NASCAR CUP SERIES: CHAMPIONSHIP RACE

November 8, 2026

Kyle Larson

Victory Lane Interview

KYLE LARSON: Thanks to Steve O'Donnell and NASCAR for all that you do for us teams. What a year. Bringing the Chase back was exciting. Yeah, just proud of this team. It's going to be fun to celebrate with everybody tonight. All of our families, wives, girlfriends, significant others, mechanics in the race shop that don't get to come often.

You fans, too, for sticking around. Thank you guys so much for what you mean to me and mean to the sport. Let's go get some more.

Q. Because of the adversity that the 5 team faced, how does this hit different than the other two?

KYLE LARSON: All three mean something way different. The first one being your first. Doing the way we did was extra special. Then last year, we started off the year really hot. Just declined kind of throughout the regular season. But then steadied out in the Playoffs. Again, with Cliff's leadership, kept us in it, to be able to attack when we needed to, get the surprise of that championship.

This one, I mean, it's somewhat similar, but such a different format that really takes consistency. We had a new car this year. The Chevrolet was just hard to get used to in the beginning. We all worked really hard at Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet. We were just building.

I could feel we were okay, but I definitely didn't think we would go on the run we did in this final 10 weeks. To get three wins, be as consistent as we were, it's just a true testament to Cliff's leadership, honestly. We would not have a single championship without him. I am so thankful to have him in my corner.

Q. Let's talk about that leadership. You told me a few weeks ago we got the best version of Cliff this year. How does he make you and why does he make you a better driver?

KYLE LARSON: Yeah, I mean, he just holds such a high standard, but in a good way, for us. He just keeps us positively motivated. It just gives us a fuel that burns throughout the whole year.

I never once felt burnt out this year, not once, not even through the tough times we were having. He just gave me a lot of confidence.

I knew whenever it came together, we would be ready. I just didn't know it would be this year and at the time that it was.

Yeah, he's always kind of reshaping himself and his leadership. Man, there's no better crew chief in the garage. There's nobody better on the radio leading all these men and women. Yeah, he's a Hall of Famer already, as well.