Larson Aims for Bristol Hat Trick in NASCAR Cup Series
Kyle Larson, the standout driver for Hendrick Motorsports, continues to set the pace in the NASCAR Cup Series as he heads into the Bristol Night Race. Larson is on the brink of making history by seeking his third consecutive victory at Bristol Motor Speedway, a feat last achieved by Kurt Busch during 2003-2004.
In his previous two outings at the famed bullring, Larson demonstrated remarkable dominance:
- September 2024 Race: Led an unprecedented 462 of 500 laps, marking the most laps led by a Hendrick Motorsports driver in a single Cup Series event.
- In total, Larson has led 873 of 1,000 laps over the last two Bristol races, achieving a staggering 87% lap dominance—an accomplishment not seen at short tracks since Bobby Allison led 903 laps in 1972.
Further details underscore Larson’s prowess at Bristol:
- Since joining Hendrick Motorsports, he has not finished lower than fifth at the track.
- He has claimed victory in three of the last six races here.
Reflecting on the Bristol Night Race, Larson stated, “The atmosphere is always up for the Night Race. It’s not considered a crown jewel but in my mind, it’s the one I want to win really badly every year.”
Entering the elimination race with a fifth-place qualifying effort, Larson is poised strategically as the highest-ranked driver on the playoff grid without a win, enjoying a 60-point cushion over the cutline. As the field chases him, Larson remains the driver to watch at Bristol.
