Kyle Larson Declares New NASCAR Championship Format “Suit Hendrick Motorsports Better”

Hendrick Motorsports’ two times Cup Series champion Kyle Larson has shared his thoughts on how new format will benefit his team.

Kyle Larson Declares New NASCAR Championship Format “Suit Hendrick Motorsports Better”

Kyle Larson (Via IMAGO)

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The NASCAR community got the championship format they demanded for, as the sanctioning body finally decided to scrap the playoffs and go back to the 16-driver version of the original chase format. The reigning champion Kyle Larson is as excited as the rest of the garage about the 2026 title format change.

Talking about it recently on the Out of Bounds podcast, Kyle Larson shared his thoughts on the new system that will reward consistency more than ever. He pointed out that majority of the racers are happy with the change and how the sample size to crown the champion is large. The veteran expects the regular championship contenders to thrive regardless of the change.

I think probably all of us were happy to hear of the format change. I think your championship contenders in the playoff format are gonna be the same in this format. It’s just that a larger sample size is gonna be much nicer.

Kyle Larson told Out of Bounds! via YouTube.

Further talking about the point, he highlighted how the three race rounds in the playoffs always made things complicated for the racers. Now with the larger sample size teams can make more calculated risks and the two times Cup champion believes the change is going to suit his team Hendrick Motorsports more.

A lot can happen in a three-race mini-series that can take you out of it. The larger sample size is gonna be better, and I think it would suit Hendrick Motorsports better.

Kyle Larson added.

Kyle Larson shares thoughts on the advantage he has with HMS

In the same conversation, Kyle Larson explained the advantage he has racing for Hendrick Motorsports. He highlighted how during his Chip Ganassi Racing days, he came into track with a lot of uncertainty over how the car would perform.

Kyle Larson
Kyle Larson (Via @KyleLarsonRacin/X)

Early in my career, when I was with the team that… you know. I knew that showing up at the race track, we probably weren’t going to have a shot to win. That’s when the season gets long.

Kyle Larson said.

Further talking about the point, the veteran racer pointed out that at HMS he has a chance to win everyday and it keeps him motivated. Being with the best team in the history of the sport comes with the its own positives and negatives.  

I think with Hendrick Motorsports, you always feel like you have a chance to win when you go to the race track. That keeps you motivated and keeps you excited about performing. I wouldn’t say it feels grueling or long or anything like that currently. But I am with the best team, which helps.

Kyle Larson added.

The comments from the champion driver are on point, as at HMS he got the best shot at race wins as well as titles. With the new format, the expectations on the No:5 team will be more than ever. It would be interesting to see how everything is going to playout for them starting from the Daytona 500.

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