing struggles and hopes, Larson added:
“So, it’s like every time I feel like we’re going to, you make a step in the right direction, we don’t, um, quite get it. But, we’re only through qualifying, so we still have the race tomorrow. Like I said, I thought my car was okay in practice.”
– Kyle Larson, Driver
Larson Describes the Physical and Mental Demands at Bristol
Kyle Larson, who hails from Elk Grove, California, also offered insights into the recent Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. The 500-lap short track challenge brought a fresh test for Larson and the Hendrick Motorsports squad. Speaking on NASCAR’s Inside the Race podcast, co-hosted by stock car analyst Mamba Smith and Kevin Harvick, Larson gave a detailed look at navigating the tricky oval circuit and managing the pressure of heavy race traffic.
He described the complexity of setup demands and the significance of vehicle balance, noting:
“If your car is not handling right, you know, if you’re too tight, you know, then you’re trying to create different angles or different speeds and different points, and it becomes just really difficult. Same if you’re too loose, too. I mean, it’s not a fun place to be kind of bouncing on your right rear through one and two and just being sharp and on the edge of you losing grip,”
Kyle Larson said. – Kyle Larson, Driver
The Current Outlook for Larson and Hendrick Motorsports
Currently ranked third in the NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings, Larson has accumulated 3,032 points over 29 starts this season. His achievements so far include three victories, 16 top-ten placements, 11 top-fives, and one pole position, reflecting a strong but turbulent campaign for both driver and team. The ongoing playoff phase sees rival organizations like Joe Gibbs Racing setting the standard, with Denny Hamlin maintaining a lead and momentum, placing further pressure on Hendrick Motorsports to engineer a successful comeback.
Prominent names such as Kevin Harvick, Chase Elliott, William Byron, Alex Bowman, and Ryan Blaney continue to shape the tightly contested playoff narrative. The stakes are exceptionally high as drivers and teams work to address car setups and adapt quickly to changing race conditions. The involvement of well-known broadcasters including USA, PRN, and HBO Max, along with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, guarantees wide exposure for one of the season’s defining races at New Hampshire.
What the Next Playoff Race Means for the Championship Picture
As Kyle Larson and Hendrick Motorsports prepare for the Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the pressure to perform is palpable. The Kyle Larson playoff statement made ahead of the event has set expectations, highlighting both the strain and opportunity that define this stage of the NASCAR season. With notable competitors like Denny Hamlin and stalwart organizations including Joe Gibbs Racing raising the competitive standard, every result from here on could shape the outcome of the championship. Fans, analysts, and key figures from California to the high banks of Bristol await to see if Larson and his teammates can return to winning form and stay alive in the championship chase.
