Kyle Larson looked unstoppable early in 2025, building momentum toward a regular season championship run. Then his second attempt at The Double arrived, and everything fell apart.<\/p>\n
What followed has been two months of struggle that rank among the toughest of his NASCAR<\/a> career, leaving the Hendrick Motorsports driver\u00a0searching for answers as he heads into Dover.<\/p>\n Kyle Larson Speaks Out on His Ongoing Slump<\/p>\n Following his disappointing attempt at the Indy 500, Larson\u2019s troubles carried over to the Cup Series that same day when he crashed out of the Coca-Cola 600. The 2021 Cup Series champion had been running strong through 245 laps before getting caught up in a multi-car incident that ended his race early.<\/p>\n Since that moment, the Hendrick Motorsports driver has struggled to recapture the form that had put him at the top of the regular season championship standings. The slump has been so severe that Larson didn\u2019t hesitate to address it directly during his media availability on Saturday.<\/p>\n Speaking to the media<\/a>, the No. 5 driver admitted this stretch has tested him like no other period in his Cup Series career, even dating back to his pre-Hendrick days.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s as tough of a two months that I can remember having, even before Hendrick. It\u2019s been a challenge to stay motivated through it all, but we\u2019re competitors and we love competing and being better. I think that\u2019s what has kept us positive.\u201d<\/p>\n Kyle Larson wins #\ud835\udddd\ud835\udde2\ud835\uddde\ud835\uddd8\ud835\udde5\ud835\udde6\ud835\udddd\ud835\uddd4\ud835\uddd6\ud835\uddde\ud835\udde3\ud835\udde2\ud835\udde7<\/a> at @EldoraSpeedway<\/a>. pic.twitter.com\/mTJkOMYoV9<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 DB3 INC (@DB3Inc) July 18, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Can Dover Provide the Turnaround Larson Needs?<\/p>\n As Larson prepares for the Dover race weekend, he\u2019s finding some comfort in returning to oval racing. The 32-year-old driver expressed optimism about his prospects at the track, drawing confidence from his previous success there.<\/p>\n Adding to his positive outlook, Larson arrives at Dover with fresh winning momentum from his dirt track exploits. He captured the $100,000 prize<\/a> at Eldora Speedway\u2019s Joker\u2019s Jackpot event in the Kubota High Limit Racing series on Thursday, a series he co-owns with his brother-in-law.<\/p>\n The following day brought more action as the soon-to-be 33-year-old competed in the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint race, finishing third.<\/p>\n However, the race wasn\u2019t without drama, as Larson found himself in a heated late-race battle with David Gravel that continued after the checkered flag. Both drivers exchanged words and were subsequently called to the command center following the event.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf9 @DIRTVision<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe can keep playing that game\u201d \ud83d\udc40@KyleLarsonRacin<\/a> & @DavidGravel<\/a> waged war for third tonight at @EldoraSpeedway<\/a>, and tempers were hot after the checkered. pic.twitter.com\/PmINjccPfE<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 World of Outlaws (@WorldofOutlaws) July 19, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n For Sunday\u2019s Dover race, Larson will start from 25th position after weather disrupted the weekend schedule. Rain washed out both practice and qualifying sessions, forcing NASCAR to set the starting grid using their two-factor qualifying metric.<\/p>\n