CONCORD, N.C. -- Kyle Larson has notched a win at Richmond Raceway once in his NASCAR Cup Series career but still is wary of the .75-mile track.
The driver of the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE indicated the track is a hit-or-miss venue for him. However, he said he has full faith that the No. 5 team will help guide him at the track and take care of his car.
“I’m excited to get to Richmond this weekend,” Larson said. “It’s a track where we’ve gotten a win in the past and it’s a track where I’ve had some solid runs, then some average finishes, as well. It’s kind of an up-and-down track for me but I’m confident we’ll be really good in our Hendrick Motorsports car there this weekend.”
Aside from Larson’s 2017 win at the Virginia track, he has two top-five finishes and five top-10s in the Cup Series. He’s also finished seventh or better in five of his last starts at the venue.
Along with his solid performances at Richmond, Larson has had a stellar start to the 2021 season. He already as a win under his belt after he took the checkered flag at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and has four top-five results and six top-10s with 379 laps led through eight races this year.
“We’ve been really strong at every racetrack this year, so I’m definitely optimistic about going to Richmond,” Larson said. “It’s a place where you really got to take care of your tires. It’s easy to abuse your front tires and you hurt your center on the corner. You also got to take care of your rear tires on exit; it’s a worn-out surface. (It’s) hard on your stuff but you got to be patient with everything and have some good restarts.”
Larson expects to use his team’s strategy on pit road to help garner a top result, as well. The No. 5 pit crew ranks fifth among Cup crews for the fastest four-tire pit stop time (13.81 seconds).
“Pit road is a place where you can gain a lot of spots, too,” Larson said. “Our pit crew has been doing an amazing job this year and I expect it to be the same this weekend. (I’m) excited to get there and, hopefully, challenge for another win."
The drivers will start their engines at Richmond Raceway on Sunday, April 18 for the ninth race of the 2021 season. The event will begin at 3 p.m. ET and be broadcast of FOX.