Kyle Larson focuses on winning his first race of 2026 with Sunday’s DuraMax Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas (COTA). (Photo: Rusty Jones | Nigel Kinrade Photography)
DEL VALLE, Texas — Kyle Larson approaches Sunday’s DuraMax Texas Grand Prix Powered by RelaDyne aiming to secure his first NASCAR Cup Series victory of the 2026 season. After posting the fourth-fastest time in Saturday’s practice session at Circuit of the Americas and qualifying 15th, Larson is ready to translate early-season speed into a winning performance.
“The new body has been really good to this point. I think the differences that all of us have felt have been better and more comfortable. So yeah, that’s been very pleasing for the drafting style tracks that we’ve been on,” Larson explained.
He added that while drafting tracks have shown improvement, road courses and intermediate tracks remain a curiosity.
“Still curious to see how it may feel any different, better or worse for the road courses or the intermediate style tracks, but I think everything we’ve felt off Daytona, Atlanta (EchoPark Speedway), it’ll only be better,” Larson said. “So yeah, excited about the next few weeks and just learning more.”
The new Chevy body, particularly with a more rounded nose and refined hood scoop, introduced this season has reshaped the driving experience across track types. Larson’s team has adapted quickly, demonstrating speed and consistency even in early-season events.
With finishes not yet reflecting that pace, Larson has remained composed through early setbacks. He finished 16th in the 68th DAYTONA 500 and was involved in a wreck last Sunday at Atlanta while contending for the Stage 2 win.
“We’re definitely fast. It’s so hard to get a read on your season after two speedway races, but I feel like in Next Gen racing, the years aren’t too different from each other. As far as speed goes, there’s small improvements, but it’s more execution-based these days,” Larson noted.
Reflecting on his Atlanta miscue, he continued, “I felt like we had a great race going in Atlanta. I made a massive error there and didn’t get the finish we were capable of. Daytona, we had a great race going and lost just a small amount of track position. Then a wreck happened off the front of the field and we got wrapped up in it.”
Despite early-season mishaps, the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet ZL1 has consistently demonstrated front-running speed. Analysts expect Larson to leverage that performance at COTA, a track known for technical corners and elevation changes.
“So yeah, it hasn’t started exactly how we wanted to, but I feel like our team is performing as well as we always do, if not better, and just kind of got to get into the season. It’s still early,” Larson added, showing optimism for the weeks ahead.
Preparation for road courses like COTA relies heavily on simulation and historical data. Larson describes how his team, with crew chief Cliff Daniels atop the pit box, integrates past input with live feedback to refine car setups.
Kyle Larson trusts crew chief Cliff Daniels and his No. 5 team to prepare the best setup for his weekend warrior ride. (Photo: Danny Hansen | Nigel Kinrade Photography)
“I don’t know. I couldn’t really answer that for you because I don’t know much. I don’t know anything about what goes into the setups, but I would assume these days it’s a lot of simulation and past data.
“Once you get to the track, it’s real-life feedback mixed into more data, and then you try to make an educated assumption and adjustment and go from there. But yeah, you’d have to ask Cliff. I’m not sure,” he explained.
While Larson is not heavily involved in technical setup discussions, his past feedback informs baseline adjustments.
“If we were going to a new track. No. But I think they take all of your past comments and feedback and probably bring that into account for setup changes and developments. But yeah, I don’t go sit in a room with them and say, ‘We’re prepping for COTA, this is the setup we have.’ I’m not knowledgeable enough to help on that side of things,” Larson said.
This approach allows the No. 5 team to maintain continuity while adapting to new racing environments. Larson’s experience and clear communication remain key in optimizing car performance.
March brings a packed schedule, with Larson moving from COTA to Phoenix and Las Vegas. These tracks provide an opportunity to showcase the speed of the new car and refine performance.
“Just excited. I think it’s been a fun start to the year. Once you get through Daytona and Atlanta it’s like you get to some more conventional racetracks where it can really showcase the speed of your team or in your car.
“Excited to get on a road course this weekend and do something a little different than normal and then get to tracks like Phoenix and Vegas where we’re comfortable at and then can see what this new car is like,” he said.
Larson’s mindset reflects an old-school NASCAR mentality: early-season races are about preparation, while the “real” test comes at conventional circuits where speed and execution define outcomes.
Long-term stability with Hendrick Motorsports adds confidence. Larson recently extended his contract through 2031 alongside Daniels.
“For me, I don’t really think about it as any more stable than I felt before. My deals were already pretty long-term. We were always performing well, so I haven’t ever felt like my job is in jeopardy if I don’t do this or that. I’ve always felt welcomed here. We’ve had a lot of success. For me, the long-term thing is just a number. Hopefully it’ll go even further than 2031,” Larson explained.
“I’m happy to just get re-signed and be here and be with Cliff. That’s the most important piece, also knowing that HendrickCars.com is going to be the primary sponsor throughout. It’s nice to get it done and then get excited to go racing,” he added.
This relationship ensures consistency in communication, pit strategy, and vehicle feedback—a critical advantage over competitors navigating shorter-term arrangements.
Handling distractions is another component of Larson’s approach. He manages outside noise, including social media, to maintain focus and clarity.
Kyle Larson hopes to be in the mix in Sunday’s DuraMax Texas Grand Prix at COTA despite starting 15th. (Photo: Danny Hansen | Nigel Kinrade Photography)
“The season’s definitely ebb and flow and you’ll have good moments and bad moments. It’s easy to listen to the outside noise. It’s much nicer when you hear good things about you, and it doesn’t feel as nice when distractions of negative noise come in.
“For me, I usually delete Twitter (X), and that helps me stay away from both good and bad of social media. Then you just stay committed to your process and trust your team. That’s the most important stuff,” Larson said.
Larson’s disciplined focus on process over perception allows him to rebound from early adversity and maintain competitive speed.
COTA presents unique challenges: technical corners, elevation changes, and heavy braking zones test both driver skill and team strategy. Starting 15th, Larson must navigate traffic efficiently and rely on precise pit work to advance.
Kyle Larson looks to apply lessons learned from last year’s DuraMax Texas Grand Prix at the shorter but still challenging COTA. (Photo: Matthew T. Thacker | Nigel Kinrade Photography)
“Excited about the next few weeks and just learning more,” he said.
Practice speed suggests Larson can make aggressive moves early, but consistent execution and smart strategy will be necessary to capitalize on opportunities.
With HendrickCars.com as primary sponsor and a seasoned crew supporting him, Larson has the foundation to turn his COTA performance into a victory.
“The beginning of the season, it starts, but it doesn’t really start for a few weeks. Just excited to get to racing and battling,” Larson said.
As Sunday approaches, fans and analysts will watch Larson closely. His preparation, skill, and team cohesion could make the difference in capturing his first win of a season that has shown promise but demanded resilience.
Editor’s Notes
We have more from Kyle Larson beyond his outlook with Sunday’s race at COTA. Coming this week, a three-part miniseries in article and video format chronicling the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship in the words and perspectives of Larson, crew chief Cliff Daniels and interior mechanic/tire specialist Cesar Villanueva, exclusively on The Podium Finish+ or TPF+!
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