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Consistency Counts: Kyle Larson Racing Continues Top-Five Surge Despite Late-Race Heartbreak
P4 Finish at Kansas Marks Fifth Top-Five in Last Six Races for No. 5 Team
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – It wasn’t the finish Kyle Larson and the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports team had in mind, but once again, they proved why they’re one of the most consistent forces in the NASCAR Cup Series this season.
Larson crossed the line in fourth place at Kansas Speedway after a dramatic late-race battle saw him lose the lead in the final laps. While the checkered flag eluded him, Sunday’s result marks the fifth top-five finish in the last six races for the 2021 Cup Series champion—solidifying his team’s position as a formidable championship contender.
“We had the car to win for a good portion of the race,” Larson said after climbing from the No. 5 Chevrolet. “It’s tough to finish off when the track changes like that and everyone’s throwing everything they’ve got at you. We’ll keep learning and keep fighting.”
Larson led 46 laps and was in command late in the race before a late caution bunched up the field. On the final restart, Bubba Wallace powered ahead, while Larson got stuck in traffic, losing key track position. Despite the setback, he managed to rally and bring home a strong fourth-place finish.
Crew chief Cliff Daniels praised the team’s effort and focus. “We’re clicking right now,” Daniels said. “Every week, we’re in the mix. You want to win them all, but staying consistent and racking up top-fives is how you stay in the hunt. We’re proud of the speed we’re bringing and how Kyle’s executing behind the wheel.”
That consistency has been the hallmark of Larson’s recent stretch. With finishes of 1st, 2nd, 5th, 3rd, and now 4th over the past six races, he’s shown the pace and patience of a driver who understands the long game of the NASCAR Cup Series. The only blemish during that run was a 16th-place result at Martinsville, a race that still saw the No. 5 car lead laps before late-race issues.
Sunday’s performance at Kansas, a track where Larson has excelled in the past, reinforces Hendrick Motorsports’ continued dominance on intermediate ovals. The team continues to fine-tune setups for both qualifying and long green-flag runs, a balance that’s paying dividends as the summer stretch nears.
While a win slipped through his fingers, Larson remains firmly in the top tier of the standings, both in overall points and playoff projections. More importantly, his confidence and the team’s momentum appear stronger than ever.
“We’re building something every week,” Larson said. “It’s all about execution—on pit road, in the car, and with our calls. I know we’re getting close.”
With the season entering a critical stretch of races, Kyle Larson Racing is hitting its stride at just the right time. The wins will come—but even without the trophy this weekend, the message is clear: Kyle Larson is a constant threat, and he’s not backing down.
