Kyle Larson Seeks First Win in 32 Races at Kansas

The defending Cup Series champion is winless since his last victory at Kansas nearly a year ago.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:56pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a NASCAR race at Kansas Speedway, with the cars and track broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.Larson's quest for his first win in over a year takes him back to the site of his last victory, as the defending champion seeks to end his winless streak.Bristol Today

NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson returns to Kansas Speedway this weekend, the site of his last race win nearly a year ago. Despite winning the championship in 2025, Larson has gone 32 races without a victory, though he has had six second-place and third-place finishes during that span.

Why it matters

Larson is considered one of the most talented drivers in NASCAR, with 32 career Cup victories. His inability to reach Victory Lane in over a year has become a talking point, even as he and his team remain focused on the process of improving and eventually breaking through for another win.

The details

Larson's crew chief, Cliff Daniels, says the team is "very aware" they haven't won in nearly a year, but they are trying to stay focused and not get emotional about the winless streak. The team made some changes to the pit crew and engineering staff in the offseason as they continue to adapt to NASCAR's new Next Gen car.

  • Larson's last win came at Kansas Speedway in May 2025.
  • Larson won the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship in November.

The players

Kyle Larson

The defending NASCAR Cup Series champion, who has 32 career Cup victories but hasn't won a race in 32 races.

Cliff Daniels

Larson's crew chief, who says the team is focused on the process of improving and eventually breaking through for another win.

Hendrick Motorsports

The team Larson drives for, which has made changes to the pit crew and engineering staff as they adapt to the new Next Gen car.

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What they’re saying

“It's kind of wild to think it's been almost a year since I've won because I don't feel like we're that bad. Ultimately, celebrating the championship in Phoenix felt like a win in a lot of ways.”

— Kyle Larson, NASCAR Cup Series Driver

“We're very aware that we haven't won on a Sunday. And yes, the championship is one thing, but we haven't taken the checkered flag in probably a calendar year by now.”

— Cliff Daniels, Crew Chief

What’s next

Larson and his team will look to end the winless streak this weekend at Kansas Speedway, where he last visited Victory Lane nearly a year ago.

The takeaway

Despite winning the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship, Larson's inability to reach Victory Lane in over a year has become a talking point, though he and his team remain focused on the process of improving and eventually breaking through for another win.