NASCAR News: Kyle Larson Shocked by Pocono Penalty – ‘He Didn’t Push It’

Kyle Larson’s recent performance at the Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway was met with unexpected challenges, culminating in a 13th-place finish largely affected by a controversial pit lane speeding penalty. Larson now trails the drivers’ standings, three points behind Chase Elliott after 21 races.

The Pocono pit lane penalty was a major blow to Larson’s campaign. Facing a critical phase of the championship with just five races remaining, Larson described the penalty as an unfortunate surprise. He commented, as quoted by Essentially Sports:

“I’m not sure yet. I’ll have to talk to the team about it, I guess. I think so, maybe Section 7 is different than it used to be. It’s a bit of a shame, just because I didn’t push. I didn’t push beyond our maximum. Like I never thought I’d go too fast.”

Larson revealed the impact the penalty had on his race strategy and potential outcome, adding:

“So when they came on the radio and said we were going to push it, I was surprised. So yeah, it’s just unfortunate that you don’t know how the race is going. You’re going to re-launch the leader there, clean air is very important here. I don’t know if I would have won but obviously I would have finished better than 13th. It’s unfortunate but that’s how it is.”

With the playoffs fast approaching, every race and every point becomes critical. Penalties, particularly in Section 7, have sparked discussion and speculation within the NASCAR community about potential speed measurement issues, perhaps hinting at broader technical recalibrations that may be needed.

As Larson looks to rebound, he’s also keeping a close eye on his competitors, including Tyler Reddick, who is quietly rising.

“(Reddick) surprised me where he’s at right now because I feel like he’s been quiet, which is weird for Tyler Reddick. I was surprised (because) before Chicago, I looked and I was like, ‘Man, he’s really in range.’ I’ve been so focused the last four or five weeks on No. 9 (Chase Elliott) and No. 11 (Denny Hamlin), and then I was like, ‘Wow, he could easily steal this thing.’”

Great American Getaway 400 Results at Pocono Raceway

1. Ryan Blaney, #12 Team Penske Ford
2. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
3. Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
4. William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
5. Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
6. Tyler Reddick, Toyota No. 45 23XI Racing
7. Brad Keselowski, Ford No. 6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing
8. Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
9. Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
10. Bubba Wallace, Toyota No. 23 23XI Racing
11. Chris Buescher, No. 17 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
12. Christopher Bell, Toyota No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing
13. Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
14. Erik Jones, Legacy Motor Club No. 43 Toyota
15. Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing No. 14 Ford
16. Daniel Suarez, #99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
17. Carson Hocevar, #77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
18. Austin Cindric, No. 2 of Team Penske Ford
19. Corey Lajoie, No. 7 Chevrolet of Spire Motorsports
20. Josh Berry, #4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
21. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
22. Justin Haley, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet
23. Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet #3
24. Michael McDowell, No. 34 Ford Motorsports, front row
25. Daniel Hemric, No. 31 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
26. Cody Ware, No. 15 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet
27. Ty Gibbs, Toyota No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing
28. John Hunter Nemechek, Legacy Motor Club No. 42 Toyota
29. Zane Smith, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
30. Ryan Preece, No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
31. Harrison Burton, Ford No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing
32. Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
33. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet
34. Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Ford Motorsports, front row
35. JJ Yeley, #44 Chevrolet of NY Racing
36. Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing No. 1 Chevrolet
37. Noah Gragson, #10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford