Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson enters Sunday's eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway with a clear goal: ending a 42-race winless streak at a track where he holds the best multi-start average finish in history.
The NASCAR Cup Series returns to the D-shaped oval in Joliet, Illinois, for the first time since 2019, according to The Associated Press.
Larson built momentum after posting a quick lap during Friday's practice session, following a multi-day testing period at the venue in April.
"I felt like we learned a lot about our race car at the test that has benefited the four of us as we've moved on from it," said Larson, referring to teammates Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman.
He noted that while the extra laps provided confidence, the high skill level across the field means competitors will quickly find speed on the bumpy asphalt surface.
"So yeah, I think just extra laps here gives some confidence, but everybody's so good, they're going to get the speed fast," Larson said.
The 33-year-old former champion is seeking his first victory since winning at Kansas in May 2025.
Although he has secured five top-five finishes in his last six races this season, Larson previously recorded consecutive runner-up finishes at Chicagoland in 2018 and 2019, including a notable final-lap battle with the late Kyle Busch.
"It was a really neat battle and it's always fun to be a part of battles that still to this day get replayed, and I've been a part of a few," Larson said, reflecting on archival footage of the 2018 race.
Larson expressed a poignant sentiment regarding Busch, who passed away in May at the age of 41.
"So yeah, just wish he was here for obvious reasons and we could have another battle," he said.
In addition to chasing the race victory, Larson faces teammate William Byron this weekend in the second round of NASCAR's bracket-style In-Season Challenge, which awards a $1 million prize to the tournament winner.
"It would be fun to go heads up with William but it's really not something that you're too focused on in the race," Larson said.
He concluded by stating that his primary concentration remains on winning the race itself rather than focusing entirely on the bracket matchup.
"I think you're always just kind of focused on winning and if you win, I mean that takes care of it.
Yeah, as it gets closer to the race, I think you pay a little bit of attention to it, but I'm just trying to do a good job," Larson said.
