As the 2025 NASCAR season progresses, Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson, once seen as the frontrunner with a clear speed edge, faces growing challenges that threaten his championship aspirations. Despite a strong start with multiple wins, recent performances suggest the No. 5 team no longer holds the dominant pace they once commanded, a development that has drawn attention from 2014 champion Kevin Harvick.

Early Season Success Fades as Competitors Close Gap

Kyle Larson began 2025 with an impressive display of skill and speed, quickly securing three victories and raising expectations for another title run. However, his momentum slowed, and recent races exposed vulnerabilities. Notably, Larson achieved back-to-back top-five finishes last week, including a second-place result at the Brickyard 400. Yet, his defeat by Bubba Wallace underscored a shift—indicating Larson and his team no longer enjoy the speed advantage they once did.

Kevin Harvick addressed this change during his latest podcast episode, reflecting on Larson’s trajectory this season.

“I think that they’re back on track. I think that it’s a lot like we saw last year. I don’t think they have the speed advantage like we saw at the beginning the year last year, or the beginning of the year this year,”

Harvick said via the Happy Hour podcast.

Inconsistency Has Been a Recurring Challenge for the No. 5 Team

Harvick emphasized that Larson’s team historically tends to excel in the early parts of the season, with well-prepared cars giving them an edge over rivals. However, this advantage appears to diminish as the season advances, leading to fluctuations in performance.

“I think that, for whatever reason, their cars are always better prepared at the beginning of the season. They’re still well prepared at the end of the year, but they don’t have that advantage that it seems like they have to start the season, with the speed that they seem to have,”

Harvick explained.

This pattern of stronger starts followed by mid- to late-season struggles has posed significant obstacles for Larson, especially amid the high expectations placed on him to secure Hendrick Motorsports’ next championship in the Next-Gen era.

Harvick Weighs In on Larson’s Performance at the Brickyard 400

During the discussion, Harvick also reflected on Larson’s strategy and performance at Indianapolis. While Larson remained competitive and took the lead opportunities at times, Harvick suggested the success owed more to effective team tactics than outright speed.

“So, I think that’s as good as Larson has run in a while, and he was a contender all day. They had a good strategy, and all of those things. That’s a great team,”

Harvick remarked.

Larson’s crew chief, Cliff Daniels, has played a crucial role in navigating the challenges this season. The crew’s recent improvements have translated into better race-day results, but Harvick remains cautious about their ability to maintain this momentum when it matters most.

“I mean, Cliff [Daniels] and all of those guys who work on Larson’s car do a great job. So, they’ve righted the ship, but can they do it when it counts,”

Harvick added.

The Road Ahead: Consistency is Key for Larson’s Championship Bid

With several regular-season races remaining, the focus for Kyle Larson must shift to steady, consistent finishes. His teammate Chase Elliott’s ability to secure solid points has been a notable example this season, and Larson will need to emulate that level of reliability to keep his championship hopes alive. Sustaining front-row starts and accumulating points consistently will be critical for the No. 5 team as they aim for the playoffs.

If Larson can maintain competitive performances in the upcoming races, Hendrick Motorsports will likely enter the postseason with the momentum needed to contend strongly for the Bill France Cup, which Larson has yet to win twice in his career. The elimination of his early-season speed advantage signifies that skillful strategy and teamwork, combined with consistency, will be more important than ever.

As the championship battle intensifies, all eyes will remain on Kyle Larson and his team to see if they can adapt and overcome the challenges of the 2025 NASCAR season.