Kyle Larson’s pursuit of a second NASCAR Cup Series championship took a devastating blow in the playoff opener at Atlanta Motor Speedway, as a massive wreck at the end of Stage 1 ruined his chances of advancing comfortably through the Round of 16. The Hendrick Motorsports driver, who entered the race with the most playoff points of anyone on the grid, found himself crashing out early, igniting concerns for his playoff future.
The incident occurred as Larson’s No. 5 Chevy suddenly snapped coming into the corner, slamming into the wall with such force that his car burst into flames. It’s believed that a right rear tire failure or another mechanical issue triggered the crash. As Larson’s car skidded across the track, it also collected Stewart-Haas Racing’s Chase Briscoe, another playoff contender.
Both Larson and Briscoe were forced to retire from the race, marking a disastrous start to the playoffs for both drivers. Larson, who had been sitting comfortably atop the playoff standings thanks to his accumulated points, now finds himself just 12 points above the cut-off line at P10, with two wildcard races left in the Round of 16. His once-formidable advantage has evaporated, and without a victory in the next two races, Larson could face the nightmare scenario of an early playoff exit.
Briscoe’s situation is even more dire. After barely securing his playoff spot with a win at the regular-season finale in Bristol, the Stewart-Haas Racing driver now finds himself 21 points below the cut-off line. With his playoff hopes hanging by a thread, Briscoe is facing a near must-win situation in the coming races if he hopes to advance to the next round.
Following the race, Larson expressed relief that the car’s safety measures, including the roll cage, kept him unharmed in the violent crash. However, like many, he remained uncertain about what exactly caused the sudden failure that led to his collision with the wall.
The wreck puts Larson in a precarious position as he heads into the remaining two races of the round—Watkins Glen and Bristol. While Larson is still mathematically in the fight, he’ll need to deliver top-tier performances and avoid further misfortune if he hopes to recover from this early setback. Tire management and strategic driving will be crucial, as both upcoming tracks are known for their demands on tire wear. Without a win, Larson’s playoff chances could rapidly slip away.
