Kyle Larson hopes to score a second Sonoma victory. (Photo: Cornnell Chu | The Podium Finish)
SONOMA, Calif. – Kyle Larson looks forward to a homecoming stop at Sonoma Raceway especially since joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2021.
While Larson tallied five consecutive pole positions at the famed road course, including three-in-a-row when he drove for Chip Ganassi Racing, he likes his chances even more with the No. 5 Valvoline Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
“I’ve always qualified well at road courses. COTA (Circuit of The Americas) is probably the only one that I don’t really qualify that good at, for whatever reason,” Larson said. “But I don’t know.. I’ve always qualified well. And when I was at Chip Ganassi Racing, I didn’t race good at all, especially here (at Sonoma Raceway). We would qualify on the pole and then run like 20th in the race. At Watkins Glen (International), I would qualify good and we could race better there.
“But since I got to Hendrick Motorsports, I still qualify well and our race car is good. I’m not sure where I’ve developed. I think our race cars are just really good and can kind of handle me being crazy, abusing my tires and stuff. I don’t know.. I look forward to road courses just because it’s different, it’s fun and it’s something I feel like I’m good at.”
On Saturday, Larson led the way in the practice session before qualifying in a somewhat boggling 16th position, snapping his pole position streak. Still, after a competitive but bitter third place result in the DoorDash 250 on Saturday afternoon, it is safe to say that the Elk Grove, California native is fired up and wants to redeem himself after his unforced error in Turn 11.
Although Sonoma may be situated in the scenic wine section of Northern California, it is home to a 1.99 Club Circuit, 12-turn road course that offers plentiful passing action, at least in Larson’s perspective.
Larson sees more options for his No. 5 team to attack for a win at Sonoma. (Photo: Cornnell Chu | The Podium Finish)
“Sure.. I mean I think there’s a little bit of that, yeah. I mean there’s no 90 degree corner directly after restarts, so yeah I think this is more of a true road course race than the newer ones on our schedule,” he said. “But I think everybody looks forward to Sonoma because of the area, the region that we’re in and the stuff to do outside of the race track, as well.
“But then yeah, the the race track is flowy. It’s got pace fall-off, which is a lot of what we like as drivers. Yeah, it’s just a good track.”
Naturally, Larson has showcased his strength at this NASCAR staple road course particularly in 2021, the series’ return to the FIA Grade 2 road course since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Winning in front of family and friends, it was a special moment for the versatile driver.
Now, the race is even more in the hands of the crew chiefs with the stage break cautions eliminated at road courses. Certainly, Larson will heed to the words and strategies running in Cliff Daniels’ mind throughout the 110 lap race.
“I just go until they say to come in,” he said. “But I think, yes – it makes it simpler. It makes qualifying even more important I think because hopefully you qualify well and the race could potentially run out.. I know that won’t happen, but yeah you just have a better shot of staying towards the front.
“Rather than with the stage breaks before – if you stay out, then you’re restarting like 20-something and it’s just hard and you’re in the hornet’s nest. So it should be a little bit more straight forward, hopefully. But depending on when cautions fall, it can still get kind of mixed up.”
Last year, Larson’s bid to win a second Sonoma race were dashed by playing catchup after staying out to win Stage 1 along with a rare pit stop error when his team failed to tighten the right front tire. Falling toward the back of the field, Larson could only muster a 15th place result.
Of course, the importance of track position holds even more so with timing pit stops carefully and methodically without getting trapped on the track if a caution comes out. If Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series race was any indication, building a big lead, should Larson work his way from 16th, may pay dividends in the late moments of the race.
After finishing 15th last year, Larson wants to charge his way to the front for second Sonoma win. (Photo: Cornnell Chu | The Podium Finish)
With this in mind, along with solid, clean pit stops and mistake free entries and exits on pit road, Larson knows his No. 5 team will rely on him to pursue their third points paying win of the 2023 season and fifth overall road course win.
“Honestly, I feel like maybe there’s a little more passing zones here than some others,” Larson said. “Like Watkins Glen (International), kind of turn one, maybe.. the bus stop is really tough to pass in Turn 2. That’s it, really. Turn 1 is really the only good passing zone. Where here, you kind of have a little bit in Turn 4. Turn 7 is obviously really good. Turn 11 is obviously really good.
“Restarts and stuff, you can make some moves. Off of Turns 8 to 9.. and off of (Turn) 2 to three. So I feel like there’s more passing zones here if your car is good. But hell, ovals are tough to pass on, too. It’s just racing.”
