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BROOKLYN, MI – JUNE 18: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Cars 3/Target Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

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BROOKLYN, MI – JUNE 18: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Cars 3/Target Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
In just over a week’s time, the NASCAR 2021 Cup season is going to begin. Not counting the Busch Clash, the Daytona 500 serves as the season opener every year. This year’s edition is significant because it marks the return of Kyle Larson to the racing scene.
He initially dropped out due to certain circumstances but has since redeemed himself and earned a #5 Hendrick Motorsports drive for the new season.
In the past two editions of the ‘Great American Race’, he placed seventh and 10th respectively. Speaking about his past races, he joked that accidents have often done him in. Despite this, he learned to dodge accidents and tried to cross the finish line near the front of the pack.
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“I guess when you do get in the crashes, don’t hit anything too hard,” Larson said. “I think Hendrick Motorsports’ equipment on superspeedways is probably the best there is out there.
“They continue to get poles and qualify upfront. That’s not what I’m used to at superspeedways, so I’m excited going to Daytona and Talladega and tracks like that and seeing how I can compare.”
Kyle Larson may be under a little pressure in the Daytona 500
Admittedly, Hendrick Motorsports has a history of bagging pole at the Daytona 500. Kyle Larson is acutely aware of this considering that he does not have the best track record at superspeedways.
“I know the car is going to be fast and it’s really going to be up to me to make the right decisions on the racetrack and execute on pit road and do all the little things right.”
“If I do that, I think we’ll have a shot to win the biggest race of the season and get started off on the right foot as a new team,” Larson added.
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DAYTONA, FL – FEBRUARY 15: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Chip Ganassi Racing Credit One Bank Chevrolet Camaro, during final practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Larson acknowledged that he was not a particularly good qualifier on superspeedways. However, he insisted that the car will be quick, and the rest is up to him.
If the Hendrick Motorsports driver plays his cards right, he could be in with a shout of winning the biggest race of the season.
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At the same time, it will really cement his place within the new team, and Larson is definitely ready to prove himself on the track and work with his new teammates.
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