Kyle Larson Exclusive: "We're Not Done At Two" – Defending Champion Ready For The Chase's Return

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Kyle Larson, the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, is entering the 2026 season with undiminished ambition and a clear focus on adding to his legacy.

Fresh off his second title in 2025—secured in a dramatic fashion at Phoenix Raceway—the Hendrick Motorsports driver remains one of the most dominant forces in the sport. In an exclusive interview with NASCAR Roundtable, Larson opened up about his mindset heading into the new year, his quest for the Daytona 500, and how he's adapting to significant changes in NASCAR's format and schedule.

Larson, now a two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion following his triumphs in 2021 and 2025, made it abundantly clear that complacency has no place in his world. "Hopefully there’s more (championships) in the future and we’re not done at two," he said. "But it’s tough to win one, let alone two, so we’re proud of it, but once you get two I don’t think you wanna stop."

This relentless pursuit mirrors the approach of legendary coaches like Nick Saban, who treated each season as a fresh challenge. Larson echoed that philosophy: "We don’t live in the past too much in our sport. You kind of quickly forget what you’ve done in the past and look forward and look ahead to the present to what you need to do to be good."

The immediate priority for Larson as the 2026 season kicks off is conquering the Daytona 500, the iconic "Great American Race" that has eluded him despite strong showings in the past. Entering Sunday's event, his strategy revolves around precision and patience rather than raw speed alone.

"Good fuel savings, positioning yourself in the right place at the right time, executing the green flag stops and cycles—all the little details that go into being upfront to contend at the end of the race," he explained.

For a driver known for his versatility across ovals, road courses, and dirt, finally checking off the Daytona 500 would be a monumental addition to his resume.

The 2026 season presents unique hurdles and opportunities. NASCAR has reinstated "The Chase" format after years of the elimination-style playoffs, shifting emphasis back toward full-season consistency while still rewarding strong performances in a 10-race postseason that begins at Darlington and culminates at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

For Larson, this marks his first title defense under the revived Chase, adding a layer of intrigue as drivers adapt to the new points structure and seeding based on regular-season results.

Adding to the excitement are three notable additions to the regular-season schedule: the return of Chicagoland Speedway (July 5), the debut of the San Diego Street Race on the Coronado naval base circuit (June 21), and North Wilkesboro Speedway hosting its first points-paying Cup race since 1996 (July 19).

These changes replace venues like the Chicago street course and introduce fresh challenges, from high-speed ovals to tight street layouts. Yet Larson remains unfazed by the shifts. No matter the track or the format, one thing for Larson that hasn’t changed is his drive to compete.

"I think more than anything getting back out racing every week, gelling with your team and teammates and trying to do a good job."

Beyond the competition, Larson cherishes the personal side of success. His wife Katelyn and their three children provide unwavering support, though family commitments mean they attend fewer races now.

The championship celebration at Phoenix in 2025 stands out as particularly meaningful: "Anytime you can celebrate with your friends and family, it’s extra special. Having them there at Phoenix to win the championship was a cool moment, pictures and videos and stuff you’ll get to cherish forever."

Looking ahead, Larson's goals for 2026 are straightforward yet ambitious: run upfront consistently, contend for wins, and position himself for another championship run in the Chase.

While he avoids pinning a specific win total, he stresses the importance of reliability and smart racing in the new format. Consistency, he believes, will be the key to unlocking more hardware with his Hendrick Motorsports team.

As the green flag drops on what promises to be a transformative year, Kyle Larson's blend of talent, focus, and humility positions him as the driver to beat.

With new tracks, a classic postseason format, and unfinished business at Daytona, 2026 could very well add another chapter to his already illustrious career.