Perfection – that is what a NASCAR Cup Series driver needs to clinch the championship title. In 2021, Kyle Larson personified that elusive word, clinching 10 Cup race wins throughout the season. That excluded his dirt racing pursuits across three different disciplines. So in total, Larson won 30 times in 89 starts in 2021 with an average finish of 6.82 across all four disciplines. Can 2024 live up to those jaw-dropping statistics?

That possibility grew significantly stronger after the Charlotte Roval race. At the Bank of America Roval, Kyle Larson outperformed even road course ace Shane van Gisbergen. This victory marked his sixth of the 2024 season and set the stage for a potential championship run, as the upcoming races are expected to be more manageable for the star driver.

Kyle Larson on a trailblazing mission

The No. 5 Chevrolet team entered the Cup Series postseason with four wins under its belt. Kyle Larson lost the regular season championship to Tyler Reddick by a single point, but he rolled up his sleeves for a fantastic playoff outing, mirroring his 2021 glory. After Bristol, Larson set his sights on Charlotte. Despite publicly admitting his dislike for simulators, he stepped out of his comfort zone for the Charlotte race. Leading 62 of 109 laps, Larson finished 1.511 seconds ahead of Christopher Bell, the only driver who could keep pace with him.

His tremendous speed and fast-multiplying stats can make for a strong argument for a potential second championship. NASCAR expert Eric Estepp harped on his stellar Roval run and incredible performance so far. “He was so fast that he had a short pit at the end of stage 1, and still cycled into the top five – earned stage points anyways. He even earned stage points in stage 2. Kyle Larson, really fast once again – his second career Roval win, the first came in 2021. Lee Diffey made a great point on the broadcast – he won the championship that year (2021), can Kyle Larson go on to do the same here in 2024. I think he’s got a great shot.”

Now that the first two playoff rounds are done and dusted, the Round of 8 should be a smooth ride for Rick Hendrick’s star. Estepp observed the massive advantages that Kyle Larson holds as he approaches the next round. “Five more playoff points earned today means Larson is 33 points above the cut line for the Round of 8. That’s a huge margin and remember what tracks are coming up…Kyle Larson won at Las Vegas in the spring, swept the stages…may be the fastest driver in Cup at Homestead Miami Speedway. Then Martinsville – Larson’s won there as well…It’s good to be a Kyle Larson fan right now.”

And Larson’s remarkable progress was formerly predicted by a Hendrick Motorsports executive.

Larson’s advance was in the air

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Being a four-time Cup Series champion, Jeff Gordon knows the signs of a potential champion in NASCAR. “You’ve got to be mistake-free through as many of these races and rounds as possible if you’re going to win a championship,” the HMS vice chairman said. And so far, Kyle Larson’s run has been close to perfect – he clinched his playoff spot early in the season at Las Vegas. Then in the postseason, he routed two rounds in the end with Bristol and Charlotte. Given his superspeedway weakness, overcoming Atlanta and Talladega could have been ordeals.

That is what Jeff Gordon had emphasized entering the playoffs – once Kyle Larson had washed his hands of the first two rounds, the Round of 8 should be easy as Estepp agrees. “The most important thing that pops into my mind, especially when I look at that schedule, is he’s got to get to round three,” Gordon said. “That round is so strong for him. You’ve got Homestead(-Miami Speedway), Martinsville (Speedway), and (Las) Vegas (Motor Speedway). Homestead and Vegas, I think, are two of his best tracks. If he gets to that round, I feel like it’s a near lock – especially with the bonus points he brings to the rounds – to get to Phoenix.”

Apparently, Kyle Larson’s second bid to a championship is merely a few easy races away. Let us see if the HMS star can meet his fans’ brimming expectations or not.