Kyle Larson’s 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season has been a testament to his undeniable talent and resilience. With 3 wins, 1 pole, 11 top-5 finishes, and 17 top-10 finishes across 30 races, Larson ranks third in the standings, just behind Ryan Blaney and William Byron. His average finish was 14.4, and 943 laps led underscore his competitiveness throughout the season. Notably, Larson’s performance at Kansas has been exceptional, leading all current Cup drivers in winning percentage (28.5%) and average finish (6.3) in the Next Gen era. However, his attempt at the “Double” by racing both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day ended in disappointment due to crashes in both events. Despite these setbacks, Larson’s overall performance remains formidable. But how does this season compare to his previous ones?

Comparing Larson’s 2025 season to his past performances reveals a pattern of consistency with occasional peaks. In 2024, he secured 4 wins, 10 top-5 finishes, and 13 top-10 finishes, with an average finish of 13.6. His playoff performances have also been noteworthy, with 8 wins, 19 top-5 finishes, and 30 top-10 finishes across 50 starts. While his 2025 season mirrors his past performances in terms of consistency, the increased competition from drivers like Blaney and Byron has made the championship race more challenging.

An interesting perspective arises when comparing Larson’s consistency to that of Blaney and Byron. Blaney’s is often likened to a reliable chain restaurant like Applebee’s, offering a consistent and dependable performance week in and week out. With 3 wins, 13 top-5 finishes, and 17 top-10 finishes, Blaney’s average finish of 14.2 and 647 laps led highlight his steady presence on the track. Similarly, Byron has demonstrated remarkable consistency, with 2 wins, 10 top-5 finishes, and 14 top-10 finishes, along with an average of 13.6. While Larson’s talent is undeniable, the consistent performances of Blaney and Byron have made them formidable competitors, challenging Larson’s position as the top driver.

Despite the strong performances of Blaney and Byron, the real threat in the playoffs may come from drivers like Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin. Bell has secured 4 wins, 10 top-5 finishes, and 17 top-10 finishes, with an average finish of 13.7. Hamlin leads the standings with 5 wins, 12 top-5 finishes, and 15 top-10 finishes, along with an average finish of 13.4. Their consistent performances and ability to perform under pressure make them serious contenders in the playoff race. While Larson remains a formidable driver, the competition in the playoffs is fierce, and the outcome is uncertain.

Fans of NASCAR have witnessed a season where consistency and performance have been key. As the season progresses, it will be fascinating to see how these drivers navigate the challenges ahead and who ultimately emerges as the champion.

Fans give their verdict as Kyle Larson’s performance is put under the microscope

One fan shared a nuanced perspective, saying, “1. Larson is an elite elite tier one talent who is prone to make mistakes, often from the overaggressiveness that makes him so fast. 2. His slump has been from May to (so far) September. In the scheme of his career that’s not going to be remembered. 3. Ryan Blaney is a hell of a lot better than Applebee’s.” For instance, Larson’s dominant win at Bristol, where he led 411 of 500 laps, showcased his exceptional skill. However, his performance from May to September was less impressive, with only three top-5 finishes in 18 races and an average finish of 17.4.

In contrast, Ryan Blaney‘s steady performance, including 3 wins and 13 top-5 finishes in 2025, highlights his reliability and consistency. As one fan added, “Kyle Larson is a wild card like how Kyle Busch was in his early years. The talent is there but just not consistent. Blaney is old school. He knows how to take care of his equipment and tires which is why he is good on the long runs. I personally think that Kyle’s Indy 500 run and those comments about being “the best driver in the world,” did affect him to a certain extent. Combined that with Hendrick’s lack of overall pace and you get the “slump” that he is in.” 

At the Indy 500, Larson was involved in a multi-car crash on Lap 91, ending his race early. Later that day, he crashed out of the Coca-Cola 600 on Lap 246, marking a challenging day for the driver. On the other hand, fans have argued that Hendrick Motorsports’ performance lacks the sharp dominance expected from a four-car juggernaut, featuring top drivers like Larson, Chase Elliott, Byron, and Alex Bowman. But another fan opined, “Hendrick has been top 5 in points with Larson and Elliott and Byron for a while before the playoffs. So Hendrick has been fine all season yet Hendrick fans are still complaining.”

Others felt it was completely contradictory, writing, “I think Hendrick as a whole is not as elite as they once were. The aging Chevy body and the lack of rule changes as of late has allowed them to slip further towards the pack. Hendrick thrives when their resources allow them to out spend and out prepare other teams. Now that the playing field is so level they’re missing that extra cushion they used to have on everyone.” With the introduction of the Next Gen car and a more equitable distribution of resources among teams, Hendrick’s advantage has been eroded. Despite a strong performance at Kansas in 2025, for instance, where Larson led 221 laps, Hendrick’s overall performance on flat tracks like New Hampshire has been inconsistent.

While another fan gave a pointed comparison for Larson, saying, “Doesn’t have anything to do with how he runs on Sundays, just the fact that he’s a regular winner in two entirely different forms of racing (three if you include his brief but successful dirt late model career) is enough to make him one of the best overall drivers ever. It would be like if Russell Wilson left the Giants tomorrow, signed with a MLB team and was a starter for them for several seasons. He’s not the best quarterback ever and he wouldn’t be the best baseball player of all time, but doing that would instantly have people calling him one of the best all around athletes ever.” 

Larson’s accomplishments highlight his exceptional talent and versatility, drawing parallels to a hypothetical scenario where an athlete excels in multiple sports, thereby enhancing their status as an all-around competitor. Only the remaining races will showcase the consistency that Larson and HMS have been looking for the entire season.