Larson shrugs off early title-clinch chances: ‘You never know how it’s going to go’

Kyle Larson and his crew chief Cliff Daniels know the job isn't done in the NASCAR Cup Series championship, and they'll treat Sunday no differently than any other race.

Granted, the Hendrick Motorsports group could potentially clinch the title given their 73-point advantage. But they aren’t looking at the math or approaching things differently with the title on the line. In fact, Larson and Daniels seem to be counting on things going down to the wire.

Larson said Saturday that the mindset is to continue “to do what we have been doing here throughout the Chase – executing at a really good level and having a solid day from start to finish. That’s the hope. You never know how it’s going to go. Obviously, there are some really good drivers here, so I don’t anticipate clinching anything.

“I just want to have a good day and not give up too much before next week.”

NASCAR puts Larson’s odds of clinching the title a week early at 36.8%. Larson needs to earn 59 points by the end of the day.

“Our game plan hasn’t changed a lot the last handful of weeks, even with the ups and downs, and I think that that’s probably true for all (the contending crew chiefs),” said Daniels. “We’ve all seen, and we’re all very aware of how quickly the points can swing, so every week you’ve just got to be focused on maximizing your day and whatever that’s going to take. This is certainly a race where the (No.) 11 (Denny Hamlin) could go lead all 500 laps, and we’ve still got to have a strong day, so our game plan really hasn’t changed much.”

Hamlin is Larson’s closest rival, trailing by those 73 points. Seven drivers are still mathematically eligible for the championship: Larson, Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, and Tyler Reddick. Any driver who is 77 points or more behind the leader after Sunday’s race will be eliminated.

Larson's unlikely victory a week ago at Talladega Superspeedway has the competition on the ropes. It was Larson’s third win in eight Chase races.

“It is tough not to look at that (the points) and see what could be done this weekend,” Larson said. “But I think what our team does really well is staying focused on what you have to do to prepare a good race car, have good pit practice, and for myself, studying and being ready for the race. So, not being too relaxed, but also trying not to put too much pressure on yourself either.

“I really think that is what has pushed us through the Chase, through the season, and other seasons in the past. Just try to stay true to who we are and go have a good day like we have been having.”