Late in October 2020, Hendrick Motorsports announced that Kyle Larson was going to pilot their No. 5 car entry in the 2021 Cup Series season. Many fans were understandably pleased for one of the most talented drivers in NASCAR.

Having won the 2014 Xfinity Series ‘Rookie of the Year’, Larson really came into his own with Chip Ganassi Racing in the Cup Series. Winning six races and accumulating a number of Top 10 finishes, the 28-year-old certainly knows how to get the job done at the highest level.

For his experience in the division and his transfer to a premier team, Matt Kenseth believes Larson would be the car to beat in 2021. He also details why he believes that to be the case.

Kyle Larson will be more focused than he’s ever been, said Matt Kenseth

Kenseth stated, “My pick for the most race wins this year and the most dominant car is Kyle Larson. I just feel like he’s gonna knock it out of the park.

“He’s one of the most talented drivers out there to start with. And now he’s with a really great team, which was a really, really great team before.”

Larson staked his claim in the short and dirt tracks racing events last year. Having done exceptionally well, he earned the move to Hendrick Motorsports, where he now teams up with the likes of Bowman, Byron, and 2020 Cup champ, Chase Elliott.

“But he’s also had kind of a year off. I think he’s gonna have extra motivation. He’s going to work harder, and he’s going to be more focused than he’s ever been.”

Larson secured 10th place on his Hendrick Motorsports debut in the 2021 Daytona 500

“And I just feel like he’s going to be really hard to beat. I feel like he’s going to be the car to beat this year in my opinion,” concluded Kenseth.

Although the start of the race did not go per expectations for Larson, he made up track positions in the second stage. Heading into the last stretch, he made sure he stayed clear of the final lap crash and came home in 10th place.

So while the start has been decent from Larson, the team will expect him to put up an even better show in the forthcoming races. In doing so, he would just prove why Mr. Rick Hendrick made the right decision of choosing him.

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