Kyle Larson’s 2024 season was filled with ups and downs, but one thing is clear—he was one of the most dominant drivers on the track. Despite six race wins and making an appearance in IndyCar, Larson faced a crushing setback: missing out on a chance to compete for the NASCAR championship.
A season that saw him lead over 400 laps in a single race, yet fail to reach the Championship 4, left many fans questioning NASCAR’s playoff system. When Joey Logano was crowned champion, the result sparked a debate about the fairness of the format, with Larson himself delivering a damning eight-word verdict on NASCAR’s biggest issue.
Larson didn’t mince words when discussing NASCAR’s playoff structure, pointing out that it undermines the true value of the championship. With eight drivers battling for four coveted spots in the final, Larson found himself eliminated in the Round of 8. Despite consistently finishing in the top positions, including a third-place finish at Martinsville, his lack of stage points and a few costly mistakes put his championship hopes out of reach. A pit-road error in Las Vegas and a tire failure in Homestead-Miami were significant hurdles. Larson’s frustrations only deepened as the playoff system failed to account for his overall performance across the season.
Speaking candidly about his experience, Larson emphasized how tough it is to win six races and remain competitive across the season. “I think the format in a way devalues a championship,” Larson said. His frustration was clear as he expressed pride in his team’s effort, despite the system’s flaws. While he wasn’t able to capture the title, Larson acknowledged the difficulties of competing in the Next-Gen era, a sentiment that resonated with many fans who saw his consistent dominance throughout the year.
Meanwhile, Joey Logano’s path to the championship was a stark contrast. Logano won races, but his overall performance was inconsistent, finishing the season with an average position of 17. While his late-season performances earned him a spot in the final, many fans felt that his championship win was a result of luck and clutch performances in the final rounds.
This created a cloud of doubt over whether Logano truly deserved the title, casting a shadow on his achievement. Even NASCAR legend Richard Petty acknowledged that Logano’s path to the championship was more about luck, with a key disqualification helping him make it to the Round of 8.
Ultimately, Larson’s talent and impressive statistics couldn’t secure him a shot at the championship due to the unforgiving nature of the playoff format. Despite the setback, Larson maintained a positive outlook. He admitted that missing out on Phoenix was disappointing, but he found solace in the fact that he finished the season with the most wins.
“To me, these days, that’s as important as winning a championship,” Larson said. Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Larson remains optimistic, eager to build on his success and overcome the challenges of NASCAR’s complex playoff system.
