LINCOLN, AL - APRIL 26: Kyle Larson 5 Hendrick Motorsports Valvoline Chevrolet at his car before the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Jack LinkÕs 500 race on Sunday April 26, 2026 at the Talladega Superspedway in Lincoln, AL. Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire AUTO: APR 26 NASCAR Cup Series Jack LinkÕs 500 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon95326042600221
LINCOLN, AL - APRIL 26: Kyle Larson 5 Hendrick Motorsports Valvoline Chevrolet at his car before the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Jack LinkÕs 500 race on Sunday April 26, 2026 at the Talladega Superspedway in Lincoln, AL. Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire AUTO: APR 26 NASCAR Cup Series Jack LinkÕs 500 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon95326042600221
Kyle Larson's last win was a race in Kansas in 2025. The reigning NASCAR Cup champion has now been winless in 36 races after finishing 23rd in Watkins Glen.
But the winless streak isn’t for the lack of trying. Larson has finished 2nd in Kansas, 3rd at Bristol and Phoenix, and 4th, but beyond that, his season has been pretty rough.
Larson seems to be well aware of the talk surrounding his winless streak and admitted that it’s been a tricky season. While speaking to Motorsport.com, Larson talked about his current mindset regarding wins.
Larson said, “Obviously, I would have loved to have won to this point, but we just haven’t been good enough. I feel like at times, we’re really close to getting a win, and then at other times, I feel like we’re far from getting a win. I just kind of shows how tough this series is.”
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 14: Kyle Larson 88 JR Motorsports Hendrick Cars.com Chevrolet climbs out of his car and celebrates winning the race during the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA OReilly Auto Parts Series The LiUNA on March 14, 2026, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, NV. Photo Chris Williams/LVMS/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAR 14 NASCAR OReilly Auto Parts Series The LiUNA EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon007260140095
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 14: Kyle Larson 88 JR Motorsports Hendrick Cars.com Chevrolet climbs out of his car and celebrates winning the race during the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA OReilly Auto Parts Series The LiUNA on March 14, 2026, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, NV. Photo Chris Williams/LVMS/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAR 14 NASCAR OReilly Auto Parts Series The LiUNA EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon007260140095
In 12 races, Larson has picked up 332 points and currently sits 8th in the championship. The #5 HMS driver knows that he needs to be at least 5th going into the Chase to be a genuine contender this season.
What is more frustrating for Larson is that he remains winless despite leading the second-greatest number of laps, 499.
Larson said, “We’re working really hard… It’s not like we’re not trying to win. We’re just kind of searching of how to be better and sometimes maybe search too much and get off track a little bit.”
Earlier, Larson’s crew chief, Cliff Daniels, spoke about keeping emotions in check.
“We’re very aware that we haven’t won on a Sunday, and yes, the championship is one thing, but we haven’t taken the checkered flag in probably a calendar year by now…. I think more than ever, now we know that we can’t get emotional and sad,” Daniels said.
Elliott Leading HMS Chase Charge
While Kyle Larson searches for his first win, a different Hendrick Motorsports driver is making good ground heading towards The Chase. Currently sitting 3rd in the championship is Chase Elliott.
Elliott has picked up 422 points in what has been a solid season with 5 top fives and 7 top tens finishes in 12 races. Elliott’s wins in Martinsville and Texas make him the only driver with multiple race wins this season.
Elliott is just 16 points behind 2nd placed Denny Hamlin. He also holds a 110-point lead over his two-time champion teammate.
Larson has seen Elliott’s gains and will be hoping to close in.
“Chase has had a good start to the year, but the rest of us have been kind of off, so we’re still trying to work through it." Larson said.
Despite his disappointing streak, Larson isn't giving up. He simply pointed out that while he and others have made the sport look easy, it is quite a difficult skill to master.
"We’re just going to keep fighting. We’ve made this sport, the Cup Series, look easy at times, and I never thought it was, so I’m glad that we can show you that it’s not easy," Larson added.
You can read more on the Daytona Racing Digest!
Written by
Debrup Chaudhuri
Edited by
Arundhoti Palit