“More Thought Behind This Than the Chase”—Kyle Larson Reveals Unorthodox Marathon Regimen Fueling Championship Bid

For much of the 2026 season, Kyle Larson had little reason to feel comfortable about his title defense. The No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet went winless through the regular season, and Larson entered The Chase seventh, 55 points behind Denny Hamlin. Nine races later, he has turned that deficit into a 70-point advantage over the same rival. The turnaround has come through speed and execution, but his approach to the pressure has also changed.