Not since the legendary Rusty Wallace has there been a more talented NASCAR Cup Series driver who couldn’t win at a superspeedway than Kyle Larson.
Just how bad is Larson’s record at Talladega and Daytona, the only two true superspeedways on the Cup Series tour? (Atlanta races like a superspeedway but is significantly shorter in length.)
Well, he’s a combined 0-for-44 at the two fabled venues.
The news isn’t all bad for Larson, however, entering Sunday’s Cup Series playoff race at Talladega.
Why? It’s because in recent times, Larson has enjoyed a notable uptick in his results at the two ultra-fast, high-banked tracks built by the late NASCAR founder William H.G. “Big Bill” France.
What’s Been The Key To Kyle Larson’s Superspeedway Revival?
Prior to the fall of 2024, Kyle Larson had posted only one top-five finish in 19 Cup Series starts at Talladega. Since then, the Hendrick Motorsports driver has recorded two top-fives (including a second-place finish) in as many starts at the 2.66-mile Alabama facility.
Similarly, in August at Daytona, Larson matched his career-best finish at the 2.5-mile trioval by finishing sixth. Previously, the 2021 Cup Series champ had finished better than 10th just three times in 22 outings at track dubbed The World Center of Racing.
So, what’s with the improved outcomes at NASCAR’s two original superspeedways?
“I’ve finally gotten lucky,” Larson said with a laugh on Saturday at Talladega, host of Race No. 2 in the three-race Round of 8. “I don’t know. I mean, honestly, that’s me being a little funny, but our average running position probably during the race is no different, I would assume.
“We’re just not getting caught up in the crashes at the end of them, for whatever reason. So, I hope that’s the case again tomorrow.”
In Larson’s opinion, his results at Talladega and Daytona prior to recent times weren’t truly indicative of his performance at these places.
“In the past, it’s easy look on paper and be like, ‘Kyle Larson is the worst ever on superspeedways,’” Larson said. “But if you really watch the race, we’ve been a top contender — in the Next Gen era, especially. So, yeah, hopefully, we can just stay lucky.”
Kyle Larson Is No Longer OK With Not Having A Superspeedway Win
Arguably the NASCAR Cup Series’ purest driving talent, Kyle Larson has been no stranger to success over the last dozen years — especially since joining perennial powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports in 2021.
But through all the good times, which include 32 Cup wins and a championship, Larson has continually come up empty at Daytona and Talladega.
Will Sunday be his big breakthrough? A win at Talladega would mean a lot to the driver of the No. 5 Chevy. Even more than it would have meant just a few years ago.
“For a long time, like at least early to the mid-portions my career, I always had a thought in my head, like, ‘Anybody can win on a superspeedway. So, it’s not going to feel that special when I finally do win,’” Larson said. “But now, since it’s gone so long, and I haven’t even had many top-10s or top-fives, if I ever do win, I don’t know what the feeling’s going to be like.
“But I would assume that it’s going to feel really big.”
Given his dearth of superspeedway wins, Larson doesn’t even care that much about when or at which of the superspeedways he grabs his first trophy.
“I will take it anywhere,” he said on Saturday at Talladega, where he’ll start 19th in Sunday’s race. “I would take it here. I’ll take it at the Daytona 500 or Atlanta.
“Like, I don’t even care at this point. I just would love to get a win.”
