Few will look back fondly on the recent Daytona 500, a race that saw a record number of crashes since 2019 with 35 cars wrecked. Among the disgruntled was Kyle Larson, whose average finish at the Daytona International Speedway is a dismal 21.9. Larson has had a winless run in 48 starts across all drafting tracks, and the recent Daytona disappointment only amplified his frustrations.
However, Larson’s fortunes took a turn for the better in Atlanta. Known for his struggles on superspeedways, the Hendrick Motorsports driver has only managed two top-five finishes in these tracks, both in Talladega. In a twist of fate, Larson turned his narrative around at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, a track that combines the characteristics of a superspeedway and an intermediate track.
In Atlanta, Larson showcased his driving prowess, securing his first stage victory on a superspeedway when he won Stage 2. He also led the race for 12 laps, a stark contrast to his history of five DNFs in the previous six Atlanta drafting races. His performance not only demonstrated the versatility of his No. 5 Chevrolet but also provided him with a sense of joy and relief, as he revealed on the ‘Stacking Pennies’ podcast.
Yet, Larson’s distaste for Daytona is far from forgotten. He recalls his 2013 Xfinity debut at the track, where he crashed into the fence and wrecked his car. His performance in the 2025 Daytona outing only added salt to the wound, as he struggled with drafting techniques and lost his chance to win due to a last-lap caution and Carson Hocevar’s antics.
Despite his aversion towards Daytona, Larson has shown enthusiasm towards the reconfigured Atlanta Motor Speedway, a mile-and-a-half superspeedway-style track. He admits that he would prefer the old Atlanta, but the recent race has stirred his excitement. He also wishes Daytona and Talladega would take a leaf out of Atlanta’s book, as he believes it would make the races more enjoyable for both drivers and fans.
Behind Larson’s recent superspeedway success is Hendrick Motorsports veteran and four-time Cup Series champion, Jeff Gordon. Gordon, who has three Daytona 500 victories under his belt, has been a source of inspiration and encouragement for Larson, especially after the latter’s disappointing performance at Daytona. Gordon’s advice to Larson was simple: “Just be Kyle Larson.”
This guidance seems to have paid off, as Larson achieved his best superspeedway result in Atlanta. Now, all eyes are on Larson as he continues his journey on drafting tracks, and whether he can replicate his Atlanta success at Talladega, remains to be seen.
