Kyle Larson evaluates NASCAR Playoffs performance ahead of Roval elimination race

The NASCAR Playoffs have not been great for Kyle Larson, but he has done what he has had to do to advance up to his point. Facing the Roval, Larson looks set to advance comfortably on points. But how has he felt about his performance lately?

Kyle Larson has had better finishes. He has had more speed. But lately, things just haven’t been clicking like they did in the first three months of the season.

NASCAR, compared to many other series, is an endurance series. Three, four, sometimes five-hour races are not out of the norm. But it isn’t just about the long haul on Sundays, it’s about the long haul throughout the year. 38 weeks is no joke.

Speaking to the media at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kyle Larson was asked about his performance in the 2025 Playoffs. The Hendrick driver isn’t down about the lackluster finishes.

“Yeah, this round has gone pretty good. I feel like both of the two races have been pretty similar,” Larson said. “Really, a few of the races have been similar where we’ve gotten lots of stage points and then didn’t finish as high as we had run in the first two stages. But I feel like our speed has gotten better. I feel like we’re executing well.

“Just, you know, now is kinda, as you get into the next round, it’s time to kind of turn the intensity up and take a little bit more risk and things like that. So, yeah, I feel like our team has quietly been getting better for a while now, and I feel like each week we’re continuing to get better. So, yeah, just exciting going to the track, and it’s just an exciting time of year, really, right now. It’s fun and hopefully we can keep elevating and be where we need to be come Martinsville.”

Kyle Larson doesn’t have to win, but it would help

Kyle Larson doesn’t have to be great to advance today. He needs to go out and finish the race on the lead lap, basically. That will be enough to get him through on points. But last season, Larson won this race. So, it’s not going to be easy to just let it go and ride around. These drivers are competitors. They are ready to race for the win no matter the points situation.

Larson has not won since Kansas-1 earlier this year. Since that wreck in the Coca-Cola 600 in the first part of the race, Larson has been mediocre most weeks. Which is shocking to say about someone like Larson.

The Roval is an opportunity to gain momentum. You don’t have to win tonight, but doing so would be a major boost to team morale going into the Round of 8. Any success this week that could help this team perform next week is going to be looked at favorably by the 5 team.