Kyle Larson focuses on capturing his fourth win of 2025 and fourth overall win at Kansas Speedway in Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Kyle Larson rolls off from the third starting spot in Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway determined to collect his fourth NASCAR Cup Series victory of the 2025 season. His bid to reclaim his early-season form comes at a track where he has been historically dominant, particularly in the Next Gen era.
Saturday’s practice revealed the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet may be more dialed in for long runs than for single-lap bursts. Larson posted the 12th-fastest lap in the opening round of practice but surged to third-quickest on a 10-lap consecutive-average chart, signaling a car with staying power for green-flag runs.
For the 33-year-old Elk Grove, California, native, Kansas Speedway has been one of the most consistent venues on the schedule. He boasts three wins at the 1.5-mile track, including the 2021 Hollywood Casino 400 title and back-to-back AdventHealth 400 triumphs in 2024 and 2025. His May victory this season was commanding, featuring 221 laps led out of 267 as he fended off Christopher Bell to seal the win.
Larson’s comfort on high-speed intermediate tracks is no secret to his competitors. The worn Kansas surface allows drivers to search for grip, which plays to his strengths in throttle control and tire management. Both attributes were on display in that dominant May performance and remain vital to his chances of repeating in the postseason return.
Momentum entering the Round of 12 has been mixed. After a seventh-place run at New Hampshire’s Mobil 1 301, Larson reflected on the day as a solid but not spectacular effort and one that his team can build on.
“I thought it was a good day for the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet team. At times, I thought we were the third or fourth-best car, and then just on cycled tires and right-sides, I just wasn’t as good on those runs. We’ll just look at that and see what we can learn from it. But all-in-all, it was a great day. It was a great points day with getting points in both stages. We want more, but it was a pretty solid day and start to the Round of 12,” Larson said.
Those stage points matter. While wins guarantee advancement, consistency through top-10s and stage bonuses keeps a driver in range when misfortune strikes. The Californian’s knack for leading laps and scoring stage points has often been the buffer that sustains his playoff hopes.
Kansas has been a linchpin for Larson’s playoff resume. Since the track adopted the current 400-mile format, he has averaged a finish well inside the top 10 and rarely lacked speed. Tire wear and progressive banking usually favor his aggressive yet precise driving style.
Still, the first round of this year’s postseason brought challenges. Larson acknowledged that the results fell short of Hendrick Motorsports’ expectations.
Kyle Larson excels at Kansas Speedway, adapting to different lines and maintaining pace as he hopes to demonstrate in Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)
“Yeah, I mean, you can’t really hide from it. It’s probably been our weakest playoffs of my career, at least at Hendrick Motorsports. You know, going through the first round with zero top-10s was not something that we expected. But we still gained good points throughout the first two races of that round, which was good. We just didn’t get the race finishes that we had in the past. But then we had a good New Hampshire, where I know that track hasn’t been in the playoffs for a little while, but we ran better there than we have in the past,” Larson said.
“So, yeah, I don’t know. We still have a lot of racing left to get back to what we’ve been. And like I said, I feel like we are getting better and better each week. Although it may be little improvements, it’s still stacking, and hopefully it kind of peaks at the right time.”
Such candid assessments reflect Larson’s awareness that incremental gains can turn into decisive improvements when the championship is on the line. His team’s ability to adapt to changing track conditions and pit strategy nuances has historically paid dividends at intermediate ovals.
Kansas has long rewarded drivers who master tire conservation, especially through the final 40 laps of a run. Larson’s ability to maintain lap-time fall-off has often separated him from the field, particularly as the groove migrates toward the wall late in a race.
Beyond track familiarity, pit execution will be crucial. The No. 5 crew has shown flashes of excellence this season, but even minor missteps on pit road can derail a top-three starting spot. With stage points at stake and green-flag cycles likely, a clean day on pit lane is essential to capitalize on speed.
Weather could also influence Sunday’s event. Cooler temperatures tend to increase grip but can tighten the car’s balance, which would shift the handling window Larson praised earlier in the season. Adjustments during the first two stages will be critical to ensure the car remains free enough on corner entry without compromising drive off the exit.
Larson’s remarks about Kansas’s unique racing lines further underscore why the venue plays to his style.
Kyle Larson dominated in the NASCAR Cup Series’ most recent visit to Kansas Speedway, something he hopes to replicate in Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)
“Kansas is probably statistically one of our strongest tracks as a team. We got a win there earlier this year, which is great, so we have a great setup for those mile-and-a-half tracks. It’s a great track, it wears the tires out, so I feel like you really have to manage your tires. For the most part, everyone runs the top, but I feel like at the end of the run you can kind of move around and find some grip. It’s probably our best track for Next Gen racing because of the options, we all really enjoy going to Kansas,” he said.
That versatility in lane choice rewards creativity on restarts and in traffic. Larson’s willingness to run the wall while others prefer the middle lane often allows him to sustain momentum on longer runs, a hallmark of his Kansas victories.
Earlier this season, his intermediate-track program looked formidable, with wins not just at Kansas but also strong top-five showings at similar venues. However, some mid-summer inconsistency at other mile-and-a-half tracks exposed that the package is not bulletproof. Sunday will reveal whether the No. 5 team has rediscovered the balance that made it dominant in the spring.
In terms of season-long numbers, Larson’s three wins have been complemented by multiple stage victories and an impressive laps-led tally that keeps him among the statistical leaders in the Cup Series. His average finish remains inside the top 15, a testament to resilience despite a few mechanical setbacks and tough breaks in traffic-heavy races.
Crew chief Cliff Daniels has guided the team through past playoff adversity, often calling bold pit strategy that maximizes track position. Expect him to keep an eye on tire wear trends to dictate whether two-tire calls or short-pitting could create opportunities to leapfrog rivals in stage finales.
Kyle Larson and crew chief Cliff Daniels are a formidable combination when they find their groove as they hope in Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway. (Photo: Wayne Riegle | The Podium Finish)
Starting on the inside of row two should give Larson cleaner air early, minimizing the turbulence that often plagues cars deeper in the field. If his car maintains the pace demonstrated in the 10-lap averages, he can challenge for the lead without abusing his tires in the opening stage.
Sunday’s 267-lap event is scheduled to begin under sunny skies, adding another variable in track temperature shifts between the green flag and the checkered. Each stage break will offer the No. 5 crew a chance to fine-tune wedge and air-pressure adjustments as rubber builds up in the racing groove.
Larson’s bid for a fourth win of 2025 also carries championship implications. A victory at Kansas would automatically propel him into the Round of 8, removing pressure heading into the unpredictable short-track battles that follow. With a playoff berth in jeopardy for some rivals, Larson’s task is to avoid chaos and capitalize on a historically favorable venue.
Race fans have come to expect fireworks whenever Larson tackles high-speed intermediates, especially at Kansas where his skill at running the high line often sets the tone for dramatic finishes. If the balance remains steady and pit execution stays sharp, the No. 5 Chevrolet is poised to be a frontrunner once more.
Larson’s past triumphs at this track serve as both confidence and benchmark. He has proven that when Kansas aligns with his driving rhythm, few can match his pace over a full fuel run. Sunday will reveal whether that formula remains intact under playoff pressure.
As the green flag nears, anticipation builds for another showcase of speed, strategy and tire management from one of the sport’s top contenders. Larson’s blend of experience, Kansas prowess and third-place starting position gives him a strong platform to chase yet another Hollywood Casino 400 trophy.
