Kyle Larson championship hopes are quickly gaining momentum after his strong second-place finish at the Charlotte Roval, marking a crucial upswing for the Hendrick Motorsports driver in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Larson’s advancement to the Round of 8 comes after a challenging run marked by inconsistency, reviving championship conversations for the popular driver as the season intensifies.
Larson Regains Momentum With Charlotte Roval Performance
Kyle Larson returned to championship form with his runner-up showing at Charlotte, a performance that snapped a cycle of six finishes outside the top 20. Earlier in the season, following his failed Double Duty effort, Larson managed just three top fives in 18 races, and his sole victory of the year arrived in Kansas during May. Not since his 2019 stint with Chip Ganassi Racing has he experienced such a lean stretch.
Despite his struggles, Larson’s command on the track remained evident—he leads all drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series for laps led, boasting 971 at the front this year. His spring results showcased dominance, as he tallied three wins in the opening 12 races. However, converting that speed into wins was an issue until the recent turnaround; following a disappointing Round of 16 in the playoffs with no top-10s, Larson delivered three consecutive top-10 finishes: seventh at New Hampshire, sixth at Kansas, and second at Charlotte Roval.
This improvement has confirmed just how composed and battle-tested the No. 5 team, led by Cliff Daniels, has become under pressure. Championship pedigree is returning at a key moment.
Emergence as a Serious Title Contender
At Charlotte, Larson displayed confidence and poise, especially during the Roval 400, where he secured nine points in Stage 1 and solidified his passage into the Round of 8. He was one of the few able to consistently chase Shane van Gisbergen on raw speed, and his battle throughout the race highlighted the level of control that once defined his championship season.
Mid-race, Larson moved to the front on Lap 63, trailed by Christopher Bell, and maintained position through green-flag pit cycles. The intensity ramped up as van Gisbergen executed a precise inside move at Turn 7, regaining the lead on Lap 96, which led to a memorable duel and late-race contact between the two before van Gisbergen ultimately pulled away with 11 laps remaining.
Larson’s confidence on road courses, where he previously finished in the 30s four times this year, was a key talking point for Steve Letarte, the former Hendrick Motorsports crew chief and current NBC analyst.
“I’ll be the guy that jumps on the grade here. Something changed (with) the team. I don’t know the details… but Cliff Daniels kind of made a statement last week about how the team’s been through more than the world knows…. The 5 had a slump. Now, I know he didn’t win, he didn’t come back and win, but he (looks like Kyle Larson again) yeah.. Like if Larson wins at Vegas, and that was four weeks ago, I’d be like, ‘Hell, where’d he come from.’ Now I’d be like, ‘Yep we saw this one coming,” Letarte said on NBC’s Inside the Race podcast (33:31 onwards).
Larson enters the next playoff phase seeded third, trailing only Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney, but is even on points with William Byron as the Round of 8 commences.
High Hopes Heading Into the Round of 8
The schedule ahead aligns favorably for Larson’s championship ambitions. The next race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, known to be one of Larson’s strongest venues, comes at the perfect time. His record at this 1.5-mile oval is unmatched in the current field, featuring three victories, 13 top-10s in 18 starts, and the best average finish of 9.4. Additionally, having led over 650 laps at Las Vegas, coupled with Hendrick Motorsports’ continued improvements on intermediate tracks, expectations are justifiably high.
Yet, challenges remain. Talladega is the unpredictable element—Larson has never won there in 21 starts, with just a single runner-up placing last season. Martinsville brings renewed optimism, however. Across his last six trips to the Virginia short track, the No. 5 driver has finished in the top 10 every time, including capturing a win. His 5.4 average at Martinsville, only narrowly behind Blaney’s 4.6, stands out in the Next-Gen car era.
Larson addressed his outlook moving into this crucial stretch on the Stacking Pennies podcast:
“I actually really like the Round of Eight. Vegas, I think, is going to be a great track for us. Talladega — hopefully, if it goes like the other speedways have this year, I think we can score good points. And then Martinsville is, oddly, our best track statistically.” (53:37 pmwards)
Assessing the Competitive Landscape as Playoffs Intensify
Competition in the Round of 8 is ferocious. Team Penske’s Fords have seized victory at three of the final four tracks this year, demonstrating strength on flat ovals that will be crucial in the coming races. Meanwhile, Toyota drivers Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell, both delivering strong intermediate performances, remain major threats. Hendrick Motorsports, led by Cliff Daniels and supporting both Larson and William Byron, has progressively improved on flat tracks, though their pace still lags behind Penske’s recent dominance.
The championship finale at Phoenix is expected to play into the hands of Team Penske, particularly Ryan Blaney, who has established himself as the benchmark with consistent speed and outstanding pit crew execution. For Larson, his 2021 championship reign serves as both motivation and a reminder that maintaining such form is critical—perfection across all upcoming events will be necessary, not just sporadic flashes of brilliance.
Outlook: Larson’s Championship Hopes Burn Bright
As the Playoffs progress into the most pivotal stages, Kyle Larson championship hopes look stronger than at any point since the early spring. His recent resurgence ensures that the energy and focus around his campaign remain intense, with fans and analysts alike watching closely. All eyes turn now to Las Vegas, Talladega, Martinsville, and ultimately Phoenix, where every lap and pit stop could shape the next NASCAR Cup Series champion.
