Kyle Larson makes surprising admission after Atlanta

Kyle Larson made a surprising admission following this past weekend’s Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, revealing he’s more fond of the track’s former style, from before it underwent it’s now-beloved reconfiguration in 2021.

The Hampton, Georgia speedway’s change from a classic intermediate to a drafting-style track was a controversial one, but it’s created some entertaining racing over the past few seasons. After another highly successful weekend at the track, where Larson finished P3, Atlanta received immense praise for the show it put on once again.

However, it’s evident Larson still isn’t the biggest fan of the venue since its transformation. During an appearance on Corey LaJoie’s Stacking Pennies podcast, the Hendrick Motorsports star explained why he fancied Atlanta more before the reconfiguration, even if he’s doesn’t wholeheartedly disliked how the track races now.

“I would still prefer the old Atlanta, just because I feel like I would have, selfishly, a better shot,” Larson proclaimed. “But, like pure entertainment value? I don’t know how it comes across on TV, but behind the wheel, it’s tense. It’s so tense. I mean, just gripped to the wheel. Little movements. It’s fun. 

“It’s what I wish that Daytona and Talladega were. Because then I think we would all enjoy it more. The fans would enjoy it more. The racing would be better. But I just think Atlanta’s a good size. It’s a small track, and the corner radius — you don’t have the grip that you want, and there’s like gaps and holes to fill. Yeah, Daytona and Talladega, you’re just like, [shrugging].”

All told, it’s easy to see why Larson believes Atlanta was better before the seismic shift. Before his podium finish this past weekend, he finished P30 or worse in his last four trips to the track. That’s enough to kill anyone’s love for a place, even if the fans have praised the action they’ve seen.

Of course, superspeedway racing has also given Larson fits in the past, so adding another drafting-style track to the mix, instead of the intermediate-style that the former champion thrives on, is something he isn’t going to have a lot of support for. Still, he’s improved year and year at the medium, and he certainly makes up for his struggles with his immense success elsewhere throughout the season.

The old Atlanta Motor Speedway isn’t coming back, so it’s something Kyle Larson is just going to have to get used to. His P3 finish is evidence that he’s starting to figure it out though, and he’s getting closer and closer to notching his first win at the track.