Kyle Larson, the only previous winner in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Four, addressed speculation about a potential advantage heading into the race at Phoenix Raceway this weekend. Despite his past title, Larson insisted there is no clear favorite among the contenders, emphasizing the high level of competition. The Kyle Larson NASCAR Championship outlook remains grounded, with Larson reinforcing the parity among all drivers and teams vying for the crown.
Larson Dismisses the Notion of a Front-Runner
During a media session before the race at Phoenix, Kyle Larson, who won the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Championship, made it clear that he does not see himself as holding an edge over the rest of the field. He acknowledged his championship experience, but stressed the caliber of his competitors and the quality of their teams.
“Sure, we could all probably think up a reason of why there could be an edge that I would have,”
said Kyle Larson, Driver, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.
Despite his status, Larson explained that previous victories do not necessarily translate into an advantage at this stage. His perspective reflects the respect he holds for the other championship hopefuls, distancing himself from assumptions about favoritism.
“But we’ll see. I think having won before, I am a champion, so if I win another one, great. if I don’t, I’m still on the list. There’s that. But I don’t think that gives you any sort of competitive advantage.”
– Kyle Larson, Driver, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Performance Heading into the Phoenix Showdown
At 33, Larson’s record this season stands out; he has secured three wins, has surpassed 1,000 laps led for the fifth time in his career, and has achieved the most top-10 finishes (21) among the current title competitors. Only Joe Gibbs Racing’s Chase Briscoe exceeds him in top-five finishes, with 15 to Larson’s 14.
Even though Larson has not won a Cup Series race since May 11 at Kansas, he expresses assurance in his team’s position and momentum as they head for Phoenix. His history at Phoenix Raceway is strong, featuring 14 top-10 finishes in 22 starts, including the career-defining 2021 victory and four top-five placements in the last five races at the venue.
“Just really excited to get on track and see if it’s what I expect it to be. But all four of us are going to be really good,”
said Kyle Larson, Driver, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.
“We all have experience winning here,”
he said, pausing with a grin,
“But I’d really like to win this fall.”
– Kyle Larson, Driver, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Spotlight on Chase Briscoe’s Unexpected Run
Chase Briscoe, now with Joe Gibbs Racing, is making his Championship Four debut after a remarkable turnaround. Last year, he faced the emotional ordeal of leaving Stewart-Haas Racing at the season’s end, with no hint that this season would bring him so close to a title opportunity.
“It is crazy, what a difference a year can make,”
said Chase Briscoe, Driver, Joe Gibbs Racing, speaking during the Championship Four Media Day at Phoenix Raceway.
Briscoe recounted how last year’s final race with Stewart-Haas Racing was bittersweet, as the team lingered at the track, reluctant to end their journey together. The experience marked the close of one chapter and the uncertain beginning of another.
“We were the last people to leave last year, because we didn’t want it to end. We knew when we walked out of the tunnel that that group would never be together again. They literally kicked us out. They forced us to leave. We were here longer than the champions.”
– Chase Briscoe, Driver, Joe Gibbs Racing
This year, Briscoe’s victory at the Southern 500—on the final race before the playoffs—secured him an unexpected postseason berth, though he exited in the Round of 12. A subsequent move to Joe Gibbs Racing reinvigorated his season, as he netted three wins, including a pivotal one at Talladega, which clinched his place among the championship contenders.
Support and High Expectations for Briscoe
Despite stepping away from Stewart-Haas Racing, Briscoe retains strong ties with his former group. That support has stayed with him throughout his first season with Joe Gibbs Racing.
“This week, all the 14 guys—we still have a group chat—they all were sending me motivational videos and trying to pump me up. (Former crew chief Richard) Boswell sent me a text this morning and sent me a video of all his kids wishing me good luck.”
– Chase Briscoe, Driver, Joe Gibbs Racing
Entering the season finale, Briscoe is the only driver among the final four who has not competed for a NASCAR Cup title before. Even prior to joining Joe Gibbs Racing, he recognized the elevated expectations that came with the move.
“I’ve raced against Joe Gibbs Racing, so I knew that, if everything went well, there was a very good likelihood that you’d be racing for a championship,”
said Chase Briscoe, Driver, Joe Gibbs Racing. He added that the results this year have exceeded both his and the team’s hopes for a debut season together.
“It would mean a lot to do it in year one, just with everything, with Coach (Joe Gibbs) obviously taking a chance on me. Just to start our tenure off together winning a championship would be pretty cool, but it would certainly make the expectations going forward way harder.”
– Chase Briscoe, Driver, Joe Gibbs Racing
Championship Outlook: Competitive Balance and Legacy
As Phoenix Raceway prepares to host the climactic NASCAR Cup Series Championship event, the sentiments and achievements of drivers like Kyle Larson and Chase Briscoe reflect the emotional and competitive intensity of the season’s finale. Despite Larson’s previous triumph and Briscoe’s breakthrough year with Joe Gibbs Racing, neither perceives a straightforward path to the title. Instead, their perspectives underscore both the unpredictability and the parity that define elite NASCAR competition, promising a battle where experience, team support, and current momentum will all be tested under the Arizona sun.
