Kyle Larson’s aggressive driving style was on full display during the Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 27, 2024. After an early flat tire on Lap 47 sent him scraping against the wall and dropped him to 34th place, Larson’s focus and determination weren’t shaken. He and his team dug in, and by the end of the first stage, they had worked their way back up to 25th. Stage by stage, Larson clawed through the field, even managing a 15th-place finish in Stage 2 despite his car’s damaged aerodynamics.

In the final laps, Larson’s resilience put him within striking distance of race leader Ryan Blaney. With under 15 laps to go, Larson made a daring three-wide move, attempting to overtake Blaney with Austin Dillon caught in the middle. The gamble didn’t pay off; Larson’s car collided with Blaney’s, causing him to spin out and finish in 13th. Although Larson took some big risks during the race, his crew chief came forward to justify his actions.

What Cliff Daniels had to say about Kyle Larson’s driving

After the dramatic finish at Homestead, Cliff Daniels, crew chief for Kyle Larson, defended his driver’s aggressive style on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, firmly standing by what he calls Larson’s “special talent” and gritty approach on the track. Daniels explained what makes Larson unique, praising his ability to “take a wounded and damaged race car…[and] spend basically 200 laps” getting it back up to the front. For Daniels, Larson’s relentless determination is a quality you can’t coach—and that’s exactly the point. When Larson sees a gap, especially in those last laps, “you have a shot for the win. You see a hole, you have to go for it.”

Daniels made it clear he’s not interested in “coaching the special” out of Kyle Larson. In his view, Larson’s racing style and his willingness to “rip the fence, push the extra limit” are exactly what makes him successful in both Cup racing and sprint cars. Who can forget that Larson is the winningest driver of the season with 6 wins and the 2021 Cup Series champion because of his driving?

The occasional mishap is part of the deal. Daniels further explained, “Anything else would destroy what makes him who he is,” as he backed Larson’s aggressive nature to be essential to his accomplishments. In Daniels’ eyes, taming Larson’s edge would strip away the essence of what makes him a true racing champion. Daniels concluded, by saying, “I support the way he drives, his aggression level, and what makes him special—100%.”

With Cliff Daniels backing up Kyle Larson’s risky move that cost him his race, there is still a chance for him to prove his skills at Martinsville.

Will Kyle Larson make it into the 2024 playoff finals?

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Kyle Larson’s path to the Championship 4 comes down to the wire as NASCAR heads to Martinsville this weekend. Currently just seven points behind William Byron, who holds the fourth and final playoff spot, Larson needs to finish strong to advance.

While he could theoretically make it on points, a win at Martinsville would be the surest ticket to Phoenix for the Championship 4, and that’s exactly what makes this weekend so intriguing. Having won at Martinsville in 2023, the Hendrick Motorsports driver has the experience and confidence to pull off a victory, especially at a track that rewards his aggressive, high-risk driving style.

But he’s up against fierce competition. Tyler Reddick and Joey Logano have already secured their Championship 4 spots, and drivers like Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney, both former Martinsville winners, are also hungry for a win to clinch their way in.

Martinsville’s tight turns and quick, half-mile pace will demand every ounce of that grit. Whether he can hold off competitors and navigate the drama of the Round of 8 finale will be a true test of Larson’s determination to reach the final showdown.

With that said, do you think that Kyle Larson will find his way into the finals? Share your thoughts in the comments below.