Earlier this season, Kyle Larson made his way to victory lane at Richmond. This week for the NASCAR Cook Out 400, he’s confident he can do it again. That confidence is not unwarranted as Larson has proven himself to be arguably, the best short-track racer this season. He’ll have to defend that title against Martin Truex Jr. but it isn’t wild to say he could be the king of the smaller tracks.
In his career, Kyle Larson has two wins at Richmond. His first came with Chip Ganassi Racing back in 2017. However, even when the wins aren’t there, Larson is able to qualify very well at the very least. His first race ever at the track in 2014 in the Cup Series he won the pole. He has been the pole winner three times in his career at the track.
Ahead of the Cook Out 400, confidence is key for Yung Money. With wins at Richmond, Martinsville, and North Wilkesboro in the All-Star race, the evidence is there.
“All of our wins this year have been on short tracks; Richmond, Martinsville (Va.) and (the All-Star Race) North Wilkesboro (N.C.),” Larson said, via NASCAR. “We were good at Loudon (N.H.) – even compared to the teammates. Honestly, we have been pretty good everywhere this year.
“I’m excited about going to Richmond this weekend and going back to a track that we won at earlier this year. As the season progresses, set-ups change, and the weather is going to be different than it was earlier in the year. It’s not going to be the same, but I’m confident because we have been good at all the short tracks.”
Of course, this is the next chapter in the newest feud on the track, Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin. Will we see more fireworks between the two drivers on this short track that they both have so much success at?
Kyle Larson might get his shot at Denny Hamlin at Richmond
If you go back through the years, Denny Hamlin has been great at Richmond. This is one of his home tracks and he always tries to put on a show. However, Kyle Larson has a new fire under him and might be trying to make a statement.
After the two had their drama at Pocono, one side has been deny-deny-deny and the other side has been pi–ed, to say the least. While Hamlin won’t admit to making contact with Larson, likely to avoid NASCAR’s scorn, Larson is steadfast in his belief he was bumped and ran into the wall.
Both drivers have good odds from Las Vegas to win this race. Qualifying is going to give us a clearer picture if they are fast off the hauler or not. Both Larson and Hamlin have been great in qualifying lately and I don’t expect that to stop any time soon unless they have major issues with their car’s setup.
Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin were 1-2 in this Richmond race back in 2016. Perhaps that was a little foreshadowing for the future to come. Part of me thinks that we are going to see the 5 and 11 race close to one another at times this weekend, and when they do, it will be must-watch TV.
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