Denny Hamlin has named Kyle Larson as one of the main contenders for the upcoming Kansas playoff race, highlighting Larson’s skill at running the top lane—a crucial factor at Kansas Speedway. As attention turns to the next stage in the playoffs, Hamlin emphasized why the “Kyle Larson Kansas playoff race” narrative deserves attention among NASCAR fans and experts alike.
Hamlin Highlights Larson’s Edge at Kansas Speedway
Denny Hamlin, representing Joe Gibbs Racing, explained why he sees Kyle Larson as a top pick for victory in Kansas. Hamlin noted Larson’s mastery of carrying speed along the upper groove, a characteristic that could provide a distinct advantage at the challenging Wyandotte County circuit.
Hamlin pointed out that certain drivers are particularly skilled at using the high line to their benefit on this 1.5-mile track, where that ability often separates the frontrunners. The significance of this skill is underscored by Larson’s impressive statistics at Kansas Speedway. The Hendrick Motorsports driver not only won the spring race at the venue but has also collected two other victories there. Additionally, he holds the top mark for winning percentage (28.5%) and average finish (6.3) during the Next Gen Era.
Larson Faces Challenges Despite Strong Record
Despite his credentials, Larson comes into this stage of the playoffs without a win since his ill-fated bid at the Indy-Charlotte double. His recent performances have shown that while he remains a regular among the leading qualifiers, translating that to race-day success has been difficult. Larson’s seventh-place at New Hampshire stands as his only top-10 result in the playoffs so far, a reminder of the competitive pressure at this point in the season.
Still, Hamlin remains optimistic, believing that Larson is equipped to succeed at Kansas thanks to his familiar dominance on similar tracks.
“There are certainly guys that are better at it than others, and we’re going to see that. There are just guys like Larson who know how to run the top lane there as good as anyone, and they can carry a car better than most drivers,” he said, via Jayski.com
Larson and Hamlin on Tackling the Top Lane
For his part, Kyle Larson offered a nuanced perspective on what it takes to navigate Kansas Speedway’s top lane during critical playoff races. He acknowledged that much of the field tends to use the uppermost part of the circuit, but strategic adaptation throughout the run can offer drivers added grip and advantage.
“For the most part, everyone runs the top, but I feel like at the end of the run you can kind of move around and find some grip. It’s probably our best track for Next Gen racing because of the options.”
Meanwhile, Hamlin’s own recent experience at Kansas was less fortunate, as he was forced to retire early, joining a group of seven who did not finish. Entering the race, Hamlin is now two spots behind Larson in the playoff standings and occupies fifth place, holding a 27-point advantage over the cutoff.
23XI Racing’s Playoff Objectives as Outlined by Hamlin
Hamlin also discussed his targets for 23XI Racing during the latest “Actions Detrimental” podcast episode, addressing the team’s strategy as the playoffs progress. According to the veteran driver and team owner, sustained strong performances are vital, particularly if a race win proves elusive in the coming rounds.
“You can go out there, and you can have yourself a 50-point day at Kansas, and next thing you know, I bet you’re going to be minus five, or what’s maybe flat,” he said via X/DirtyMoMedia. [0:44 onwards]
“They need a 50 point day and then they need to follow that up at the next track with a 35 point day and I think they have a chance,” Denny Hamlin added.
Hamlin’s assessment comes after Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick, both competing for 23XI Racing, endured difficult outings at the Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Wallace and Reddick finished outside the top-20, with Reddick salvaging a top-10 in Stage 1 but ultimately claiming the 21st position overall.
The result has placed both Wallace and Reddick in a precarious position for the playoffs. Reddick is 23 points below the playoff cutline, and Wallace trails by 27 points, making points accumulation at Kansas and the following events even more critical for their postseason hopes.
What This Means Heading Into Kansas
Looking ahead to the Kansas playoff race, the focus will remain on Kyle Larson and whether his skill at the top lane can overcome his recent run of underwhelming results. Denny Hamlin’s endorsement, alongside Larson’s proven track record at Kansas Speedway, sets the stage for high expectations in Wyandotte County.
At the same time, teams like 23XI Racing face mounting pressure, with team owner Hamlin stressing consistency as the key to surviving the next playoff rounds. As each point becomes increasingly valuable, drivers such as Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick will need standout performances to stay alive in the championship chase. The Kansas event promises to be a pivotal moment in the ongoing NASCAR playoffs, drawing underdog enthusiasts, frontrunners, and the sport’s most passionate fans to witness the action unfold.
