Kyle Larson is feeling bullish. For a driver in the middle of a 23-race winless streak, it’s not the kind of mindset one would typically expect. But ‘Yung Money’ is no ordinary driver. Widely hailed as a ‘generational talent’, the Hendrick Motorsports racer has proven time and again that he has what it takes to compete amongst NASCAR’s big boys. Only this time, he had Lady Luck on his side as well. A 5th-place finish at Martinsville was enough to secure a Championship 4 berth, and now it’s all for the taking.

And if history is anything to go by, momentum counts for little in the season finale. Thanks to the ‘win and in’ format, Larson has as much of a shot at the Bill France Cup as anyone else in the upcoming race, and the confidence is there for all to see. With teammate Byron also in the mix, Mr. H’s team is on the verge of making history once again.

Kyle Larson is determined to deliver a title for Hendrick Motorsports

Reflecting post-race, Larson was overjoyed. He said, “Happy for him, happy for our team, happy for Hendrick Motorsports. You know it says this win is as good as it you know could have for us. You know, for us to score more points to Christopher and then have you know, William or Chase win. Glad we can give Mr. H an opportunity next week, and hopefully, you know, one of us can win it. But I’m proud of everybody at Hendrick Motorsports. I feel like we’ve just been progressing so much during the playoffs to put two cars into the championship 4.” 

And Larson gains this confidence because of his remarkable run in 2021. The No. 5 driver had clinched his spot in the Championship 4 with a commanding victory at the Round of 8 race in Texas. He dominated the race by leading a race-high 257 laps and sweeping both stages. The California-native’s performances not only secured his fourth win of that season but also solidified his position, allowing his team to focus on preparations for the season finale at Phoenix Raceway.

This experience gives Larson an edge over his 3 rivals (Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, and William Byron), who haven’t won a title just yet. And as the other 3 look to claim their first title, the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports driver is aiming to lift his second championship.

In the title race at Phoenix in November 2021, Larson’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. Starting from the pole position, he led a race-high 108 laps and won stage 2. The turning point came during a late race pitstop when Larson’s crew executed a lightning-fast 11.8-second stop, allowing him to exit pit road ahead of his competitors. This strategic move prompted him to hold off challenges from fellow playoff competitors. And it can be said with much confidence that Larson is definitely chasing that same momentum this time around.

While Denny Hamlin faced a turbulent race in Martinsville today, Larson’s spot was still uncertain, unlike the others. Only one point separated him and Christopher Bell heading into the Xfinity 500. While he didn’t win, Larson executed the race perfectly.

At the end, Larson’s consistency and strategic decisions paid off. Crossing the finish line in fifth place, he secured the final Championship 4 spot, edging out Christopher Bell by just seven points. Sure, Victory Lane continues to elude him, but Larson’s performance at Martinsville highlighted his ability to balance aggression with prudence, a skill that ensured the 2021 series champion would get another shot at a second title in Phoenix.

But as Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney saw himself out of the Championship 4, it was a sad day for Kyle Larson’s teammate, Chase Elliott.

Chase Elliott fails to seal his spot in the Championship 4

Heading into the penultimate race, desperate for a win, Chase Elliott needed a Martinsville victory to keep his title hopes alive. The 2020 cup champion had short flashes of brilliance, finishing fourth in both opening stages, but it wasn’t enough to catch his teammate, William Byron, and his rival, Ryan Blaney, who zipped past him to claim first and second. Elliott did manage a late overtake on Ross Chastain for third, but with Chastain out of title contention, it was more a consolation than a lifeline.

Elliott’s heartbreak at Martinsville adds a third consecutive chapter to a familiar saga. He has now missed the Championship 4 three years in a row, despite having reached the finale from 2020 through 2022. More importantly, he won here in 2020 when it mattered most, but this year, the magic didn’t strike twice.

Still, not all is lost. While the 2025 campaign wraps without another title shot, the No. 9 driver’s season wasn’t without bright spots, including his first multi-win effort since 2022. His team has clearly made progress, and with momentum heading into the new season, Elliot is shaping up to be a serious championship favorite when February rolls around next year.