Kyle Larson reflected on his performance in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Indianapolis, stating there was nothing he could have done differently to prevent Bubba Wallace from securing the win. The intense Brickyard 400 showdown saw Larson’s No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet and Wallace’s No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota battling fiercely in the final laps.
Wallace maintained the lead with just four laps remaining, but a late rain shower forced the race into overtime. This extension provided Larson with two opportunities to overtake Wallace—first on the initial restart and then again following a multi-car crash that brought out another caution flag.
Final Laps Trigger Dramatic Overtime Duel
Despite Larson’s determined efforts on both restarts, Wallace managed to keep his lead, ultimately winning by a slim margin of 0.222 seconds. Larson, the 2021 Cup Series champion, acknowledged the difficulty in finding a way past Wallace, whose car positioning made passing nearly impossible.
“There’s nothing you can do here to pass, so, no, I don’t really think there was anything I could do differently,”
Larson said.
He described the restarts, noting his gear choices and Wallace’s tactics:
“I was second gear on the first restart, and honestly, that one worked out a little bit better, but he almost got clear of me down the frontstretch.”
On the second attempt, Larson added,
“And then on the second restart, he brought the pace down a little bit slower, so I needed to be first gear. It was kind of the same thing with me last year – he had the preferred lane on the inside, and it’s really hard to beat that.”
He further reflected,
“The first one played out a little bit better. Kind of the same thing with me last year. Leaders got the inside. It’s really hard for me to beat that. Kind of just hoping for good fortune again with fuel and whatnot.”
Strong Performance Elevates Larson in Championship Standings
Though Larson finished second, he expressed satisfaction with the overall result, particularly as it moved him closer to William Byron in the points race. He remains optimistic despite some tough defeats this season.
“Regardless, proud of my team today,”
Larson remarked.
“We just executed. I don’t think we passed many cars on track, but our picker did a good job and our team did a good job with strategy. Happy to get a good result like that.”
He also congratulated Wallace on the victory, adding,
“Wish it could have been one spot better, but congrats to Bubba. That’s so cool. This is a big race, and he’s a good dude.”
Larson Reflects on Recent Near Wins Amidst Competitive Season
Larson, a three-time winner in 2025, has endured several narrow losses this year, yet his focus remains steady. Asked about handling close calls, he responded,
“Not really. Obviously I’d love to be one spot better. I would love to be kissing the bricks for a second year in a row. It’s been a rough stretch for us here lately. To get two top fives in a row is something I’m proud about.”
The Brickyard 400’s outcome highlights both drivers’ skill and perseverance, with Wallace’s victory enhancing his stature and Larson’s consistent strong finishes keeping him locked in a tight championship battle. As the season progresses, Larson’s team will seek to capitalize on their momentum, striving for that elusive win at one of NASCAR’s most prestigious venues.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Kyle Larson better than Verstappen?
A. Larson may not defeat Verstappen in Formula 1, but he is more adaptable than anyone worldwide. Bianchi says Larson stands out due to his diverse accomplishments. He succeeds in many different kinds of cars.
Q. What caused Kyle Larson to crash?
A. A day following the accident, Bob Pockrass from FOX Sports shared Larson’s remarks on X. Larson stated that the crash happened because the axle broke.
Q. Who did Kyle Larson marry?
A. CONCORD, N.C. – Kyle Larson and his wife, Katelyn, announced the birth of their third child, Cooper Donald Larson, on New Year’s Eve. Kyle, who drives the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, shared this news on social media on Monday. Cooper is now part of the family, along with their son Owen, who is 8, and their daughter Audrey, who is 4.