The Chase is set to begin; Kyle Larson is excited that Phoenix Raceway is no longer the final NASCAR race
This weekend, The Chase begins. 16 drivers are in the battle for a NASCAR Cup Series championship under a new format.
Playoff eliminations are gone. Now, it’s just a 10-race stretch with 16 drivers the whole way.
Kyle Larson is a two-time winner under the old format. He won the championship in 2021 and again in 2025.
Phoenix Raceway has hosted the championship finale for several years. This year, it’s been moved back to Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The 34-year-old is heading into the 2026 battle less confident. But, he’s happy the finale has been moved…
Kyle Larson comments ahead of The Chase
“I’m not as confident as I’ve been, for sure, in other years,” Larson said during NASCAR Cup Chase Media Day at the Charlotte Convention Center.
“But I wasn’t, honestly, sitting here that confident last year, and we were able to win the championship.
“So, I know there’s a path to do it. We did it last year without winning a race in the final 10. And, yeah, we weren’t even really all that consistent, from what I remember. I think if you can be ultra-consistent in these final 10, there’s no doubt that I could see ourselves winning the championship.”
“I could also see ourselves winning four or five races in [the Chase]. Things have to go perfect, but we do have a lot of good tracks for us in these final 10. We need to execute at a high level, and I think our team is definitely capable of that, so just try and do our best.”
“Phoenix, we suck,” Larson added despite both of his titles being won there. “I’m glad that’s not the final race anymore. We are horrible there, so that’s maybe our worst track on the schedule.”
The Chase begins this weekend at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina.
Kyle Larson hit in window during Daytona NASCAR crash (Video)
