There is a fine line between ambitious and opportunist. Kyle Larson straddles it, in his relentless desire to achieve it all. Larson’s talent cannot be questioned, his passion is evident and his aspirations await him with the Las Vegas win. But will that be enough?

Hendrick Motorsports’ #5 driver has confirmed his place in the championship 4 race. In the process, he dethroned his #24 teammate from the top of the playoff standings. Now William Byron looks forward to a Homestead win for another spot in Phoenix. But Kyle Larson might not permit it.

No respite for William Byron after Kyle Larson’s Vegas fortune

Rick Hendrick’s #24 Chevrolet driver ended the regular season with 5 wins and highest stage points. Even in the first two playoff rounds, William Byron emerged as the most reliable playoff contender with the best average finish of 5.5. However, Kyle Larson had announced his championship intentions with the first playoff race in Darlington. 

The #5 driver did not finish lower than 4th in the Round of 16. Larson nearly began the Round of 12 with a win at Texas Motor Speedway. He led 99 laps before spinning out and giving an opportunity to his teammate Byron to mark Hendrick’s 300th win. When the #24 driver took over the reins of the second round, Larson waited for the third.

Anticipation was high for William Byron to recreate his spring Las Vegas victory in the Round of 8 playoff race. But Larson never rescinded an inch of his prime position and swept the stages all the way to the Phoenix Raceway. Ideally, this would allow Byron to target the upcoming race in Homestead with the #5 team providing their assistance and support. 

Watch this story: Christopher Bell Had Kyle Larson’s Heart in His Mouth During Lucky Championship 4 Escape

Except, Kyle Yung Money Larson and his crew chief Cliff Daniels have no intention of taking the next two weeks lightly. They clarified in the post race conference that the #5 team cannot afford to lose momentum in the coming weeks. And this ruthless ambition could cost the winningest HMS driver of the season.

Who will conquer Homestead in the battle within Hendrick Motorsports?

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Both William Byron and Kyle Larson have previous victories at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. But Larson won more recently in the exact same playoff race last year. Whereas Byron won the year before. With 5 Top 5s, the #5 driver boasts an average finish of 10.7 on the triangular oval. Unfortunately, Byron’s lone Top 5 brought his average down to 17.

In this one-race-takes-all format, the tables truly turned with Kyle Larson’s Vegas victory. William Byron no longer leads the points table. Kyle Larson led 1031 laps and garnered 14 Top 5s to become the strongest championship contender this season. In Larson’s track positions between team loyalties and boundless success, will William Byron lose the race?

Watch: When Kyle Larson Unleashed his Yung Money Persona to End William Byron’s Homestead Stronghold