Kyle Larson’s 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoff journey has been remarkably consistent. In the Round of 16, Larson showcased his resilience and consistency, securing 6th place at Daytona, 19th at Darlington, and 12th at the World Wide Technology Raceway. In the Round of 12, Larson secured a 32nd-place finish at Bristol, 7th at New Hampshire, and a 6th-place finish at Kansas, showing a gradual attempt to remain in the top. Now, as he advances to Las Vegas, he shifts the spotlight to the second race of the Round of 8: Talladega.

Hendrick Motorsports has etched its name in NASCAR history with unparalleled success at Talladega Superspeedway. The team boasts 14 Cup Series victories at the 2.66-mile track, the most among all organizations. In the 2025 season, HMS continued its legacy by achieving 4 top-10 finishes at Talladega. But while Larson’s momentum and Hendrick’s track record promise thrilling developments ahead, Larson remains cautious of the dangers.

Kyle Larson’s straight-shooter approach for Talladega

Ahead of the first Round of 8 NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the 2021 champion offered his perspective on the superspeedway’s timing, as his preference for Talladega in the Round of 8 stems from the desire to avoid what NASCAR fans often call a ‘fluke’ winner derailing a championship contender’s season. “I mean, part of me kind of likes it in this round, because there’s less guys that can win it,” he said. By the time the field is whittled down from 16 to 8 drivers, the overall level of competition is significantly higher.

The elimination of several wild car contenders in the earlier rounds increases the probability that a Round of 8 winner will be a strong, well-funded, and prepared team. He articulated this concern by contrasting the two rounds, stating, “Where if it’s in the round of 12, like there’s more guys that can fluke into a win and take a spot away from you in the round of 8.” In previous years, the Round of 12 has been prone to unexpected winners who were not strong championship contenders, such as when A.J. Allmendinger won the Charlotte Roval in the 2023 Round of 12.

By the Round of 8, with the field reduced and the points tighter than ever, the focus shifts more to the consistent top-tier teams like those of Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Team Penske. Larson, who runs exceptionally well on the 1.5-mile tracks that open the round, appreciates the greater margin of error created by fewer potential first-time playoff winners. The tracks in the Round of 8, including Las Vegas, Talladega, and Martinsville, are historically strong venues for Larson and his team, giving him confidence regardless of the Talladega factor.

“Wherever in the Round of 8, like if you win in Talladega, all of us are deserving of being in the final 4 at this point,” he opined. HMS has a strong history at these tracks. For instance, Larson’s teammate William Byron has a win at Las Vegas and two wins at Martinsville, while Larson himself is projected to be the favorite to win the opener at Las Vegas. But despite the heightened risk of a multi-car accident, Larson accepts the danger as a constant in the sport.

He continued, “But I mean, the crashes and whatnot, that can happen anywhere, but I think me, personally, without putting a whole lot of thought into it, I think I like it better in the Round of 8 than in the other rounds.” This strategic thinking highlights why perennial championship contenders prefer the final elimination rounds to be a test of pure speed and execution rather than a lottery, making the Talladega variable more palpable when the field is already reduced to the elite 8. Yet, there is another change that Larson seems to address about NASCAR.

Kyle Larson offers reality check on NASCAR’s new horsepower package

Fans have been buzzing ever since NASCAR announced an increase in horsepower for select tracks, jumping from 670hp to 750hp. John Probst, NASCAR executive vice president, emphasized the role of fan feedback in these changes, stating, “I would say, like any other change that we are considering to the cars, we listen to the fans a lot.” The news, initially dropped by NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell on Dale Earnhardt Jr.‘s podcast, has generated excitement, but Kyle Larson urges a tempered perspective.

Speaking to Frontstretch, Larson explained the reality behind the numbers, noting his personal experience testing the new setup. “So, I would encourage you all and fans to, like, not over-promote it like it’s fix everything, you know, and so I would, yeah, encourage everybody to kind of temper their expectations, like it’s not way different. I did a test recently… and nobody told me that I had higher horsepower, and I never really realized it, so yeah, so I wouldn’t say it’s going to feel different or look. I think it’ll be better, but I don’t think it’ll be it’s not fixed,” he said.

The HMS driver’s insight gives fans a realistic view of what to expect in upcoming races. Larson also shared a humorous anecdote about the testing day at Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, South Carolina, narrating, “Yeah, I think I did the test on like Tuesday, and we were flying to wherever race that weekend New Hampshire on a Friday or Saturday, and they’re like, ‘Yeah, what’d you think of the higher horsepower?’ I’m like, ‘We had higher horsepower?’ So, yeah.”

While only certain road courses and shorter ovals will run the 750 HP package in 2026, Larson‘s teammate, Chase Elliott, called it a “good effort” and highlighted the team’s focus on overall performance, showing that HMS’s drivers are concentrating more on strategy and consistency than chasing raw horsepower.