Kyle Larson will be as dangerous — and unpredictable — as ever in 2025

The best way to describe Kyle Larson’s driving style? Polarizing. 

The 32-year-old NASCAR champion only has one speed. That one speed has led to both champagne showers and torn-up cars. 

Take Larson’s recent runs at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, for example: After locking himself into the 2023 Cup Series Championship 4 with a victory in Las Vegas, Larson had everything to gain and nothing to lose in South Florida. While attempting to draw even with race leader Ryan Blaney on a late pit stop, Larson stepped over the line that separates aggression from over-aggression, sending one of the fastest cars of the day into the sand barrels at the entrance of pit road. 

In 2024, Larson was still trying to earn his Championship 4 spot when the Cup Series ventured to Homestead-Miami. After clawing his back through the field following an early setback, Larson found himself once more racing Blaney for the win. 

Unfortunately, Larson once more stepped ever so slightly over the aforementioned invisible line that separates aggression from over-aggression. Larson’s attempt to squeeze between Blaney and a lapped car resulted in a spin and a 13th-place finish. 

After what was an undoubtedly disappointing end to a 2024 season in which Larson led the Cup Series in wins, don’t expect the 2021 champ to change his ways as he tries to get back to Phoenix. 

After Larson opted to run the delayed 2024 Indianapolis 500 and missed the Coca-Cola 600 on May 26, rumors swirled regarding whether or not NASCAR would grant Larson a waiver to compete in the postseason. Needless to say, Larson was the most famous man in the media center when the Cup Series rolled into St. Louis the following week. 

Surrounded by reporters on the morning of June 1, Larson was asked if NASCAR’s impending decision regarding his postseason eligibility would change the way he and his team approached the rest of the season. His answer was short and sweet.

“No,” Larson told Yardbarker. 

That response should tell you everything you need to know about a driver whose speed occasionally overtakes logic and reason. The good news for Larson and the No. 5 team? That same speed wins them a lot of races. 

As seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt once said when asked about his physicality and aggression behind the wheel, “A lot of times it turns out bad, but a lot of times you win races too.” 

Going into 2025, there’s no reason to think Larson won’t be a frequent visitor to Victory Lane. One of the biggest reasons for Larson’s status as a perennial contender? Crew chief Cliff Daniels, a man whose motivational speeches could rival the likes of Winston Churchill and Teddy Roosevelt. 

Larson and Daniels’ dynamic as a driver-crew chief duo is only bolstered by the caliber of vehicle they have to work with on a weekly basis, which is, of course, the best Hendrick Motorsports has to offer. 

All of these traits give Larson about as good of a shot as any driver can have in a wild playoff format to take home his second championship. 

Whether or not Larson takes home the title, it’s all but guaranteed Larson’s aggressive driving style and knockout speed will result in several trips to Victory Lane in 2025. 

Larson will be searching for his third Championship 4 appearance in five seasons since joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2021. 

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.