Kyle Larson’s Secret to NASCAR Dominance: He Spilled the Beans to Dale Earnhardt Jr.!
Kyle Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, recently revealed his key to success in a revealing interview on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s popular podcast, “Dale Jr. Download.” What’s the secret sauce that gives Larson an edge against the competition? Read on to find out!
Larson’s NASCAR Journey: From Xfinity to Cup Series Champion
Larson’s journey in stock car racing began in 2013 with the Xfinity Series, driving for Turner Scott Motorsports. His talent quickly shone through, leading to a debut in the NASCAR Cup Series with Phoenix Racing in the same year. In 2014, he secured a full-time ride in the Cup Series with Chip Ganassi Racing, where he remained until 2020. A pivotal move in 2021 saw him join Hendrick Motorsports, solidifying his status as a top contender.
The Secret is Out: How Larson Stays Competitive
During the “Dale Jr. Download” podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. directly asked Larson about his strategy for maintaining a competitive edge. Larson divulged his technique, focusing on mastering corner entry:
“You can commit on entry; being next to the wall with speed is important. A lot of people, I feel like, try to enter too fast, so they carry that speed a bit too far, and that’s when they either hit the wall or have to stop too late around the corner… I just have a good rhythm and cadence when entering against the wall with the right amount of speed, where I don’t have to decelerate too much. I’m decelerating in a smooth way and reaching my minimum corner speed earlier than most; you have to drive into the corner a long way,” Larson explained.
In essence, Larson emphasizes a smooth, controlled entry into the corners, maintaining speed without overdoing it. This allows him to carry momentum and achieve optimal corner speed earlier than his rivals.
Homestead-Miami Win: Proof of the Pudding
Larson’s secret trick was recently on full display at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where he secured his first win of the 2025 season. Starting from P14, Larson showcased his impressive driving skills, battling through the field to win the Straight Talk Wireless 400.
“One of the Coolest Wins”: Larson Reflects on Homestead Victory
Following his victory in the 267-lap race, Larson described the win as “one of the coolest” in his Cup Series career. This win held special significance, considering his past experiences at the track.
“Proud of myself, proud of the team. Just a lot of gritty hard work there today between damage on pit road… qualifying bad, bad restarts, all that stuff… Super pumped. One of the coolest wins I think in my Cup career just because of all the heartbreak I’ve had here. The heartbreak yesterday. To just keep my head down and keep digging feels really good,” Larson stated.
Larson’s 2025 Season So Far: A Strong Start
As of now, Kyle Larson has accumulated 208 points with one win, three top-five finishes, and four top-10 finishes in six starts. He has led 92 laps and boasts a 100% lap run percentage, demonstrating his consistency and performance throughout the season.
