Photo credit: www.motorsport.com
Kyle Larson is currently considered one of the leading figures in the NASCAR Cup Series. However, he recently expressed that the transition from the Gen-6 to the Gen-7 race car has significantly impacted his performance statistics.
Larson achieved his 14th victory during the Next Gen era at Homestead-Miami Speedway, marking the 30th win of his career. This accomplishment places him among a select group of 29 drivers who have reached this impressive milestone; yet, Larson posits that his total wins could have been much higher if NASCAR had delayed the switch to the new chassis for a longer period.
Equalizing Competition
“If we were still using the 2021 car, I believe I would have around 50 Cup wins right now,” Larson stated during his press conference following the Homestead race. “I feel that the switch to this new car has restrained our winning potential.”
This assertion is striking, as Larson suggests that he could have secured approximately 20 additional victories over the past three seasons had it not been for the introduction of the current generation of cars, which has arguably made the competition more balanced throughout the Cup Series.
Analyzing Larson’s performance during the final year with the old car lends some credibility to his statement. In 2021, he not only claimed the NASCAR Cup Series championship but also achieved an impressive tally of ten victories and led a remarkable 2,581 laps—an astounding figure that outstrips any of his competitors by over 1,000 laps. The advent of the new car has effectively nullified the distinct advantages that teams like Hendrick Motorsports had cultivated since the introduction of the Gen-6 in 2013, thereby resetting the competitive landscape of the sport.
Despite the challenges posed by the current car model, Larson continues to perform well. He recorded three wins in 2022, followed by four in 2023, and is leading with six victories in 2024. His most recent win at Homestead was the first of the 2025 season, coming after just six races.
“I think being part of a strong team and being able to adapt to new challenges is essential, and it’s an area where our 5 team excel, along with the 24 team driven by Byron,” Larson remarked. “Together, we likely rank among the top two teams in terms of Next Gen wins. We have young, adaptable drivers and teams that are making strides.”
“Driving these cars can be quite challenging. They require intense effort on the track, which I believe plays to my strengths,” Larson added.
Highlights from Homestead-Miami – Race
Source
www.motorsport.com