NASCAR CUP SERIES: CHAMPIONSHIP RACE

November 8, 2026

Kyle Larson

Frontstretch Quotes

An Interview with:

Q. Kyle, three-time champion. You had a week to think about it. Did you allow yourself the thought of what is it going to be like in this moment?

KYLE LARSON: Yeah, I mean, you definitely think about it, but try not to. I'm just so proud of my team, first and foremost. Hendrick Motorsports, this was statistically probably one of our worst years. To still come away with the championship shows how resilient everybody at the race shop is, everybody on my 5 team, all my teammates, 24, the 9, the 48. GM, too, Chevrolet, all the key partners there.

We absolutely could not have done what we did in the Chase without the teamwork that it took. That's what this championship is, makes it so meaningful, just the teamwork. This one more than any of them took teamwork.

Q. You said when the Chase started, I don't see a way to the championship. Why was this run so improbable?

KYLE LARSON: 10 weeks ago, I don't know if my fans had a clue. I definitely didn't. We just didn't have the speed. Our execution was so-so at the time. I felt like we had glimpses all throughout really our career where we could turn it on when everything was right. That's what we did.

We made no mistakes really until tonight, all of them behind the wheel. I got the word that we had clinched it. I started driving like an idiot (smiling). I'm more mad at myself.

Again, thanks to Cliff Daniels, my whole team. Cliff mentioned on the radio our car chief, Jesse Saunders, he doesn't get enough credit for what he means to our race team, too. The boss here, Mr. H, Mr. Hendrick, Miss Linda, thank you for everything.