Boldly claiming a comeback at the most crucial moment, former NASCAR Cup champion Kyle Larson is showing signs of returning to his peak performance just when it matters most. The start of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season had fans buzzing with excitement as Larson seemed poised to challenge for an astounding 10 victories. Through the first 12 races, he had already secured three wins and finished in the top five five more times — a feat that mirrored his outstanding 2021 debut season with Hendrick Motorsports, when he also reached double-digit wins.
But here's where it gets controversial: everything changed after Larson bravely tackled the grueling Memorial Day Weekend "Double," which involves competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. This extraordinary challenge appeared to take a toll. Following that weekend, Larson's performance dipped sharply, including a disheartening 37th place at Charlotte Motor Speedway and a string of five finishes outside the top 30 since his last victory at Kansas Speedway in May. This slump was unusual and far below the standards expected from the No. 5 team, sparking questions about the physical and mental strain drivers endure under such intense schedules.
Meanwhile, other drivers are making headlines with their own playoff pursuits—Joey Logano pushes through a season that hasn’t gone his way, determined to break a perplexing 11-year streak without a championship, while Denny Hamlin continues his quest for a title despite facing multiple on-track incidents, including a nail-biting last-lap drama at the Charlotte Roval. In this competitive environment, Larson is quietly reasserting himself as a top championship contender, even though he no longer holds the points lead as the playoffs approach the Round of 8 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Larson’s resurgence is unfolding just in time. Early in the playoffs, he wasn’t flawless—his best result in the Round of 16 was 12th place at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway. Still, his accumulation of playoff points throughout the season gave him a comfortable cushion to advance. Larson’s recent performances have been impressive: two top-seven finishes at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Kansas, followed by an intense showdown at the Charlotte Roval where he finished second. His battle with race winner Shane van Gisbergen, leading 27 laps and trading the lead for much of the event, showed that Larson’s speed and consistency remain formidable.
His versatility shines, too—his strong finishes across three very different types of tracks highlight why he shares the season lead with Christopher Bell in top-10 finishes, both boasting 19 this year. This speaks to Larson's adaptability and skill, key traits for any champion.
But this is the part most people miss: before that Charlotte runner-up finish, Larson struggled mightily on road and street circuits, with results that ranged from 32nd at Circuit of the Americas to a shocking 39th at Watkins Glen International. His average finish on those layouts was actually worse than Cody Ware's, the full-time driver currently at the bottom of the standings. This glaring contrast in form exposes how tough specialized courses can be, even for elite drivers like Larson.
Heading into the Las Vegas race, Larson looks revitalized as he prepares to tackle one of his strongest venues. Over 18 starts here, he has earned three wins, eight top-five finishes, and 13 top-10 finishes, including two wins in his last four races at the iconic "Sin City" track. This record suggests he could be the first to secure a Championship 4 spot early, avoiding the wild unpredictability of races at Talladega Superspeedway or the dramatic eliminations at Martinsville Speedway.
In a playoff battle this tight—where just eight points separate the highest-ranked driver from the cutoff line and Larson clings to a slim four-point edge—every point counts more than ever before. Given his strength on this track and the momentum he's building, Larson is well-positioned to convert his recent consistency into a victory on Sunday, potentially paving the way to claim his second NASCAR Cup Series title.
But here's a question worth exploring: is Larson’s slump after the Memorial Day Double a sign of the immense pressure and physical demands drivers face in today's congested schedules? Or is his recent surge proof that experience and resilience will always prevail? What do you think—can Larson maintain this comeback, or will the playoff intensity reveal cracks? Share your thoughts and disagreements below; this season’s story is far from settled.
