The saying is true: time does fly when youโre having fun. Or, in the case of Kyle Larson, when youโre one of the most successful active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series. And itโs hard to believe that Larson, who drives the No. 5 Chevrolet, is going into his fifth season with Hendrick Motorsports.
โIt is,โ Larson told RACER. โI think life just goes by faster as you get older. I feel like I was at Ganassi (Racing) for a super long time, and Iโve already been at Hendrick for close to the same length. But weโre having more success now, so that helps things go by quicker.โ
The success was instant. In 2021, Larson got behind the wheel of his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, with crew chief Cliff Daniels leading the team. He then had a 10-win season that ended with the series championship. In the last three years, he has added 13 more wins, giving him 23 in four seasons.
And to answer the question that is sure to follow those numbers: yes, Larson has won the most races in the Cup Series since 2021. William Byron, Larsonโs teammate, comes the closest to Larson with 12 wins since 2021.
โIโm getting older, too,โ Larson continued. โIโm at a much different place in my life than I was at 22 or 23. Iโve got three kids now, and that keeps things going crazy. I love being at Hendrick Motorsports; theyโre the best. I hope to be there until Iโm done.โ
Larson was in party mode from the start with Hendrick in 2021, but if anything the consistent success has just furthered his ambitions. Rusty Jarrett/Motorsport Images
In four seasons, Larson has cemented his place in the sport but, perhaps even more significantly, shed any doubt that he could be one of the best in the process. The juxtaposition of his career is clear. Larson at Ganassi was also on the fringe of bigger success, showing he was more than capable. Larson at Hendrick is a powerhouse, and with that has come more respect and interest from the media.
Larson won six races in six years driving a Ganassi car and it became predictable where he would excel. There were three wins at high-speed Michigan International, one at Fontana’s high-speed Auto Club Speedway, and two short-track triumphs at Richmond and Dover. The highest Larson placed in the championship standings was sixth, and he never made the Championship 4.
โItโs nice to show up to the racetrack pretty much every week and know youโve got a shot to win,โ he said. โI think that helps keep you hungry and striving to do what you can to win. Back when I first started, there were only a handful of races throughout the year where I felt like I could maybe win (that) weekend, and you got really excited about that.
โBut now, being at Hendrick, you get excited every week because you feel like you have a shot to lead lots of laps and execute and have it turn out to win. Back in the day, if you executed perfectly, you got an eighth, which was great, but itโs not a win. So, it feels good and just a lot of hard work by everybody at the race shop and each team.โ
Most of Larsonโs statistical categories have reached new heights since getting to Hendrick Motorsports. In four seasons, 143 races, Larson has more wins, championships, Championship 4 appearances, and poles than in the 219 races spent with Ganassi. It wonโt be much longer until the same applies to top-10 and top-five finishes.
Itโs good to be Kyle Larson. Or want to be him. Larson and his team have become the standard in the Cup Series. He is the driver put No. 1 on all lists, whether it be about talent, championship favorites, or who a team owner would want. His stock rises after each completed NASCAR season, the ever-growing list of accomplishments in dirt racing, and being an Indianapolis 500 attraction.
He might not have gotten the last laugh in 2024, but Larson’s No. 5 was always in the mix. Danny Hansen/Motorsport Images
Larson is also far from done. At 32 years old, he still has many years ahead, and there is no sign of the pace slowing down or his team falling behind.
The โ24 season didnโt end in a championship, but it could have. Larson led the series in victories (six) despite missing one race, having the third-best overall average finish (12.9) and appearing to be the all-around fastest driver.
There will be more of the same in year No. 5 for driver No. 5. Itโs only unclear of just how much for Larson as he continues to fulfill what he always seemed destined for in the series.
โEverybody wants to end up racing for a team that can showcase their abilities and talents and hopefully (they) can win lots of races and championships,โ Larson said. โThankfully, weโve been able to do all of that. So, Iโve enjoyed my time at Hendrick Motorsports and being surrounded by great people is awesome, too. Rick Hendrick is probably the greatest person Iโve ever had in my life besides my wife, kids, and parents, as far as being a role model and all that. Rick and Jeff Gordon, especially. There are just so many great leaders there.
โItโs been a great time, and part of me wishes I could have been there a long time ago, and maybe my numbers would be closer to the great-greats of the day. But Iโm also grateful for my time at Ganassi because I think itโs definitely helped shape me into a better, more well-rounded race car driver like I feel like I am today. I hope to be at Hendrick for a very long time and hopefully win a lot more races and a couple more championships.โ
