Kyle Larson Laments Brickyard 400 Loss to Bubba Wallace
Hendrick Motorsports star driver Kyle Larson is sad and proud after losing the Brickyard 400 to 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace.

Bubba Wallace, Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin (Via @jeff_gluck/X and IMAGO)
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NASCAR witnessed history in making on Sunday, as 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace became the first black driver to win at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. His win come at the cost of Kyle Larson, who was seeking redemption, as the No:5 Chevy driver failed to overtake Wallace twice in the overtime restarts, with drivers more concerned than ever about fuel load.
Kyle Larson was defending winner and was expected to get the better of the No:23 Toyota, but 23XI Racing gave Bubba Wallace a car with balance he liked for the first time since maybe his last win, ending a 100-race streak of poor results. The No:5 Chevy team has been going through a massive performance drop and was hoping to use the Dover top 5 momentum to his advantage, but the pace difference was significant at the end.
Talking about the loss in the double overtime restarts, Kyle Larson admitted that he had a good start first time than the second time, but Wallace did exactly what he did the year before. When the race leaders take the inside line, if not for a lucky break with a mistake, winning the race isn’t possible unless the leading car ran out of fuel.
I mean, the first one played out a little bit better, but I mean, it’s so hard to, you know, it’s kind of the same thing with me last year. You know, the leaders get the inside. It’s really hard to beat that. So, you’re kind of just hoping for some good fortune again with fuel and whatnot.
Kyle Larson said on his post-race interview (Via On3).
At the same time, Kyle Larson is proud of his efforts and his team, considering the executed with perfection almost throughout the race, for the first time since his last win in the 2025 season. The pit-crew played a critical role in getting him up to the speed, and he seems really happy about the weekend.
But regardless, you know, proud of my team today. We just executed. I don’t think we passed many cars on track but you know our pit crew did a great job and our team did a good job with strategy. So, you know, happy to get a good result like that.
Kyle Larson added.
Kyle Larson hails Bubba Wallace on the win
Further talking about the race, Kyle Larson congratulated Bubba Wallace who started the race at P2 and finished P1. The duo has a solid relationship, making it into the sport around the same time, despite having some clashes over the years. They respect each other and Larson is happy seeing a good due like Wallace on the victory lane.

Yeah, wish we could have been one spot better. But congrats to Bubba. That’s so cool, you know, this is a big race and um, you know, he’s a good dude.
Kyle Larson asserted.
Though not happy with finishing P2, Kyle Larson reiterated that he is happy with his team and the momentum he now has on his side. The back-to-back top-5 finish has finally helped the team to get out of the rough stretch.
Not really. Obviously, I would love to be one spot better. I would love to be kissing the bricks for the second year in a row. But you know, it’s been a rough stretch for us lately. So, to get two top-fives in a row is something I’m proud about.
Kyle Larson added.
The Hendrick Motorsport team is going to use this race to their advantage and secure another win in the regular season, before the playoff starts. There are four more races left before the playoffs and one more win, would give him the edge he needs the championship chase.
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