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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 16: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, speaks to the media during the NASCAR Cup Series 64th Annual Daytona 500 Media Day at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 16: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, speaks to the media during the NASCAR Cup Series 64th Annual Daytona 500 Media Day at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Kyle Larson has begun to show his class and his talent once again this season. The defending champion won the race in Fontana and came second in a last-lap duel with teammate Alex Bowman in Las Vegas.
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Naturally, it goes without saying that Larson is once again the favorite to win this weekend in Phoenix. After all, it is the same track where he capped off his dominant 2021 with the championship and his tenth win of the season.
However, this time around, things could be a little tricky.
This is because the No.5 Camaro will start from the back on Sunday courtesy of an ‘unapproved’ change.
“Due to unapproved adjustments to address steering issue, @KyleLarsonRacin will start at the rear of the field on Sunday,” No.5 Team tweeted.
Due to unapproved adjustments to address steering issue, @KyleLarsonRacin will start at the rear of the field on Sunday.
— No. 5 Team (@Hendrick5Team) March 12, 2022
Yet despite him starting from the rear, NASCAR fans’ hopes about him having a strong showing at Phoenix were unfazed.
In fact, many of them suggested Larson will be out in front within a few laps, that it’s almost commonplace for him now to charge from the back and take the win like it’s no ‘biggie.’
Some of them also took this opportunity to make a joke on Larson’s teammate Chase Elliott, who is struggling with good finishes this season.
Look on the brightside fontana he started at the rear and won. Long race with the best driver in the world
— Corey Jefferson (@dirtking94) March 12, 2022
Well Chase should be safe for a few laps then.
— Kspirits (@dakandzeke421) March 12, 2022
It won't. He'll be up at the front before you know it.
— John R. (@Casino196) March 12, 2022
So you’re saying it will take about 17 laps to get back to the front instead of 5? Perfect! That will make for some good racing. Thanks! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
— Bill 🇺🇸 (@BillDenton7) March 12, 2022
so that means he’s winning then
— Patrick🇮🇪 (@poggerspatrick) March 12, 2022
Only fair … need to give the other teams an equal playing field.
— Tom Roberts (@tom_roberts_37) March 12, 2022
This will be Kyle passing chase up on lap 5 pic.twitter.com/eqdKcSsZwX
— Miguelc93 (@Miguel_c_93) March 13, 2022
Kyle Larson is inexplicably good according to Dale Earnhardt Jr
In a recent interview, Dale Earnhardt Jr described what makes a driver good and what makes good drivers great. “There’s guys that are good, there’s guys that are pretty decent, there’s guys that are talented. But then there’s one little group that just has something special, that everyone else doesn’t have,” he said.
“It’s a rare once-in-a-generation kind of talent.”
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 16, 2022; Daytona, FL, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (5) during qualifying for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
He added how there are drivers who are so fast, and with them “there’s no explanation” as to why they are so fast.
“Like Kyle Larson,” the NASCAR Hall of Famer said. “Where did his ability come from? This guy can win and drive anything.”
“Any type of horsepower, any type of car, he seems to excel.”
