Kyle Larson made some pointed comments regarding NASCAR’s Championship format that ends in a winner take all race at Phoenix.

Speaking with Larry McReynolds on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Larson was asked about what he and his crew chief Cliff Daniels discussed on how they could have done better during the NASCAR Playoffs that saw them come up short advancing to the Championship four.

Larson answered, “Even if you make the final four nobody was going to beat the Penske cars at Phoenix. I’m confident that we can make the final four every year we race the car. I know we didn’t make it last year, but we had some just unfortunate luck in the round of 8 or whatever. But still even if I make the final four I’m going to finish fourth in points. For me and for really all of Hendrick Motorsports and I’m sure every team besides Penske and probably even Penske is like, ‘Alright, how do we get better at Phoenix?’ That’s kind of where my mindset is at.

“Like I said I’m confident that we can get to that race, but once you’re in that race are you going to be good enough to win? We’re putting a lot of emphasis on it. I’m excited to go there next week and see if we’re any better. It sounds like our setup will be a little different and so far it looks pretty good, I guess, in the simulator. So, yeah, we’ll see,” he concluded.

Larson made similar comments while speaking with Bob Pockrass back at the end of January. He was asked if he would be good with winning six races every year, but not winning a championship. He replied, “If I didn’t have a championship already I would say, ‘No, I wouldn’t be good with that.’ But I think having a championship already allowed me to get over it more so this past season.”

He then commented on the format, “The format’s really difficult and when it comes down to just one race at the end you know there’s an opportunity that can happen. I think we can win 20 races in a year and still not win the championship. And I wouldn’t be surprised just because the Penske cars are just so dominant at Phoenix. If nothing changes any time a Penske car makes the final four at Phoenix they’re going to have the best opportunity to win, currently.”

With the decision of no changes to the championship format, I figured good time to post this clip from our FOX production days last week … I asked Kyle Larson if he would take six wins a year even if he doesn’t win another championship. This was his response: @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/WqDRSQDtkC

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 28, 2025

What do you make of Larson’s comments about the playoff format?

NEXT: Austin Cindric Shares Details Of Phone Call With Kyle Larson After Getting Wrecked At Atlanta