Kyle Larson’s Redemption Conquering Atlanta, Battling Daytona Demons, and Chasing Superspeedway Glory

The Daytona 500 this year will not be remembered fondly—unless you enjoy watching sheer chaos. The race set a wreck record not seen since 2019, with 35 cars caught in crashes, sending some of NASCAR’s top drivers into early exits. Among the many frustrated competitors, Kyle Larson was arguably the most rejected.

For Larson, Daytona is more than just a difficult track—it’s his personal house of horrors. His history at Daytona International Speedway is downright miserable, with an average finish of 21.9. Even worse, despite 48 career starts on drafting tracks, Larson has never won.

Every time he enters a superspeedway race, the story remains the same: wrecks, bad luck, and bitter disappointment. If there was ever a race that felt like a curse, this was it.

Turning the Tide: Larson Strikes Back in Atlanta

But in a dramatic twist of fate, Larson’s fortunes flipped when he arrived at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Despite being another superspeedway-style track, Atlanta’s unique hybrid nature gave Larson something Daytona never did: a fighting chance.

Historically, Atlanta had been just as unforgiving to him, with five DNFs in his last six starts at the track. It seemed destined to be yet another painful outing.

However, this time, Larson refused to be defeated. Instead, he shocked the NASCAR world by:
Winning Stage 2—his first-ever superspeedway stage victory.
Leading 12 laps—a stark contrast to his past struggles.
Outmaneuvering top competitors to stay at the front.

“This win felt like a massive relief,” Larson admitted on the Stacking Pennies podcast. After years of pain on superspeedways, he finally had a moment of triumph.

It wasn’t just a lucky break. Larson drove with confidence, handled pack racing better than ever, and made smart strategic moves. It was a statement performance—and perhaps a turning point in his superspeedway career.

Daytona: Larson’s Haunted House of Horrors

But even with his Atlanta success, Larson can’t shake his deep-seated hatred for Daytona. He still remembers his nightmare debut at the track in 2013, when his Xfinity Series car was obliterated in a horrifying crash into the fence.

The wreck was so violent that his car went airborne, parts of the vehicle flew into the stands, and fans were injured. From that moment on, Daytona became a cursed track for Larson.

Fast-forward to 2025’s Daytona 500, and history repeated itself—just in a different way. Despite all his efforts, Larson simply couldn’t master the chaotic art of drafting. His race-winning hopes vanished in the final laps due to:
A late-race caution that ruined his strategy.
Carson Hocevar’s unpredictable move caused a messy finish.
The unpredictability of Daytona, which continues to haunt him.

For Larson, Daytona isn’t just another track—it’s a never-ending cycle of pain.

What Daytona and Talladega Can Learn From Atlanta’s Winning Formula

Though he despises Daytona, Larson surprisingly has a more favorable view of Atlanta. He admits that he preferred the old version of the track, but the recent changes have made racing far more exciting than at Daytona or Talladega.

Why? Because Atlanta gives drivers more control.

Unlike the pure superspeedway chaos of Daytona and Talladega, Atlanta’s hybrid layout combines:
High-speed pack racing—which fans love.
More skill-based handling—giving drivers a real chance to make a difference.
Less randomness—reducing the factor of luck.

The result? A better overall product for both fans and competitors.

“If Daytona and Talladega could take some notes from Atlanta, I think these races would be a lot more fun,” Larson commented.

And he’s not alone. Many NASCAR drivers believe superspeedway racing has become too much of a wreckfest, and Atlanta’s approach may be the future of high-speed competition.

Jeff Gordon: The NASCAR Legend Behind Larson’s Rebirth

Behind Larson’s Atlanta breakthrough is the guidance of none other than Jeff Gordon—a four-time Cup Series champion and a Daytona 500 legend.

After Larson’s Daytona heartbreak, Gordon gave him a simple but powerful piece of advice:
“Just be Kyle Larson.”

For years, Larson had tried to adapt to superspeedway racing—changing his approach, studying drafting techniques, and listening to advice from experts. But at the end of the day, he was overthinking it.

Gordon’s message was clear:
Stop trying to be someone else.
Trust your instincts.
Race like the driver that won the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series.

And it worked. By focusing on his natural driving instincts, Larson delivered his best-ever superspeedway performance.

The Road Ahead: Can Larson Finally Conquer Talladega? ?

With his Atlanta redemption secured, all eyes now turn to Talladega Superspeedway.

Unlike Daytona, Talladega has been slightly kinder to Larson—he has two career top-five finishes there. But a victory has always remained out of reach.

Larson’s Superspeedway Evolution: A Turning Point or a Fluke?

While Kyle Larson’s Atlanta triumph has given fans hope that he’s finally turning the corner on superspeedways, the biggest question remains: Was this a breakthrough or just a one-time success?

Historically, Larson has been one of the most dominant drivers on intermediate tracks, short tracks, and road courses. His raw talent, precise car control, and aggressive driving style have made him a force to be reckoned with. However, those same attributes have often worked against him on superspeedways.

Unlike at other tracks, superspeedway racing isn’t about sheer speed or technical skill—it’s about positioning, patience, and the ability to read the chaotic movements of the draft. The unpredictable nature of pack racing has always frustrated Larson, who prefers to be in full control of his fate.

Learning from the Best: The Hendrick Motorsports Factor

One major advantage Larson has now is Hendrick Motorsports’ rich history of superspeedway dominance. Team owner Rick Hendrick has built an organization that has won countless Daytona 500s and Talladega races, thanks to strategic teamwork, top-tier engines, and expert coaching.

Beyond Jeff Gordon’s mentorship, Larson has been able to learn from teammates like Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman, all of whom have had stronger performances on superspeedways in recent years. This access to invaluable data and drafting techniques could be the key to Larson unlocking a new level of consistency on these tracks.

A Make-or-Break Year for Larson on Superspeedways

With his Atlanta victory, Larson now has a unique opportunity to rewrite his narrative. If he can carry this momentum into Talladega, Daytona’s summer race, and beyond, he may finally silence the critics who say he’ll never win on a drafting track.

But if he falters again, it will only reinforce the idea that Atlanta was an outlier rather than a true breakthrough.

With the 2025 NASCAR season heating up, all eyes are on Kyle Larson’s next superspeedway challenge.

Will he continue to rise and finally conquer his demons? Or will Daytona and Talladega once again crush his hopes?