MARTINSVILLE, Va. — This Sunday at Phoenix Raceway, the cars of the four title-contending drivers will feature yellow windshield banners and spoilers.
Among them, Kyle Larson stands out with the title of Champion on his uniform.
As the only past Cup champion in the mix, Larson’s track record could give him an edge, though he faces three competitors with strong claim to the favorite status based on their performances this season.
Denny Hamlin from Joe Gibbs Racing boasts the most wins this year with six, while teammates Chase Briscoe has the most top-five finishes and William Byron led in laps during the regular season. They might argue that their consistency outshines Larson’s.
Larson, who hasn’t won in his last 23 races, isn’t solely reliant on his own experience; his crew chief, Cliff Daniels, also brings a championship-winning pedigree to the table.
Despite his title in 2021 with Hendrick Motorsports, Larson acknowledges the shifting dynamics this year. He expressed uncertainty about his championship history having a significant impact as all drivers have valuable experience.
Daniels highlighted the differences in preparations between Larson’s previous championship run and this one, noting the shift to the Next Gen car, which relies less on custom parts. The level of competition is expected to be intense, with Larson emphasizing that all four finalists are deserving of their spots.
