Kyle Larson, who will represent Hendrick Motorsports in the No. 5 Chevrolet during the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series event, addressed the press ahead of the practice and qualifying sessions at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course. As the defending winner on the 2.28-mile ROVAL circuit, Larson returns with both confidence and a deep focus, aiming to make a strong impression at a pivotal point in the playoffs. With Charlotte being a local race for Larson, expectations are high for another standout performance. The Charlotte ROVAL Media session highlighted his hopes and insights, particularly around the ongoing challenges and adjustments drivers face on this technical track, making the Kyle Larson Charlotte ROVAL Media storyline one of the weekend’s most intriguing developments.
Assessing New Changes to the Track
One of the primary topics addressed was the introduction of tire packs in Turns Seven and 17, which are intended to alter racing lines and, potentially, strategies. Larson noted after watching recent truck races that these tire packs haven’t significantly hindered drivers yet, suggesting their placement is effective for now. He commented that these additions offer a valuable visual aid, especially on the frontstretch, giving competitors a clearer reference point for positioning cars during high-speed sections of the course. Larson also pointed out that the hairpin feels less expansive than before, likely discouraging overly aggressive dives during restarts. This update means drivers are less likely to cut corners—a habit observed in previous events—ensuring a safer and more regulated route through some of the ROVAL’s most crucial turns.
The Value of Starting Position at the ROVAL
Qualifying is extremely important everywhere, but especially on the road courses, I feel like. It’s just really, really hard to pass because we’re all pretty similar, I feel like. Your brake zones are a little bit more in control than we used to have with the old car and all that. So yeah, qualifying has just become way more important at all types of tracks, but especially the road courses.
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Larson emphasized the heightened difficulty of overtaking competitors on road courses, with Charlotte’s venue ranking especially high in that regard. He explained that, compared to older vehicles, newer setups leave little margin for late braking or finding unique passing opportunities, underscoring the importance of earning a strong grid position in qualifying. This reflects how the technical nature of the ROVAL amplifies the significance of qualifying rounds, and why teams are putting added emphasis on getting up front early for this weekend.
The Significance of Racing at Home
Yeah, it’s cool. It’s great to be here at home; sleep in your own bed, drive to the track and drive home. You have a lot of people from the shop that don’t get to go to maybe any race throughout the year that get to come here to Charlotte. I would say the weeks are a little busier because you are at home and they know you’re at home. But it’s still great to be here; you get to have a family here and all that.
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Charlotte is more than just another stop on the NASCAR circuit for many drivers, especially for Larson. The local event allows drivers and crew members, many of whom rarely leave for away races, to participate more fully in the festivities. It’s a unique opportunity for the entire Hendrick Motorsports group, which has its operations in Charlotte, to be involved. However, being close to home also brings an extra level of busyness, as more local obligations and personal connections fill the weekend. Nonetheless, Larson views these challenges as outweighed by the advantages of local support and family presence.
Challenges Unique to the Charlotte Road Course
The Charlotte ROVAL presents its own distinct set of difficulties not found elsewhere on the circuit. Larson described the road course as bumpy, with specific mention to the unevenness in turns one and two. The aging racing surface demands careful car control, especially when exiting the hairpin and negotiating sections like the bus stop and chicane. While each track in the series offers its own tests, Charlotte’s combination of worn pavement and technical maneuvers makes for a particularly tough road course. Mastery of these features has separated top contenders from the rest throughout the course’s brief but eventful history on the NASCAR Cup circuit.
Learning from Watching Other Series
I don’t know… I feel like a road course race, you’re mostly just watching as a fan. Everybody’s running similar lines and stuff. But I think just seeing areas where people are making moves to pass or how much of a curb that they’re using, stuff like that. So, yeah, you can pick up something every time you watch a race.
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Larson cited the value of observing races in other series, such as the Truck and Xfinity Series, as a way to glean minor insights into the evolving strategies for the ROVAL. Although most drivers run comparable lines and approaches on road courses, subtle differences—such as where overtakes occur and how aggressively drivers use curbing—provide incremental learnings that can influence decisions during the main Cup race. This continuous learning process is a key part of preparation and adaptation for top competitors entering a variable setting like the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.
Adapting to Change and Ongoing Tire Evolution
Larson discussed the nuances of the Next Gen car’s behavior at the ROVAL, admitting that initial discomfort in past years required significant adjustment within the team’s setup. Through diligent work, the No. 5 team achieved a car balance that fostered both comfort and speed, a factor Larson credits for his previous victories at Charlotte. The current challenge for drivers and crew is the introduction of new tire compounds, which alters car dynamics and, consequently, affects the entire approach to race day. While Larson acknowledged less-than-stellar results on road courses this year with the updated tire, he remains cautiously optimistic that new setups can help recover lost ground at the ROVAL this time around.
Playoff Performance and Future Strategy
This round has gone pretty well. I feel like both of the two races have been pretty similar. Really, a few of the races have been similar, where we’ve gotten a lot of stage points and then didn’t finish as high as we had run in the first two stages. But I feel like our speed has gotten better. I feel like we’re executing well. As you get into the next round, it’s time to turn the intensity up and take a little bit more risk and things like that. I feel like our team has quietly been getting better for a while now. I feel like each week, we’re continuing to get better. It’s exciting going to the track and it’s just an exciting time of year right now. It’s fun and hopefully we can keep elevating and be where we need to be come Martinsville.
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Entering the Charlotte ROVAL as part of the elimination stage in the playoffs, Larson expressed satisfaction with recent team performance. The team has consistently collected important stage points but noted the need for improved race-end finishes. Looking toward the next round, Larson acknowledged the necessity of increased risk-taking and strategic adjustment, a natural escalation as the championship chase narrows. He conveyed that the Hendrick Motorsports team has been on a steady upward climb, with momentum and execution both improving as critical races approach.
Memorable Victories and Team Resilience
Recalling an eventful 2021 outing at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, Larson described overcoming mechanical setbacks, particularly with the car’s battery and alternator. He highlighted how the team quickly diagnosed and fixed the problem, allowing them to continue racing and ultimately secure an unexpected victory. That triumph, viewed in retrospect, felt almost like a championship win, as the outcome seemed unlikely in the moment. Larson drew parallels between that day and recent standout performances by drivers like Corey Heim, noting the unpredictable, dramatic nature of Cup Series racing at the ROVAL.
Facing Competitors and SVG’s Streak
I don’t think there’s anything I do better than SVG (laughs)…
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Larson acknowledged Shane van Gisbergen‘s recent impressive victories, recognizing the skills that SVG brings to road course events. Despite his own successes at Charlotte, Larson admitted that the recent tire changes and the evolving nature of his own driving style have made it a challenge to keep up with the category’s most dominant current road course racer. He credits his team’s overall execution and hopes it will match up to their competitors, especially as the playoffs create extra pressure to perform. As road course races become more decisive, experience and adaptation play increasingly critical roles in determining who emerges as the frontrunner.
Balancing Risk and Opportunity in the Playoffs
Larson explained that, especially in the playoffs, the calculation of risk becomes sharper. While in earlier rounds a conservative strategy might suffice, the later elimination rounds demand greater aggression and a willingness to seize opportunities—even if that means risking points or position. Success at Charlotte could set the stage for another deep playoff run, but Larson emphasized that decisions on risk will remain situational, hinging on car performance, points standings, and track position from race to race.
Dirt Racing Pedigree and Road Course Adaptation
I think for me, I definitely feel like I adapted okay to road course racing, given I had zero experience at it before I came to NASCAR… not even a go-kart or anything. These cars are a little different now, the Next Gen cars, than back when I started. In a sprint car, you have a lot more travel and feel of the car moving around. We’d get on an oval and everything was just so stiff and rigid. But when you get to a road course, things are just floppier. You can feel the tire and feel the suspension. I thought I could feel the car better on a road course and communicate about what I’m feeling and changes and stuff like that better than I could on an oval there for a minute. I think there’s that part of it probably that translated well.
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Despite not having a background in road course or kart racing prior to NASCAR, Larson credits his experience in dirt sprint cars with assisting his adaptation. The feel for tire behavior and suspension movement on dirt helped him quickly communicate setup needs and feedback to his crew, particularly on the softer-feeling Next Gen cars used on the ROVAL. This adaptability has contributed to Larson’s strong record on a variety of tracks, reinforcing the crossover value of a diverse driving skill set.
Scheduling and the Decline of Dirt Racing During Playoffs
Just a product of scheduling. There’s really not any mid-week racing right now. I don’t feel a need to go race in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, on a Friday night; get home here at 2 a.m. and then have to get on track during the playoffs. A little bit more focus on the playoffs, but also scheduling just doesn’t work out.
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Larson mentioned his reduced frequency of dirt racing as the NASCAR season progresses into its final stages. This decision, driven primarily by scheduling rather than choice, has provided greater concentration on NASCAR’s playoff campaign. With midweek dirt races scarce and the stakes at their highest on the Cup circuit, Larson views now as the time to prioritize preparation and performance at key events, such as the Charlotte ROVAL, over extracurricular competition.
Looking Ahead at Charlotte and Beyond
As practice and qualifying approach, attention is firmly set on how well the Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 team can adapt to new challenges on the ROVAL. The upcoming race could prove pivotal, with competitors like Shane van Gisbergen setting the pace for others to follow. In a tightly contested playoff season that will see NASCAR’s best vying for a spot in the championship rounds, each race at Charlotte takes on added weight. Larson, reflecting the optimism and drive evident in his remarks, hopes to capitalize on both home track advantage and hard-earned lessons from a year of evolution and risk. With the elimination round upon them and future rounds looming, every decision and adjustment will be magnified, offering fans and teams a dramatic finish to an already thrilling playoff campaign.
