Kyle Larson’s struggles on NASCAR’s superspeedways came into focus once again after his recent performance at Talladega. While Larson is recognized as one of the most skilled drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series, his results on superspeedways don’t align with his usual dominance on other tracks. Despite clinching a top-five finish at Talladega, the California native’s overall record on these high-speed circuits remains below par, contrasting with his otherwise stellar career.
As the driver of the #5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, Larson has built an impressive 12-year NASCAR career, racking up 46 wins across all of the sport’s top divisions. His standout season came in 2021 when he not only secured the regular-season championship but also captured his first Cup Series title. However, since joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2021, his performance on superspeedways has been a noticeable weak spot. His average finish at Talladega stands at a disappointing 22.8, and his recent fourth-place finish in the Yellawood 500 marks only the second time in his entire career that Larson has finished in the top five on a superspeedway, the first being at Talladega in the spring of 2022.
Out of 41 starts on superspeedways since 2014, Larson has managed just nine top-ten finishes, raising concerns about his ability to consistently perform on these tracks. His best finish at Daytona dates back to 2016, where he secured a respectable sixth-place result. Nevertheless, Larson’s fourth-place finish at Talladega in the Yellawood 500 has pushed him up to P4 in the driver standings, placing him in between Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Christopher Bell (P3) and Denny Hamlin (P5) as the playoff battle intensifies.
After the race, Larson expressed his satisfaction with his top-five finish at Talladega, given the challenges he faced throughout the event. A pit stop delay on lap 64, caused by a slow refuel, set him back several positions on the track. However, Larson showed resilience by battling his way back into the top ranks. Following an overtime restart after a multi-car wreck, Larson held his position in fourth place and crossed the finish line to secure valuable points. Reflecting on the race, Larson acknowledged the team’s strong execution and credited luck for helping him avoid trouble, saying, “Eventually, it’s got to work out, and today was just that day. We had a great car and executed really well.”
With a 52-point lead ahead of the Round of 8 cut-off line, Larson is in a relatively strong position. However, the pressure remains as the upcoming Round of 12 finale at Charlotte will be critical in determining which drivers advance in the playoffs. While his superspeedway record might be a concern, Larson’s strong overall performance this season keeps him firmly in contention for his second Cup Series championship.
Kyle Larson continues to struggle with poor performances at superspeedways
