Kyle Larson Struggles with Confidence in Worst Qualifying Run Yet

Kyle Larson arrived at Nashville hoping to rebound after tough luck during Memorial Day Weekend, where he did not finish either the Coca-Cola 600 or the Indianapolis 500.

The start to his weekend was not what he hoped for, as Larson managed just the 24th fastest lap in practice for the upcoming race.

Qualifying proved even more difficult, with Larson securing 28th on the 39-car grid—his lowest starting position of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season so far.

Among the four Hendrick Motorsports drivers, Larson was the slowest in qualifying, a rare occurrence for the 2021 Cup champion.

Before Nashville, Larson’s lowest qualifying spot in 2025 had been 25th at Talladega, which is known for its pack racing and unpredictability.

He finished second that day, showing he can climb through the field when needed.

On other types of tracks, his worst start was 19th at Darlington, a race where he was knocked out early after trying to advance his position quickly.

Nashville features different challenges, and Larson described having difficulty finding the right timing and entry points into the corners during practice.

He told NASCAR on Prime that he felt loose entering the turns, and he struggled to nail down the right rhythm before qualifying began.

Larson admitted that not having confidence in key areas of the track hurt his effort on Saturday.

He stated he could not figure out the best way to drive into the corners and was unsure of the right angle.

This uncertainty carried over from practice, and it proved costly in qualifying.

“I know our car is much better than 28th,” Larson said, expressing hope that his team could move forward during Sunday’s race.

He stressed the need for “patient aggression”—taking advantage of opportunities on track without forcing his way through gaps that could lead to trouble.

Larson’s history of racing from the back suggests the challenge is not impossible.

Last season, Joey Logano won at Nashville after starting 26th, showing that victories from deep in the field do happen at this venue.

Still, the odds are longer, and the team will need a strong strategy and execution to deliver a top result.

The 2025 campaign has seen ups and downs for Larson, who remains one of NASCAR’s most watched drivers.

His performance at Nashville will be closely followed, especially after back-to-back disappointments in two of motorsport’s biggest races just days earlier.

For fans and the No. 5 team, the focus is on recovery and making the most out of a difficult grid position.

Sunday’s race provides Larson a new chance to turn his weekend around.

With confidence in his crew and proven speed in the Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, he looks ahead to a long day at Nashville—hoping experience and calculated moves can deliver a comeback worth remembering.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.