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Kyle Larson’s bold claim that he was better than Max Verstappen sparked immediate comparisons between the two racing giants. Both drivers, dominant in their respective sports, seemed destined to glide to championships. Yet, as the season unfolded, unexpected challenges arose for both of them, proving that even the best aren’t immune to sudden shifts in fortune. Atlanta Motor Speedway became a defining moment, not just for Larson but for NASCAR’s veteran racers as well.
Kyle Petty, a racing veteran with a wealth of experience, was quick to point out that what happened in Atlanta might signal a turning point. He suggested that this race could mark the beginning of the end for one particular driver. The spotlight was on Kyle Larson, who acknowledged his mistake, attributing his crash during Sunday’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway to a brief loss of control—a culmination of tense moments through the track’s high-banked first and second turns.
Behind the glow of Joey Logano’s victory lay the shadow of Larson’s costly error. Petty didn’t hold back when analyzing what this meant for Larson. “We saw the No. 5 car, Kyle Larson, running all by himself. Everything looked good, and then—boom—he’s in the wall. He loses 20 points just like that. These guys have worked themselves into a hole, and for me, these were three of the guys I expected to reach the final four. Maybe even the final eight. It was a terrible day for them.”
Petty’s blunt assessment didn’t come from speculation; it came from experience. With multiple wins and high-ranking finishes under his belt, he knew what such errors meant, not just for Larson but for drivers like Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin, all three of whom were seen as top contenders for the Cup. Larson, more than anyone, understands the weight of winning. His 2021 title run was a storybook season, with commanding victories in races like Bristol and Charlotte ROVAL. That’s why seeing him crash out of a strong position in Atlanta was so unusual for a driver of his skill.
In the first stage of the race, Larson was cruising effortlessly to the top, as one would expect from a driver of his caliber. But then, in an unexpected turn of events, he spun out and crashed into the wall at a terrifying 160 mph. Flames engulfed the engine as the car screeched to a stop. “I don’t know if I blew a tire or what,” Larson muttered, stunned, as he emerged unscathed from the wreck.
While Larson walked away without injury, the chaos of the crash dragged down fellow competitor Chase Briscoe, leaving him with a score of -21 points, plummeting him to the bottom of the standings. Larson didn’t fare much better. Despite walking away from the crash, his position in the standings suffered, as he only managed to scrape by with a single point from Atlanta, leaving him just three positions away from elimination.
While Larson remained relatively quiet about the situation, Kyle Petty’s sharp critique didn’t go unanswered. However, it wasn’t Larson who clapped back. Denny Hamlin, another seasoned driver and rival, decided to take the floor.
Hamlin wasn’t one to shy away from addressing the criticism, and he did so with his usual candor. “I think teams are smarter now than they used to be,” Hamlin remarked. “I’m not saying this was the perfect strategy, but it was the one I wanted to go with for the day. At Watkins Glen, we’ve got a new tire that’s apparently going to have a lot of wear, and that could either work in your favor or against you.”
Pit stop strategies are always a gamble in racing, and Hamlin’s aggressive approach didn’t pan out as well as he hoped. The loss of 20 points stung, but Hamlin stood by his decision. Both he and Larson now find themselves at a critical juncture in the season, where every point counts, and their championship hopes hang in the balance.
For Larson, Watkins Glen presents an opportunity to redeem himself. Historically, the No. 5 team has performed exceptionally well at the 2.45-mile road course, making it a promising venue for a comeback. Yet, the challenge of tire wear at the Glen looms large, and Larson acknowledged that it could heavily influence the outcome of the race.
“I always have points on my mind,” Larson admitted. “I’m glad we’re heading to a track where we’re competitive, but there’s still the unknown factor with the tire wear. If we can have a solid day and gain 10 to 15 points, I’ll feel a lot better heading into Bristol.”
After the first race of the playoff’s opening round, Larson finds himself in 10th place in the standings, trailing all his Hendrick Motorsports teammates. If he doesn’t secure a victory soon, he risks falling out of contention, just as Petty predicted.
The next race at Watkins Glen could very well determine the fate of many playoff contenders, including Larson. As the pressure mounts, all eyes will be on him to see if he can deliver when it matters most. Stay tuned for more updates as the race for the championship intensifies.