NASCAR takeaways: Did Kyle Larson get his 'swagger' back at Gateway?

Digest these words from a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, and watch out. This could be bad news for 15 other drivers in the 2026 Chase.

“I feel like we got our swagger back a little bit,” Kyle Larson said.

For the first time in 490 days, he steered into Victory Lane after the Enjoy Illinois 300 on Sept. 13. His triumph ended a 51-race winless streak.

It came on a chaotic day at World Wide Technology Raceway that concluded with a one-two Hendrick Motorsports finish for Larson and Alex Bowman in double overtime.

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Before Sunday, Larson’s last victory had occurred on May 11, 2025, at Kansas Speedway. He, of course, went on to capture the Cup Series title, but he did it with consistently solid showings, and a dash of good fortune in Phoenix, rather than first-place trophies.

But this was a Larson performance the NASCAR world has come to expect.

He led 80 laps at Gateway, second to only Joey Logano’s 96. Logano placed third.

“I had a good feeling, but you never know,” Larson said. “I felt like this place is so weird with the brake rotor failures, strategy, all that. Just proud of my team for working so hard and being so patient through all the tough times and the winless streak and all of that. Thanks to the fans, my fans, for also being patient with us. Glad to get it figured out.”

Larson now owns 33 career victories. He now sits second in the Chase standings behind Denny Hamlin.

William Byron also joined Larson and Bowman’s party, grabbing fourth place in the best performance for Hendrick Motorsports in months. Chase Elliott was the only teammate outside the top five. He exited early and settled into 31st.

Previously, Elliott was the only Hendrick driver with a win this season. Chevrolet had also not been to Victory Lane since Shane van Gisbergen’s big day at Sonoma in late June.

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NASCAR threw 19 caution flags across the last three races before Gateway. But the track near St. Louis tried to surpass the total from Darlington, Daytona and New Hampshire by itself.

The Enjoy Illinois 300 saw 18 yellows, tying the record for most in the stage racing era (since 2017).

Overtime was needed after Chris Buescher’s brake rotor exploded, a common problem Sunday, with three laps left in regulation. SVG spun during the first OT attempt. Larson stayed in front through both.

The all-time Cup Series high mark for cautions remains the 2005 Coke 600, which required 22 yellow flags.

The Cup Series drivers won’t have to wait a full week to pound the pavement again.

For the third time in six weeks, they will climb into the cockpit for a Saturday event, running the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Cars will turn 500 laps around the 0.533-mile oval, resulting in 266.5 miles. The race is the third leg of the 10-week Chase.

It will begin a few minutes after 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 19 and air on USA Network.

Ty Gibbs won NASCAR’s first trip to Bristol this year. It was his first big-league victory.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR takeaways: Did Kyle Larson get his ‘swagger’ back at Gateway?

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