The Kyle Larson Las Vegas race ended in heartbreak after Denny Hamlin’s late-race charge edged out the Hendrick Motorsports driver for victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 13, 2025. Larson, who led more than half the laps, was left reflecting on what might have been after a pivotal caution and a relentless push by Hamlin shifted the outcome in the final moments.
Hendrick Motorsports Battles Up Front Before Dramatic Finish
Heading into the weekend, Hendrick Motorsports, whose lineup included both Kyle Larson and William Byron, carried heightened expectations after showing strong pace throughout practice and qualifying. Early in the race, both Larson and Byron managed to wrestle the lead from pole-sitter Denny Hamlin, showcasing their car speed and execution on pit road. Despite their dominant performances during much of the 267-lap event, strategy and circumstance set the stage for a tense finish against Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota team from Joe Gibbs Racing.
Larson emerged as the commanding presence up front, leading for 129 laps and building a promising gap after Byron was collected in a crash with Ty Dillon. With momentum on his side and a comfortable lead, Larson seemed poised for victory. Fate, however, intervened with a caution flag that bunched up the field and handed an advantage to Hamlin, whose Toyota excelled on short runs. In the closing five laps, Hamlin seized his moment, overtook Larson, and powered away to claim his milestone 60th career win—a significant achievement for both driver and team.
Kyle Larson Reflects on the Race’s Turning Point
Larson’s post-race comments highlighted both the razor-thin margins of elite NASCAR competition and the particular speed Hamlin displayed in the final laps. He analyzed how the final caution neutralized his hard-earned advantage and provided his rival with the opportunity to strike.
Yeah, I mean, I thought I had a big enough gap down the backstretch to go to the top and get rolling momentum. But yeah, his car, the Toyotas in general, were really, really, really fast on the short run and had a lot of speed. Yeah, he must have nailed the bottom behind me, he got to my inside, and it was kind of over from there.
— Kyle Larson
Larson acknowledged Hamlin’s racecraft and determination in those decisive laps. The two have crossed paths numerous times in the battle for wins, but this instance, in Larson’s words, underscored Hamlin’s ability to deliver under pressure.
But he did an awesome job. He got up on the wheel there. I mean, I felt like I was up on the wheel, and he did a really good job. I tried to take his line away in three and four, and he got to my outside. So, rarely do you see Denny do that, and he did a great job. So, hats off to them.
Kyle Larson added.
Despite the loss, Larson was gracious in defeat, emphasizing the excellence of Hamlin and his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing team and noting the near-perfect execution it took to close out such a contest at Las Vegas.
Larson Stays Focused on Playoff Points and Team Success
Although a win would have secured a berth in the championship finale, Kyle Larson remains pragmatic about his chances this NASCAR postseason. The P2 finish delivered a valuable points haul, putting him 35 markers above the playoff cut line—a substantial cushion as the series advances to Talladega and Martinsville.
Hats off to my team, too. We had an awesome day as well. I think we were second maybe in the first stage, won the next stage, and second in the race. You know, good points day, obviously.
Kyle Larson said.
— Kyle Larson
Larson credited his Hendrick Motorsports crew for consistent performance throughout the day, pointing to stage wins and podium finishes as proof of the team’s strength. He also expressed relief at scoring points even as the race’s chaotic second half seemed to threaten his strong finish.
Would have liked the issue with the 10 and the 24 to not happen because we had just kind of taken control of the race there and was gonna kind of switch to the victory. That’s racing, and it gets crazy. Happy though still to get a good finish, it was getting hectic there.
Kyle Larson added.
— Kyle Larson
The untimely wreck involving Ty Dillon and William Byron, another Hendrick Motorsports challenger, altered the race’s momentum dramatically. Larson pointed to that moment as a turning point that potentially robbed him and the team of a shot at victory, but ultimately accepted the unpredictable nature of competition at this level.
Looking Ahead: Larson’s Playoff Aspirations Remain Strong
As one of the key contenders remaining in the hunt for the championship, the 2021 Cup Series champion sits in a position of strength entering the next playoff rounds. His cushion over the cut line could allow Larson and his No. 5 Chevy crew to take calculated risks at Talladega and Martinsville in pursuit of another win and a guaranteed spot in the season finale. The Hendrick Motorsports team, which has seen its share of ups and downs this year, remains a formidable presence, bolstered by Larson’s confidence and the points advantage he enjoys.
With rivals such as Hamlin riding the high of a major victory and others like Ryan Blaney determined to rebound from setbacks, the remaining playoff races promise intensity, high drama, and uncertainty. All eyes will be on whether Larson can convert his consistency and speed into a championship opportunity when the field narrows further after the next two events at iconic tracks.
The Kyle Larson Las Vegas race outcome is a reminder of racing’s uncertainty, its heartbreaks and exhilarations—poised now to shape the remainder of the NASCAR season as teams and drivers battle for every inch and every point.
Kyle Larson on the caution that he didn’t want and whether Denny Hamlin is now the championship favorite: pic.twitter.com/6Ilcz4Z6AK
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 13, 2025
