“Makes Too Many Mistakes”- Veteran Insider Warns Kyle Larson With Blunt ‘Checkers or Wreckers’ Revelation

The excitement of the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race is dwelling more and more as the community gears up for the Phoenix Raceway drama. The track has consistently favored Kevin Harvick, boasting an impressive 9 wins from 41 starts and an outstanding average finish of 8.6. However, as he gracefully bows out of the Cup chase, attention shifts to Kyle Larson, who now holds the most promising track record among the top four contenders.

It’s important to note that this does not discount the abilities of the other drivers, each of whom has the potential to dominate the race track with their high-speed vehicles. However, according to insights from NASCAR experts, the driver from Hendrick Motorsports is undoubtedly a standout. Experts have conducted a thorough and detailed analysis, weighing the pros and cons, to understand the potential of Kyle Larson to dominate both the race and the championship, positioning him as the frontrunner for this prestigious honor.

NASCAR insiders meticulously outline the performance of Kyle Larson, highlight potential areas for improvement

With a total of 18 starts at Phoenix, Kyle Larson has managed to maintain an impressive average finish of 11.7, boasting one victory, notably a championship win, seven top-5 finishes, and eleven top-10 finishes. His ability to lead the most laps of any driver this season is a testament to his aggressive and determined style of racing. Kyle Larson, a fervent dirt track racer, has consistently demonstrated his exceptional talent and racing instincts, from mastering the high line at Homestead-Miami Speedway to his commanding performance at Martinsville earlier in the year.

Additionally, Larson and his team have had the unique advantage of extra preparation time for Phoenix. Their victory in the first Round of 8 race in Sin City ensured their spot in the finale, allowing them to shift their focus and efforts solely on the upcoming race.

Steve Letarte, a former employee of Hendrick Motorsports, echoing these sentiments, shared his insights, as he stated, “I think the first thing we have seen out of the last two winners- they won the first race of the third round and had three weeks to prepare. I think that’s a huge advantage. […] It is checkers or wreckers for Kyle Larson, so I have this blueprint, as I truly believe that he will make other drivers uncomfortable with his raw speed. And we are going to see it in practice.”

He continued, “We are going to see it in qualifying, you know. When you look there and the guy you have to beat is fast, that does wear on you, so I think that’s a strength. The other thing I have for him is he has a good pit crew with firepower. So, I don’t think they make a lot of mistakes, and they have game-changing abilities. That’s how he won Vegas, and that is a big contributor to the championship.”

Watch This Story: The Phoenix Rises: Kyle Larson’s Spectacular Comeback

However, Todd Gordon from MRN offered a contrasting viewpoint, noting potential challenges Larson might face. “I think he makes too many mistakes. And I wouldn’t say that he’s a closer late on restarts. If there’s late cautions, his raw speed is incredible, but I don’t think he races really well when he has to do that.” Historically, Kyle Larson has shown a tendency to lose momentum during restarts, requiring time to regain his pace.

As Steve Letarte and Todd Gordon debated Larson’s prospects, offering a comprehensive analysis of his performance, Dale Jarrett seemed to align his predictions more closely with Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s selection.

Dale Jarrett sides with Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s unexpected choice for the top-4 lineup

Ryan Blaney of Team Penske has turned heads with his remarkable victory at Martinsville Speedway, sidelining Denny Hamlin from progressing to the championship quartet. While many might have been skeptical of Blaney’s potential, his recent performances have undeniably stood out.

Delving deeper into his choice on the Motorsports on NBC Podcast, Jarrett observed, “It’s easy to go off of the most recent thing that happened. But it’s not just the most recent; it’s the recent history at Phoenix with Ryan Blaney and his team with this car.”

Jarrett further backed Dale Jr. his selection by highlighting, “And I think that means a lot that they have everything that it takes. They have had speed in the cars. He has performed well here. He finished second to his teammate Joey Logano last year when Logano was the champion. I just believe this is Ryan Blaney’s time. I believe he comes in as the hottest driver performing on this type of track.”

Read More: NASCAR Legend Names Championship Favorite Kyle Larson’s Biggest Threat Heading to Phoenix

Additionally, Jarrett acknowledged that a strong argument could be made in favor of any driver in the championship four. After all, Kyle Larson clinched a championship on this very track, while both William Byron and Christopher Bell have previously exhibited commendable performances at Phoenix. However, when the rubber meets the road, Jarrett firmly stands by his choice: Ryan Blaney.