After an oh-so-close fifth in Saturday’s Xfinity race, Kyle Larson refreshes for Sunday night’s Cup race at Darlington. (Photo: Blake Ulino | The Podium Finish)
DARLINGTON, S.C. – Make no mistake that Kyle Larson has his focus on repeating as a NASCAR Cup Series champion.
However, the 30-year-old Elk Grove, California native knows it’s not as easy to tally as it is battling in the elimination format during the postseason.
“I ultimately want to win the championship and I guess with that, you would be the first back-to-back winner since Jimmie Johnson,” Larson said ahead of Sunday night’s Cook Out Southern 500 (6 p.m. ET on USA). “I don’t let that add any more pressure on me.
“I think that also shows just how difficult this playoff format is to when Jimmie was winning. Him and his team were so good that it seemed like they could just stretch out in points to where now you can’t do that and you have to be.. . it’s like three mini race series. You can’t really stretch yourself out from anyone really.”
If Larson wants this year’s Cup, he’ll vie for a much better result at the 1.366-mile Darlington Raceway. While running inside the top five, Larson suffered an engine failure after 112 laps.
Despite the bitter result, Larson likes his chances but clarifies his usual, high line, flying ways around the intermediates.
“We ran at Darlington earlier this year and we blew up, but we had a fast car,” he quipped. “Everybody looks at me as a guy that runs the wall, which in most cases is true. But at Darlington, at least in (turns) three and four, I tend to stay away from it.. slightly. I still run the top, but I give myself some room.
“But, I don’t know, it depends on how you hit the wall I think. You could graze the wall a lot better with the other car I think; but when you hit the wall, the car with the toe links and all are a little flimsy. Honestly, just try and stay out of the wall. That is the best case.”
Last year, Larson did his best to stay out of the wall when he pursued his first win at Darlington in his spirited battle with Denny Hamlin. A last lap, wall riding effort was another oh-so-close, bittersweet runner up at the track “Too Tough to Tame.”
Still, Larson looks forward to the Round of 16 as he’s the defending winner for the Playoff races at Kansas and Bristol.
Larson looks to diamond the corners for Sunday night’s race at Darlington. (Photo: Blake Ulino | The Podium Finish)
“We had a really fast car last time before we had trouble,” he reiterated. “The first round has a lot of really good tracks for us. Darlington (Raceway), Kansas (Speedway) and Bristol (Motor Speedway). Those are honestly three of my best racetracks. I really like that round and hopefully we can do well in it and get some wins and get some bonus points.
“I have always run really well at Darlington, but have not gotten a win there yet. I finished second three times in a row before this year, so would love to be one spot better there and finally get that Darlington win that I have been close to getting.”
Those close calls in 2018, 2019 and 2021 aren’t lost in Larson’s memories. If anything, they fuel him to pursue his first win at Darlington and second overall crown jewel race triumph in his Cup career.
“That one is the next one on my list that I haven’t won,” he said. “I really want to win and have been close so many times. I have been third at least once, second a couple of times. I’ve had the dominant car in that race a couple of times.
“I remember we had a great shot to win one year and (Brad) Keselowski beat me off pit road by like two inches and that was it.. that was the race. Lost control of the restart and lost the race. I know our car should be fast there this weekend and hopefully we can just put it all together and get that win we have been fighting for.”
Larson showcased some pace with the seventh fastest qualifying effort, lining up alongside Bubba Wallace in row four.
Of course, a strong, consistent pace in a run exceeding five laps matter over a one lap effort. Such a caveat was checked off by Larson and his No. 5 team during Saturday afternoon’s practice session with the fifth fastest time in a 10 lap run.
Although Larson will be the chaser instead of the leader with this year’s Playoffs, he believes in himself and his crew after last year’s intense but championship rewarding efforts.
“I feel confident and I’m confident that we can go out there and win another championship,” Larson stated. “We have a championship team and we proved that last year. So, I don’t see why we couldn’t if we execute right and don’t have any DNFs or things like that.”
