Ex-Hendrick Motorsport Crew Chief Reveals the Secret Behind Playoff Struggles at the “Benign” Kansas Speedway

Kyle Larson‘s performance in the opening races of the playoffs has been particularly impressive, securing a victory at Darlington and a solid 4th position at Kansas Speedway. Despite its deceptively simple appearance, the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway has a knack for creating chaos on the track, particularly in terms of grip and restarts. A notable instance of this occurred when Kyle Larson, after the 6th caution’s restart, saw himself lose multiple positions, plummeting to 20th place.

These race dynamics underscore the fact that Kansas Speedway is a mix of surges and complexities, defying its outward simplicity. Insights from former Hendrick Motorsports crew chief shed light on the challenges this track presents, making it an unpredictable and intriguing battleground.

Former Hendrick Motorsports crew chief on Kansas’ struggles

Ahead of the race, veteran Steve Letarte cautioned drivers about the seemingly straightforward Kansas Speedway, emphasizing its potential to be a game-changing factor. He highlighted that the track’s characteristics, including the possibility of two, three, or even four-wide restarts, could introduce a significant level of unpredictability and pressure for the drivers.

Following the race, Steve Letarte elaborated on why he had referred to Kansas as “benign.” His explanation likely delves into the unexpected and complex challenges that this outwardly simple track presents, which may not always be apparent to those watching from the sidelines.

During the NASCAR on NBC podcast, Steve started, “My word at Kansas was, ‘don’t be complicit’ and the reason I say that is because it looks so benign, even from the booth. You walk out and it is a very symmetrically shaped, smoothly laid out Kansas Speedway. But this magical mix of high speed and low grip that I think it just begs drivers and teams to dance so close to the edge.”

Letarte recalled race moments and continued, “Whether it’s right rear tire failure we saw, I’m assuming now [Martin] Truex [Jr] I think had a puncture. The other ones laid down run you would’ve assumed or maybe due to lower air pressure, some set up items but that’s because generate speed and when it comes to the driver themselves, you know what looks easiest in life sometimes is the most difficult and that’s what Kansas is.”

“It’s a track that you can ride around and have no trouble. But you gonna run lap down or two because to be good there you’re really on the edge of grip, the restarts are crazy.” He concluded. He further shed light on the other aspects beyond the track that can pose challenges for teams.

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Steve Letarte points fingers at other factors that affected the outcomes of the teams

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Absolutely, the entire team plays a crucial role in steering a car towards the checkered flag. As we saw at Darlington, pit crew mishaps can significantly impact a driver’s day, even when they’ve held great positions throughout the race. Conversely, the importance of smooth, lightning-fast pit stops was evident at Kansas, where Kyle Larson benefited from his team’s efficiency and found himself in the lead.

On the same podcast, Steve said, “And the simple fact is we make a lot about the drivers the pressure on them and perhaps we don’t make enough about the pressure on everyone. The crew chief, the spotter, pit crew because the issues are everywhere. I mean they’re up and down pit road, they’re up and down the grid, they’re up and down at restarts and I attribute it r.eally to the pressure at Kansas in general just begs you, it just like taunts you to go little too far on anything, at top speeds speed, tire pressure and aero setup, driver decisions and on other side of that are mistakes”

Indeed, the pressure of the playoffs can exert a noticeable influence on a driver’s performance. It underscores how every aspect of racing, from the pit crew to the driver’s mental composure, must come together seamlessly for success on the track.

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