Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson was thrilled after securing a top-five finish at the YellaWood 500 on October 6, 2024, at NASCAR’s longest track, Talladega Superspeedway. Larson not only finished fourth but also managed to avoid one of the largest wrecks in modern NASCAR history. This marked his best-ever performance at a superspeedway, a moment of pride for the #5 Chevy Camaro ZL1 driver after years of tough luck at these tracks.
In his 11 years of full-time Cup racing and 47 starts on superspeedways, this was only the second time Larson earned a top-five finish. He expressed his relief and satisfaction during a post-race interview, especially considering the chaotic wreck that unfolded on the backstretch. “Today was just that day where it worked out,” Larson said. “That wreck on the backstretch, in the past, that easily would’ve been us in the middle of it.”
Larson credited his team and the car for their strong performance, stating that despite starting at the back during the first stage, they executed well throughout the race. “We overcame restarting at the back and had a shot to win, so I was really happy about that,” he said. Though acknowledging some areas for improvement, Larson felt confident about the team’s overall execution and the result they achieved.
Before this race, Larson had been struggling at superspeedways, with his last top-five finish occurring in April 2022 at the GEICO 500. Since then, he hadn’t managed a top-ten finish at Talladega, with his best recent result being 15th at the YellaWood 500 in 2023. This fourth-place finish was a significant turnaround, showcasing his ability to navigate the unpredictable nature of superspeedway racing.
Larson’s performance at Talladega also had a major impact on his playoff standings. After a rocky start to the playoffs, including a DNF at the Quaker State 400 and a 26th-place finish in the first race of the Round of 12, his strong result at the YellaWood 500 gave him a crucial boost. Larson now ranks third in the playoff standings, with a solid buffer of 52 points above the cutline.
As NASCAR’s playoff heats up, Kyle Larson’s resurgence at Talladega may signal a pivotal moment in his chase for the championship.
