NASCAR’s 2023 season Cup Series championship battle has been quite intriguing. Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron held the top spot on the Cup Series standings, till Martin Truex Jr stole the lead after his Sonoma finesse. Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney has cemented his position at the third spot on the Cup Series standings. Starting at the pole position in tonight’s Nashville Ally 400 event, Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain may finally end his year-long winless streak.

In light of these events, fan-favorite Kyle Larson spoke to the media at Nashville Superspeedway, naming his ‘championship favorite’ drivers for the 2023 season.  

Kyle Larson picks Tyler Reddick and Ryan Blaney over Kyle Busch?

Winning the Cup Series championship in 2021, Kyle Larson’s 2023 season so far hasn’t been groundbreaking so far. Still, in contention for the championship, the Hendrick Motorsports #5 driver sits at the 10th spot on the championship standings. With two title wins and 5 DNFs this season, Larson also has seven top 10 and six top 5 finishes. Larson, qualifying for tonight’s Allyt 400 race at the 7th spot, spoke to the Frontstretch’s media personnel. Discussing his 2023 season, the HMS driver was then asked which drivers are the 2023 championship favorites in his eyes. 

Responding to the question, Kyle Larson said, “I feel like there’s always a couple or a few that end up coming on, you know, towards the tail end of the regular season. Even you know once you hit the playoffs, there’s always a guy or two that stands out, and just does a really good job of executing and gaining points and stuff.”

Kyle Larson further named his eight favorite championship contenders, including himself saying, “I think William (Byron) has been really good, I think myself, you know Denny (Hamlin), you know Martin’s (Truex Jr) come on here lately. (Tyler) Reddick’s always really strong. (Ryan) Blaney’s been good here lately. Chase (Elliott) has just had a bit of a season where he hasn’t had much rhythm to it, but he’s always dangerous so you know he’s gonna come on at some point and make a run. And then Ross (Chastain), even your Ross has been really good you know, maybe not as much here lately, but yes. It is kind of hard to pinpoint but I think there’s always a few guys that are standout.”

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While the list contained the top names in NASCAR, Larson completely snubbing Kyle Busch’s name stood out. 

Is Kyle Busch a possible championship contender?

Making his switch to RCR this season, Kyle Busch is enjoying a fairly successful season. The two-time Cup Series champion sits at the sixth position on NASCAR’s 2023 Cup Series standings, just 29 points behind the Martin Truex Jr. 

With three title wins, nine top 10s, and five top 5s, Kyle Busch is undoubtedly a championship threat. Kyle Larson himself is trailing behind Kyle Busch by 56 points, a total of 85 points behind the championship leader.

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What made Kyle Larson skip Kyle Busch’s name in his championship favorite list? Drop your thoughts in the comments.