Kyle Larson needs a good performance at the upcoming Xfinity 500 race, or he risks dropping out of the Championship 4 heading into the NASCAR playoffs finale.
The American driver has won twice the amount of races of any other driver this year but has been plagued by inconsistencies.
He doesn’t like the current generation of NASCAR and struggles to have confidence in his car – resulting in some frustrating incidents.
His latest spin at the Straight Talk Wireless 400 added to his collection of recent mistakes, leaving him at risk of being eliminated from the playoffs.
Kyle Larson doesn’t believe he ‘did anything wrong’ in spin
The spin while contending for victory cost him at least 10 points in the race to make the season-closing Championship 4.
He now stands just 11 points ahead of the cut-off line and is vulnerable to being knocked out of the playoffs if he fails to finish inside the top 10 at least.
Speaking after the Homestead-Miami race, he mentioned how he believes that his late spin wasn’t his fault.
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“Well, I mean, you saw the previous 15 [laps]. I didn’t have another opportunity before then,” Larson said. “You just don’t know if you’re going to have another chance.
“So, that was as close as I had gotten to him, and felt like I had to make the move because just the way that the air is, and the grip is out of the tyres, you’re just kind of stuck.
“I don’t think I did anything wrong. There was a gap, and I was going to try to take it.”
What does Larson need to do to ensure a Championship 4 berth?
The most important aspect of the upcoming Xfinity 500 for Larson will be keeping his car intact and in contention.
He doesn’t need to go all guns blazing and fight for the win, he simply has to ensure that he makes the final race of the season, and still has a shot at glory.
At every event, he has super speed and does so without the need to go over the edge and push the boundaries too much.
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His rivals are aware of his weaknesses and will be looking to engage in combat with him, but that’s where he will need to remain strong.
By avoiding the likes of Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin and William Byron, he can ensure that he is competing against them for a second title next weekend.