Kyle Larson delivered a remarkable performance in the playoffs race at Bristol Motor Speedway, putting on a show that left little doubt about his dominance. After struggling with a DNF at Atlanta and subpar finishes at Watkins Glen, Larson was in desperate need of a standout performance in the final race of the Round of 16—and he didn’t disappoint.
Not only did he clinch his fifth victory of the season, but he also swept the stage wins, making it a near-flawless race for him. What made the feat even more impressive was that Larson led an astonishing 462 laps, setting a new record for Hendrick Motorsports. Only Carl Yarborough, who led 496 laps in 1997, has led more at Bristol. Larson’s command of the track was so strong that it seemed like he couldn’t make a wrong move all night. However, despite his clear advantage, his crew chief, Cliff Daniels, knew they had to stay sharp and prepared for anything.
Larson and his team came into Bristol ready for a challenge, fully aware of the unpredictability that awaited them. One of the biggest concerns was how the tires would hold up on the racetrack, given the chaos of the spring race earlier in the year. Teams had to be on alert, expecting unexpected developments. Fortunately, the tires didn’t end up playing a significant role in the race’s outcome, and starting from the front row, Larson remained composed throughout, delivering a masterclass in race execution.
While it may have looked like a relatively smooth race from the outside, Daniels and the team were constantly on edge, aware of how a single caution could change everything. “It was an intense race for us, even if it didn’t look like it,” Daniels said. “We had to stay focused on how any caution would affect our tires, pit strategy, and fuel levels. I’m sure the fans might have wanted more drama with yellows, but for us, it was still a nail-biting race.”
Bristol has long been a stronghold for Kyle Larson, and his recent performances at the track underscore this fact. In his last five appearances on the concrete surface (excluding dirt races), he has finished in the top five, with two victories to his name. Daniels knew his driver was in his element at this track, and the team worked hard to give Larson every advantage. “Qualifying up front is key here, and we did that,” Daniels remarked. “Watching Kyle race at Bristol is something special because this track suits him so well. He’s incredible at it, and I couldn’t be more proud of him and the entire team.”
Larson’s journey through the playoffs had hit a rough patch, with early stumbles causing him to lose the points cushion he had built up during the regular season. However, his decisive win at Bristol put him back on top of the leaderboard, with a 15-point advantage over Christopher Bell. As the playoffs progress, Larson is in a strong position to extend that lead, especially with some favorable tracks on the horizon.
Next up for Larson is Kansas Speedway, a venue where he has consistently performed at a high level. In his last five starts there, he has secured two runner-up finishes and a win, never finishing outside the top 10 in the Next-Gen era. Tracks like Kansas, with their 1.5-mile and 1.3-mile layouts, have been Larson’s playground in 2024. Two of his five wins this season came on mile-and-a-half tracks (Kansas and Las Vegas), and he has shown his prowess on similar surfaces like Dover, New Hampshire, and Darlington.
Riding the momentum from his Bristol triumph, Larson heads into Kansas with plenty of confidence and the stats to back it up. Given his track record, it wouldn’t be surprising if he clinched his sixth win of the season and locked himself into the semi-finals. The stage is set for Larson to continue his playoff run, and if his recent form is any indication, he’s poised to make a deep run.
