“It’s a privilege to be this far into the playoffs” – Larson

Kyle Larson has been here before and that's a good thing when it comes to being ready for the penultimate round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

Sunday marks the fourth time Larson has reached the round of 16 in the postseason. A driver who survives this round and advances will compete for a championship. A season's worth of work is at stake for a chance at the ultimate prize.

In other words, the stakes have never been higher. And that's why someone like Larson, who has been through this before, can acknowledge that while the Round of 16 feels different, it's easier to handle.

“I think the first couple of years I made it to the last eight, you felt the pressure a little bit, or you put more pressure on yourself, or whatever the case may be,” Larson said Saturday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. “After making it to the finals a few times, it calms the nerves a bit, at least for me. I think a lot of it just depends on the trust you have in the group of people around you. I feel the same as the other rounds before – I’m just looking forward to racing, looking forward to the opportunity.”

Larson reached the round of 8 for the first time in 2019. It was the furthest he had reached.

The next time he made the playoffs was in 2021. It wasn't just a deep run, it extended to the championship race. In his first year with Hendrick Motorsports, Larson dominated the series with ten wins and the championship driving the No. 5 Chevrolet. This was also the first time he made it to the Championship 4.

It was an early exit after the season in 2022. He was back at Phoenix Raceway last year with a shot at his second championship but finished second in the Chase.

“It’s a privilege to be this far into the playoffs,” Larson said. “Seeing all the hard work of the regular season and playoff races to get to this point where you’ve reached where you are in points. I’m ready to go and have a good time and hopefully we can perform at a high level and have a chance at a championship in a few weeks.”

Larson entered the postseason as the sports betting favorite to win the championship. He captured the regular season championship and leads the series with six wins. Of the Round of 8 drivers, Larson and Joey Logano are the only ones to win in the postseason. But Larson is once again in the lead in this category, having won two of the six playoff races.

In addition, he is also the defending champion in Las Vegas.