Two weeks after Kyle Larson’s attempted “Double” was literally rained on, forcing him to miss the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway, there were questions whether NASCAR would grant the Hendrick Motorsports driver a playoff waiver because he contested the Indianapolis 500 instead.
However, last Monday, Larson breathed a sigh of relief as NASCAR approved it, allowing him to continue his quest for a second NASCAR Cup Series championship.
With murky waters behind him, Larson hit the ground running in the best way possible on Sunday at California’s Sonoma Raceway — returning to victory lane.
Larson led 19 laps en route to his third win of the season, tying him with Denny Hamlin and teammate William Byron for the most victories this year.
When asked whether he feels he’s gotten back into his typical day-to-day pace following the month of May, Larson feels his already busy schedule between his day job and contending weekly High Limit Racing events could arguably be more tiring.
“My life stayed so hectic that I never felt like I never got off of a normal week for myself,” Larson admitted.
“Indy was actually not normal because it was more relaxing than anything. You’re just sitting there and you’re at the same location every day. People thought that I’m flying back and forth to Charlotte and like wearing myself out.
“But it was like, I got more sleep there than I would at home,” Larson continued. “But, I guess if anything, it gets a little bit more hectic now that I’m just NASCAR racing and just sprint car racing. I’ll do more back and forth throughout the weeks and all that.
“But that does feel normal for me.”
Regardless, Larson’s “normal” schedule sees him take a detour to Nebraska on Tuesday night to compete in his No. 57 Paul Silva-owned sprint car at Eagle Raceway before heading to the series’ next race at Iowa Speedway.
Larson lost the Cup Series point lead after missing the Charlotte race, with many wondering if that would be the difference maker in winning or losing the regular season championship.
However, with Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota enduring a blown engine Sunday at Sonoma, Larson regained the point lead.
Larson believed he and his No. 5 Chevrolet team could regain the top spot, however, “maybe not so quickly.”
“I thought we’d still have a great shot to win the regular season title,” Larson said. “Which, there’s still a lot of racing left to be had. I could easily have a couple DNFs here coming up.
“I knew after Charlotte and after seeing how the points shook out, that I wasn’t out of it. Their misfortune today really helps. But, we still just have to stay executing and trying to get great stage points, get race wins obviously, stage wins, all that.
“We’ve done a great job executing, so, just gotta keep that up.”
With nine races remaining in the regular season, Larson holds a slim 14-point advantage over teammate Chase Elliott.
