Kyle Larson, the defending NASCAR Cup champion, has encountered a series of setbacks in the opening races of the 2026 season, putting a spotlight on his current Kyle Larson NASCAR Cup struggles. After two events, his performance has left him 21st in the points standings, departing sharply from his strong start last year with finishes outside the top 15 at both Daytona and Atlanta, now known as EchoPark Speedway.
A Rocky Start to the Defense Campaign
Unlike his 2025 season, which began with consistent top-20 and podium placements, Larson’s defense of his title hit an early wall. Following a 16th-place finish at Daytona, hopes were high entering the Autotrader 400 at Atlanta. However, an incident while battling near the front for a stage finish derailed his efforts when he tangled with Shane van Gisbergen. The collision, which occurred near the exit of Turn 4, dealt significant damage to Larson’s car and sent him plummeting down the order, ultimately ending his race prematurely.
Reflections on Costly Errors at Atlanta
Larson openly addressed the mistakes that led to the disappointing outcome in Atlanta. The crash occurred as he moved low into the racing lane occupied by van Gisbergen’s No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Chevy while pushing for a strong stage result. The contact sent Larson spinning and resulted in a hard hit with the outside wall along the frontstretch.
“Yeah, I just screwed up. I knew the #45 was inside of me at a point in the corner and got clear of him. I didn’t quite realize that the #97 had gotten inside of him,”
– Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports driver.
“So, once I was clear, I just wanted to cut distance and shortcut my way to the finish of the stage. And the #97 was out of my mirror, and I just hung a quick left and ran right into him. So, nothing anybody else did wrong besides me, so just all on me, and (I) hate it.”
– Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports driver.
His frustration was clear as he admitted the error was entirely his own, not the result of another driver’s actions.
“That was completely my fault. So that’s what’s embarrassing and frustrating, and I just glad nobody else I don think got taken out in it too.”
– Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports driver.
Keeping the Big Picture in Sight
Despite the early setbacks, Larson is determined to remain levelheaded about his position in the championship. He emphasized that the season is still in its opening chapter, and there are many races left to recover lost ground.
“There’s still 20 (24) races or whatever left, so yeah, obviously you don’t want to compound it, but everybody wants to make a big deal out about points and stuff, points racing, points racing, but it’s still so early. To me, I don’t really think it changes a lot.”
– Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports driver.
Larson acknowledged the value of stacking good finishes but indicated he is not letting the early points deficit distract him from the long run. He noted that the car had good speed up to the incident at Atlanta, and he felt “comfortable in the groove” until that costly mistake happened.
Learning and Looking Ahead
While admitting the sting of causing his own downfall, Larson believes the experiences are helping the Hendrick Motorsports team advance, especially on drafting tracks such as Atlanta. For Larson, the disappointment was heightened by the sense that he could have fought for a stronger finish if not for the misjudgment in Stage 2.
The defending champion faces pressure to rebound, but his outlook balances self-critique with optimism. With well over twenty races remaining, Larson and the team are focusing on progress and consistency as the season moves forward. His candor and accountability in the aftermath set a determined tone for his campaign, underlining why he retains the confidence of his team and fans alike.
Hear from @KyleLarsonRacin after a wreck with Shane van Gisbergen ended his day.
Presenting Partner: @MyPlaceHotels pic.twitter.com/RXSY60dMhc
— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) February 22, 2026
