Is the Chase now Larson's to lose?

Kyle Larson is tearing through the Chase so far. Larson and his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports team have not only won two of the four postseason races and hold the points lead, but have also been incredibly consistent. With his latest triumph on Sunday at Kansas Speedway, Larson’s average finish improved to 2.25. In four races, he has not finished worse than fifth.

Or, for those keeping track, his finishes have been fifth, first, second, and first.

The reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion had a perfect 76-point day and increased his lead on Denny Hamlin. The gap is now 26 points going into Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“No,” laughed Larson, about the Chase now being his to lose. “No, there are still six races, and I only have a 26-point lead on Denny. That could be swallowed up in a hurry. I scored 76 points today, and Denny could have a max-points day next week, and I could blow an engine like Noah [Gragson] in the first stage, and I’m down 70-something points right there. So, no, I don’t look at it like that.

“I’m really just trying to do the best job I can. Yeah, just show up to the racetrack and block out all that stuff.”

Larson not only extended his lead on Hamlin, but also on everyone behind him. The gap between Larson and the sixth-place driver in the standings, Ty Gibbs, is now 94 points. A week ago, the seventh-place driver in the standings was only 61 points back.

The biggest loser coming out of Kansas was Tyler Reddick and his 23XI Racing team. Reddick remains seventh in the standings, but is now 111 points behind. He had entered the weekend 61 points out of the lead.

Other drivers who lost ground were Carson Hocevar, who fell three spots, and Chase Elliott, who dropped yet another spot.

Here are the Chase standings after the fourth race:

1. Kyle Larson

2. Denny Hamlin – 26

3. Christopher Bell – 50

4. Joey Logano – 67

5. Ryan Blaney – 91

6. Ty Gibbs – 94

7. Tyler Reddick – 111

8. Chase Briscoe – 123

9. Austin Cindric – 140

10. Bubba Wallace – 140

11. Carson Hocevar – 150

12. William Byron – 158

13. Chase Elliott – 161

14. Ryan Preece – 173

15. Chris Buescher – 186

16. Daniel Suarez – 187

Las Vegas Motor Speedway will mark the halfway point of the Chase. Hamlin won at the facility in the spring and is the defending fall event winner. The last five winners at Las Vegas have been Hamlin, Josh Berry, Joey Logano, and Larson.