Kyle Larson feels optimistic about his chances at Circuit of the America’s revised National Course layout. (Photo: John Arndt | The Podium Finish)
DEL VALLE, Texas — Heading into Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas, Kyle Larson is coming off his best finish in a drafting-style race with a third place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Unlike past races, Larson charged his way toward the front, captured his first stage victory of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season and scored the most points [44] and confidence that carried over to the revised, 2.3-mile, 17-turn National Course layout at COTA.
Before practice and qualifying on Saturday afternoon, Larson reflected on his Atlanta performance, maintaining how he and his team focus on fully executing each weekend.
“I wouldn’t say Daytona and like the lack of a good run affected anything,” Larson said. “You always try to do a good job every week. But we went to Atlanta and had a had a good car. And I think our handling was, although not perfect, still better than a lot of people.
“We could be aggressive and [I] felt like we made a good call on lanes and stuff. They got in. So, it worked out. At the end, it was fun to be a part of the mix there. Looking back, [I] could have made a couple different moves and maybe had a better result.”
Larson’s podium finish at Atlanta helped his cause in the standings, jumping from 24th to sixth, 26 points away from points leader Ryan Blaney. More importantly, the month of March offers tracks that suit Larson’s driving style, even the road course situated outside of Austin.
Similar to preparing for the Charlotte ROVAL’s revised layout with Turns 6 and 7, Larson worked on reference points to familiarize himself with the somewhat sharp left hander that sends drivers toward the tail end of COTA’s backstretch.
“I have spent some time in the simulator this week on the new layout and we’ll see how that translates to real life,” he said in a team press release. “I think it should be better for overall entertainment. The fans are going to see us come around maybe 30 more times or whatever that number is, so it will definitely be better for them in that aspect.”
Kyle Larson posted the fastest 10 consecutive lap average in Saturday’s second practice session for the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. (Photo: John Arndt | The Podium Finish)
After the preliminaries with Larson consistently posting top 10 times in his practice sessions and qualifying seventh, it will not just be the fans who are elated with the shorter COTA. Interestingly, Larson feels the new version of the National Course suits his approach with a familiar stock car theme prevalent at Sonoma or the Charlotte ROVAL.
“I’m excited about it. I think it’s better for the fans. Less corners, they get to see us more often… I think less corners probably benefits me,” he shared. “I feel like the road courses we go to, the more corners, the further off I am. So, I’m optimistic that it’ll be a good weekend, not only for the fans, but also, us in the 5 team.”
While Larson has not finished inside the top 10 at COTA since the inaugural race in 2021, he showcased some patented, strong, long run speed in Saturday’s second practice session. Based on Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series race won by Connor Zilisch, having pace in the final stage may be the difference between winning or walking home without the trophy.
The path toward the front of the field in Sunday’s 95-lap race will not be easy for Larson with the likes of Tyler Reddick, Chase Elliott and Shane van Gisbergen starting ahead. Then again, the 2021 Cup Series champion loves a good challenge as he demonstrated with his victories last year at Sonoma and the Charlotte ROVAL.
Kyle Larson hopes to score his seventh career road course win in the NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday afternoon at Circuit of the Americas. (Photo: John Arndt | The Podium Finish)
While Larson and his peers are the stock car equivalent to quarterback in the gridiron, the Elk Grove, California, native is not the kind to impart the excitable verbal vibes of a Tom Brady in a Week 3 game.
Instead, Larson, like Terry Labonte, another championship-winning driver for the No. 5 car, prefers doing his talking with his on-track racing efforts while crew chief Cliff Daniels boosts the morale of the troops.
“I’m not that type of person,” Larson revealed. “I’m not a great public speaker or a great motivator, but so Cliff is definitely that guy. He’s like the head coach, but I guess in a way, I’m kind of the quarterback, but I’m not the type that feels like I need to cheer people up or motivate them.
“I think we’re all pretty well oiled and know what our jobs are. And if we have a hiccup, we know to just stay focused and we can overcome it. So, I think we just with that trust, I think is why you don’t really hear a whole lot of motivating for me.”
