After finishing 20th at the Daytona 500, Kyle Larson’s 2025 Cup Series didn’t get off to a good start. Larson is a skilled NASCAR driver, but he hasn’t been able to figure out the Daytona International Speedway code. He has only finished in the top 10 once in the last five years at the Daytona 500 and is 0 for 22 on that track. This past weekend, Larson made amends by placing third in the Ambetter Health 400. At Atlanta Motor Speedway, only Carson Hocevar and Christopher Bell finished ahead of him. This week, Larson talked candidly about his difficulties with superspeedways on the “Stacking Pennies” podcast. Larson says he has to be lucky in his next superspeedway races. But it’s not quite that easy. He obviously has to put himself in the right positions.
“It’s challenging. It seems as though you are beginning to understand it, and then it shifts. Even though we haven’t had many strong finishes, I’m optimistic when we visit a superspeedway, like the [Daytona] 500. Normally, we’re up against the mix, but Daytona Larson stated, via On3, “I was just upset afterward because every move I made—which wasn’t many moves—was incorrect. Back then, I was getting stuck in traffic. Simply riding in the middle and asking yourself, “Okay, when am I going to wreck?” Then you see men like William [Byron], who is standing next to me, consistently miss the wreck by this much. Why am I never able to align myself in the correct lane? However, there are additional factors involved than love, for sure.
“It’s simple to claim that speedway racing is purely a matter of luck, but the same guys consistently win. The Penske guys are always honest. William is forward all the time. You’re always upfront, [Corey LaJoie]. [Stenhouse Jr.] Ricky is always upfront. I’m not sure how to accomplish it; I haven’t completely thought it out, but you folks have an idea. However, Atlanta is very different. I simply like that one.” For his trip to Talladega Superspeedway, Larson has a few months to get ready. But will he make the correct changes? Time will tell. The EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix will mark the Cup Series’ return on Sunday.
