16 months51 races
If it wasn’t for the truth that the punditry has made an enormous deal out of this, Kyle Larson would not know or would not care how lengthy it has been since he had received a NASCAR Cup Collection race.
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Might 11, 2025 at Kansas Speedway
To him, the stat merely did not imply that a lot. Certain, there was a championship win in November however the Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 group has been hyper-competitive all season whereas having issues simply work towards them.
So, naturally, when requested if he felt like he was again, Larson gave a predictably blunt reply.
“I imply, again to what,” Larson mentioned with a chuckle. “Again to 2021? Again to 2024? No. We have undoubtedly been constructing to get again to Victory Lane. I do not know that we’re fairly but to the place we are able to go dominate like we’ve got prior to now.
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A day like at present undoubtedly provides you confidence main right into a monitor the place we all know we are able to go dominate. So yeah, no, it is simply been neat to see all of the exhausting work type of repay to a second like this.”
Watch: Larson after breakthrough win: ‘We bought our swagger again’
Larson has been a fixture inside the highest 5 for over a month now and has opened the Chase for the Championship with two mega factors days. He is now second within the standings behind Denny Hamlin.
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So no, eliminating the winless drought wasn’t some huge burden off his figurative again as a result of he wasn’t feeling the strain anyway.
“Each week, I heard you guys inform the brand new quantity,” Larson mentioned. “It did not appear that enormous. So no, I believe simply having belief is what it actually boils right down to. I by no means misplaced belief in our group. Perhaps belief and confidence in myself at occasions, but it surely’s straightforward to look within the mirror and type of doubt your self.
“The folks round me, I by no means doubted.”
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The folks round Larson, mixed with one of the vital prolific race automotive drivers of all time, have produced 27 victories and two championships collectively. Whereas Larson is normally stoic within the face of adversity, it is that group round him that typically must be picked up by management figures like Jeff Gordon.
“I believe, if something, it is in all probability challenged these guys essentially the most,” Gordon mentioned. “We have had loads of conversations this 12 months about perhaps how we have been approaching a number of the races, realizing we’re behind. We had been all the time making an attempt to catch up, get our automobiles higher, working by that with all of our teammates at Chevy, Chevy themselves internally.
“The trouble was being put in, and we simply weren’t seeing the outcomes. Simply type of took a while this season. I really feel prefer it’s been a very lengthy season. During the last 4, 5 months, perhaps two or three months, we have undoubtedly been seeing some issues begin to be put collectively. “
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Watch: Larson not terrified of the wrestle after first win in 51 races
And Gordon additionally praised the management of crew chief Cliff Daniels.
“Whereas he was examined, I assumed he by no means wavered,” Gordon mentioned. “I simply felt like he discovered methods to maintain the group collectively. He is aware of he is asking quite a bit out of his people from making an attempt to make the automobiles go sooner.
“Yeah, he is tenacious and relentless. That is what it takes to win at this stage, and win championships. However that can be exhausting on himself in addition to be exhausting on the folks round him. You bought to maintain these people collectively while you’re asking that a lot out of them. I do not know that anyone does a greater job of that than Cliff.”
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To Larson’s personal level, this is not the group that received 10 occasions in 2021 or six in 2024. Hamlin continues to be the championship favourite even after two hiccups to open The Chase for the Championship.
However that does not imply they’re underdogs.
“I can see how on paper or within the media’s eyes or perhaps even some opponents’ eyes you may doubt us,” Larson mentioned. “I believe that may be cheap. We hadn’t received in 51 races. We had been type of simply mid all through the season, not beginning as excessive as we wish to be within the Chase. I may see that.
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“I do not actually view myself as that. I do not actually really feel like I’ll show them incorrect both. I am simply exhibiting as much as the racetrack to do one of the best job I can. I believe while you give attention to your self, that is when you will discover essentially the most success.”
Learn Additionally:
Kyle Larson wins mad Gateway Cup race after 18 cautions, two crimson flags, and double additional time
Full NASCAR Cup factors standings after 2026 Gateway
Official race outcomes: 2026 NASCAR Cup at Gateway
Hendrick Motorsports particulars ‘The Corey Day Plan’
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