Kyle Larson “Unhappy” With Phoenix Weekend Despite Season Best Finish

Reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson has shared his thoughts on the average performance in the Phoenix race.

Kyle Larson “Unhappy” With Phoenix Weekend Despite Season Best Finish

Kyle Larson (Via IMAGO)

The fourth race of the 2026 NASCAR Cup series season was an unhappy outing for Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson. He started the race at P2 after good qualifying, hoping to win the first real oval race of the season. The veteran failed to lead a single lap, like his three Hendrick Motorsports teammates who also had disappointing day.

He didn’t have the same pace the No:5 car had when he won the championship last years’ finale. Just like it has been throughout the Next-Gen era, HMS failed to match Team Penske and Joe Gibbs Racing. On his post-race interview, the veteran credited the good restarts he had for the successful day in terms of final result.

All day, I felt like we might not even be a top-15 car. This No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet team just kept fighting. We gained some track position and made our Chevy better throughout the race. We had some good restarts.

Kyle Larson said after the race.

Further talking about the point, the veteran candidly shared his thoughts on his true feelings about the race weekend. Kyle Larson admitted that he was clearly disappointed about how everything played out throughout and pointed out that his result was the product of the strong run from his team.

I was not happy to start the race. Really not happy all weekend. Just proud of the team. We definitely know how to fight to get a good finish here at Phoenix.

Kyle Larson asserted via Jayski.com.

The veteran admitted that he has never been able to produce a solid weekend at Phoenix, as it has always been one the track HMS has failed to crack. So, he is happy with the P3 finish. But computer in him won’t be satisfied till they crack the code to consistently win at the venue.

We do it every time. We’re never good here. It’s not a surprise that we weren’t great. We still come up with a third like we typically do here. It took a lot of fight.

Kyle Larson added.

Kyle Larson admits his team needs get better in 2026

Talking about what needs to be done in order for them to win races at the venue. He asserted that they have to find ways to get faster on the track, as they are betters in terms of taking advantage with strategy and pit-stops.

Kyle Larson
Kyle Larson (Via @KyleLarsonRacin/X)

We just need to be a lot better. Aside from strategy and pit road, we never really have a shot here at Phoenix. We’ll just keep working hard on hitting the setup to feel like we can be a contender here from start to finish.

Kyle Larson said.

The two times Cup champion and his crew need to step up their game, as well work hard behind the scene to become contenders in the playoffs race Phoenix. It would be interesting to see if Kyle Larson can find the advantage and make Phoenix his new Martinsville.

Also Read: Kyle Busch Gets Publicly Scolded by Crew Member Over Poor Tire Management at Phoenix