“Jeff Gordon Will Admit” – NASCAR Hall of Famer Deciphers How Kyle Larson Ended His 10-Season-Long Slump at the Toughest Track

This past weekend, Kyle Larson ended his 10-season-long slump at Martinsville Speedway, one of the toughest tracks on the NASCAR circuit, and he did it with a hard-earned victory.  In the latest episode of NASCAR on NBC Podcast, a NASCAR Hall of Famer deciphered the technicality of driving at Martinsville and how Larson finally figured it out after years of struggling.

The Technicality of Driving at Martinsville Speedway

Martinsville Speedway is one of the most challenging tracks on the NASCAR circuit. The half-mile paperclip-shaped track is known for its tight corners, long straightaways, and flat banking, making it difficult for drivers to navigate. The track demands precision and finesse, and a driver’s ability to manage the brakes and throttle is critical to success. It is a track where a slight misstep can be costly, and overdriving can lead to disaster.

1999 Winston Cup Series winner, Dale Jarrett highlighted the technicality of driving at Martinsville and how it is different from other tracks. He said, “You know Jeff Gordon will, he will admit that Martinsville was something that he couldn’t adapt to quickly and it was the test session there many years ago that it finally came to him what he needed and he was able to get his cars to do that all the time regardless of when they changed and knowing exactly what he needed to do to make the most and maximize his talents there.”

“And I think Kyle Larson finally worked hard and figured this out.”

He further added how drivers might try hard at tracks that they find difficult, but that there’s an inverse relation between the amount of effort and the outcome of those efforts. He added, “I have to say that sometimes when you have the track that you’re not performing well at, the harder you try, the worse off you are.” “And it’s just fine being small things that you need and over driving Martinsville is the absolute worst thing you can do as a driver but sometimes it’s just not in your make up as a driver not to attack attack attack.”

“But the drivers that you see that have done well there and have multiple wins through the years are drivers that figured it out that the amount of breaking and of throttle timing and what you do in that throttle time and what you can do to maximize it to be best for you. “

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Jarrett praised Larson for his hard work and dedication, noting that he had finally figured out what he needed to do to succeed at Martinsville.

Kyle Larson’s Hard Work Paid Off

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The Hendrick Motorsports driver had never won a Cup Series race at Martinsville before. In fact, he had struggled mightily at the track throughout his career, with only three top-five finishes in 17 starts. Larson’s win at Martinsville was a testament to his perseverance and dedication.

It showed that even the toughest challenges can be overcome with hard work and a willingness to adapt. The victory was also a milestone in Larson’s career, as it marked his 21st Cup Series win and his second win of the 2023 season. With his incredible talent and drive to succeed, it’s clear that Larson will continue to be a force to be reckoned with on the track.

“I never, ever would have thought I would have won here,” Larson said as per ESPN. “This place has been so tough on me and just does not suit my driving style at all. … I just can’t believe it.”

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Larson’s win was a significant milestone in his career, and it has given him the confidence to tackle other challenging tracks on the NASCAR circuit. As Jarrett pointed out, success at Martinsville is not just about attacking the track but also about finesse and precision.