Last year, Kyle Larson enjoyed a great Cup Series season, culminating in a maiden championship for him. In the process, he romped to an astonishing 10 wins during the season. This is an incredible feat, at a time when the grid has been ultra-competitive. It is also worth mentioning that retired NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson also achieved this feat in 2007. As it happened, it was his second Cup Series title.
So the big question is, which of the two had the more impressive 10-win season? Coincidentally, both drivers recorded their first win of the season at the same venue, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Johnson would then go on to seize victory at the next race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Next on the hit list was the Martinsville Speedway, two races later.
After a three-race gap, he won again at the Richmond Raceway Beyond that, there was a long gap to his next visit to Victory Lane at the California Speedway and Richmond again. After a winless streak of four races, Johnson went on a roll, with four wins on the trot. He triumphed at Martinsville, Atlanta, Texas, and at the Phoenix Raceway.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
How does Kyle Larson compare to Jimmie Johnson?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Contrary to Johnson, Larson had to wait for nearly 10 races before his next win at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. However, he made up for it by adding wins at Sonoma and Nashville Superspeedway to make it a hat-trick. Following a five-race win drought, Larson clinched victory at Watkins Glen, followed by Bristol after another five-race gap.
Finally, in the last five races of the season, Kyle Larson put the hammer down. He went on to win all but the penultimate race, at the Martinsville Speedway. However, it was the final race at the Phoenix Raceway that really counted, and he romped to victory at his maiden Cup Series title. Judging by the statistics and the gaps between victories, the edge probably goes to Kyle Larson.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What do you think about this? Let us know in the comments below.
READ MORE: Jimmie Johnson Applauds Kyle Larson for Paying the Perfect Tribute to Hendrick Motorsports