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Kyle Larson advances in NASCAR Playoffs after Stage 1 at Charlotte Roval

JHby: Jonathan Howard10/05/25Jondean25
Kyle Larson
Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

Nothing but smooth sailing for Kyle Larson. He has picked up enough stage points to advance to the Round of 8. Just one stage at the Roval, and Larson is moving on in the NASCAR Playoffs. For other drivers, the suspense is only starting to build.

Kyle Larson finished P2 in the first stage. He earned 9 points for that effort. Now, the No. 5 team has shed all of the pressure of today and is ready to really race.

While it might be futile to try to beat Shane van Gisbergen today, it could be possible. Larson won this race a year ago, and SVG wasn’t perfect on Saturday in qualifying and practice. So, the opportunity is there. One mistake could change everything.

No matter what, Larson is in the Round of 8. The championship may still be Larson’s for the taking.

This season has been a tale of two halves for Kyle Larson. Three wins early on in the season and nothing since Kansas-1. But could his low-key demeanor and second half of the season be a benefit at this point rather than a detriment? Larson quietly advanced on points today and appears to be just fine not being in the spotlight.

As for Austin Cindric, he has been eliminated from the NASCAR Playoffs. He had a spin early on and had to serve a stop-and-go penalty on the track. Then Carson Hocevar just took him out after locking up his brakes into the frontstretch chicane.

Along with Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell advanced to the Round of 8 early. He had to wait until after Stage 2, but Bell clinched before the finish of the race today at the Roval. Now, we wait and see if there is a new winner. Tyler Reddick is still hanging in there.

Kyle Larson advances, Roval producing playoff drama

Just when everyone is focusing on Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, and others, Kyle Larson is starting to find his groove. His speed today has been impressive. Together with Bell, they appear to be the only drivers capable of dethroning SVG today at the Roval.

Right now, Bell and Larson also have nothing to lose. No matter what, they are making it to the Round of 8. The only question is, how much momentum will they have going to Las Vegas and Talladega and Martinsville? It’s going to be a wild ride the last month of the season.

On the cutline, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, Chase Briscoe, and Tyler Reddick are all fighting for that last transfer spot. It is going to take grit and determination to knock Logano out of the picture. Briscoe appears to be comfortable at this point. Well, as far as points go. In the car, he’s been sick all race and fighting nausea.

Kyle Larson might steal this race from SVG. Let’s see how it plays out and how the Round of 8 shakes out after the checkered flag waves.