Kyle Larson’s NASCAR championship hopes suffered a major setback at the Watkins Glen Cup Series race, where he finished last due to a brake line leak that left him 16 laps behind the competition. Despite this disappointing result, crew chief Cliff Daniels expressed confidence in the team’s ability to regain momentum.
Larson, the 2021 Cup Series champion, had qualified 26th for the race but was aiming to improve his position throughout the event. Unfortunately, a spin on lap six caused by reduced braking power crippled his chances early on. The incident pushed him down to rejoin the track on lap 22, already far behind the field.
Although Larson gained a free pass a few laps later, he remained 15 laps off the leaders, effectively eliminating any possibility of moving up the standings. He ultimately finished 39th overall, earning only two points despite registering the fastest lap of the race. Reflecting on the unexpected brake issue, Larson said:
“When we came in and realized how much brake fluid was coming out of the lines in that area, we just took our next steps to get it replaced, get it fixed, get the brakes bled and get the car back out there.”
—Kyle Larson, Driver
“There’s not a whole lot to be said about right now, other than we’re just not getting the results. We’re going to keep building on the momentum that we have as a group: our operation, our chemistry and all the things that we’ve been kind of fostering and growing this year. Never bet against yourself, and just being realistic about where we are, the fact that we have shown up with speed the last handful of weeks, I’m really hopeful that people count us out.”
—Kyle Larson, Driver
With only two races remaining in the NASCAR regular season, Larson faces a critical challenge to maintain his spot in the championship chase.
The Steep Road Ahead for Larson’s Championship Ambitions
Kyle Larson’s position in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series standings has worsened following his last-place finish at Watkins Glen International. He currently trails the points leader William Byron by 85 points and has dropped two places in the rankings, overtaken by both Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell. This sizable deficit puts Larson at serious risk of falling out of contention before the regular season concludes.
Despite the difficult situation, there remains a slim hope for Larson to recover his championship hopes. If he manages to win the next two races, along with securing multiple stage wins, he could potentially close the gap and re-enter the conversation for the title. However, this would also require his main competitors to struggle significantly and earn minimal points over the final rounds.
Given the magnitude of the points Larson needs to make up, many view his chances as nearly out of reach, making his pursuit of the 2024 NASCAR championship a daunting task.
Team Resilience and Future Prospects
Despite the setback at Watkins Glen, Hendrick Motorsports and Larson’s crew are determined to maintain their focus and build upon the progress they achieved earlier this season. Cliff Daniels and the team emphasize the importance of chemistry and steady growth, confident that their recent speed will help them bounce back in the closing races.
With the pressure intensifying, every aspect of the team’s operation will be tested as they prepare for the next event. Larson’s reflective and measured outlook suggests he understands the challenge ahead but remains hopeful that their collective effort can produce improved results.
As the regular season nears its end, all eyes will be on Larson and Hendrick Motorsports to see if they can defy the odds and salvage his NASCAR championship hopes in the final stages of 2024.