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RICHMOND, VA – SEPTEMBER 09: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
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RICHMOND, VA – SEPTEMBER 09: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
The Hendrick Motorsports team enters a new season after an eventful 2020 season. The top team has another NASCAR Cup Series champion to its name, in Chase Elliott, while the legendary Jimmie Johnson departs and rising star Kyle Larson enters the ranks.
Larson’s entry into the star-studded line-up has garnered a lot of attention lately. Larson has always displayed his talents behind the wheel and with superior equipment at Hendrick, he is expected to be a serious title challenger, sooner than later.
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One of his new teammates at Hendrick, William Byron, is quite excited to learn from Larson. “He’s bringing a totally different dynamic,” Byron said recently, ahead of Larson’s inclusion.
Byron himself is a young and talented driver, having won his maiden Cup race in the regular-season finale at Daytona this year. Byron can benefit a lot from watching Larson from close quarters, along with Elliott and Alex Bowman.
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AVONDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 07: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 McDonald’s Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series FanShield 500 at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
What separates Kyle Larson from the rest, as per Bowman
Speaking further about Larson, Byron revealed that the 28-year-old focuses more on how he feels in the car. In today’s times, where a lot of data is thrown around for teams to look at, Byron likes Larson’s approach.
“He’s very much a field guy and really focuses on what he feels in the race car; doesn’t look at a lot of data and things like that. That’s a good thing in today’s day and age. There’s a lot of data you can look at, but it really just comes down to feel and how to go fast,” Byron expressed.
The 23-year-old hopes to interact more with Larson once they start working alongside each other. “I’m looking forward to that refreshing look and getting to know him a little better,” Byron added.
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DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 10: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, stands on the grid after posting the fastest lap during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Stepping into big shoes
The team also sees a lot of internal changes to its set-up, with Bowman stepping into the iconic no. 48 car vacated by Jimmie Johnson. At the same time, Larson himself takes up the no. 5 car, which was earlier the no. 88, previously driven by another legend in Dale Earnhardt Jr.
For Larson, this is another chance to show the NASCAR circuit the extent of his abilities as a stock car driver. He stunned everyone through his performances on the dirt racing circuit this year and hopes to carry that confidence at Hendrick Motorsports.
READ MORE – Kyle Larson Gets a Key Addition to His No. 5 Team as Jeff Gordon’s Former Teammate Joins Him
