Kyle Larson 'more eager' for 2024 after championship shortcomings
For Kyle Larson, this was another missed opportunity. He has a NASCAR championship, but he’s chasing history now. Larson, just 31 years old, was the eldest driver in the Championship 4 this year. He came close, but ultimately, couldn’t outrun Ryan Blaney at Phoenix.
Kyle Larson will have to wait at least one more season to become a two-time champion. Many people believe he will end up claiming multiple championships, but he also has to do it. There is no doubt that he is a championship favorite yearly now and for good reason.
After the Phoenix race, Larson gave a debrief on his Championship 4 run and what he is looking forward to in 2024.
“Our pit crew and pit road just really kept us in the game,” Larson said, via Hendrick Motorsports. “We weren’t the greatest on the track, but I was hoping for pit stops because I knew the way our team executed our lights and the way our pit crew can execute a fast pit stop. They did everything in their power to give us the winning job done there. A huge thank you to them.
“I needed to come out the leader on that restart. Ross (Chastain) got a really good start from the second row. Was hoping I could’ve got clear of Denny (Hamlin), get the lead and have Ross protect behind me. I’m not sure that would’ve made a difference. I was just not as good as a few guys, especially Blaney and Ross. My team did a really good job all season. I’m extremely proud of them.”
There is one thing that Kyle Larson can do in 2024 to have a dominant season.
Kyle Larson has to put his checkers or wreckers past behind
This season, Kyle Larson had eight DNFs. That is a stat that he does not want to have, at all. While he’s able to win a handful of races a season, and could have had a couple of more wins if not for Denny Hamlin this year, he has a knack for over-aggression.
The Homestead-Miami race was the perfect example of that. He tried to close the pit road gap with Ryan Blaney. He felt it was the moment he needed to win the race. Blaney slowed up a bit, Larson didn’t slow down fast enough, and into the sand barrels he went.
Being patient on the track would go a long way. Even if he didn’t pass Blaney on that pit stop, he could have raced for the lead or waited for another caution to come.
Really, he’s a great driver otherwise. Car control is off the charts, he gets the best out of his car – sometimes he lacks confidence due to past failures. However, Cliff Daniels does a good job of keeping Larson’s head up.
Based on his comments, I think Kyle Larson has his eyes on a big season. 5+ wins another Championship 4 appearance, and hopefully, a second Bill France Cup.