NASCAR champion Kyle Larson isn't surprised by 'aggressive' racing under Chase format

NASCAR star Kyle Larson says that the aggressive racing in the Cup Series this season has not surprised him, despite the sport changing its championship format.

Ahead of the 2026 season, NASCAR confirmed that it had scrapped the playoffs after years of criticism from fans and drivers, instead returning to 'The Chase'.

The Chase now puts more importance on the regular season and consistency, with win and you're in having been ditched, and the post-season field set to be determined solely on points.

Ahead of the campaign, many speculated that this could eliminate a lot of the wrecks and hard racing that we have seen in recent years, with drivers less desperate to get a win that would see them qualify for the playoffs.

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Kyle Larson on Cup Series racing in The Chase era

Speaking ahead of Sunday's action at Kansas Speedway, where he finished second to race winner Tyler Reddick, Larson revealed he didn't think that would be the case, and that the Cup Series remains as aggressive as ever.

“I would say nothing's been surprising to me," Larson said on racing under the new championship format.

"I didn't think that the racing would really change heading into this season. And I would say, being out on the track, it doesn't seem any different either.

"Guys are still really aggressive. Guys are going hard for stage points, as always, and race finishes.

"So, yeah, I don't know what it looks like on TV, but I think it's like the same old racing.”

Kyle Larson's 2026 stats and results

So far this season, Larson has made a strong start, although he is yet to get that first victory under his belt.

His best finish of the year came at Kansas on Sunday, but he also has a total of three top-three finishes after strong results earlier in the year at Bristol and Phoenix, too.

In total, Larson's 2026 record stands at nine races, six top-10s, and three top-threes. That leaves the driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet fifth in the Cup Series standings heading to Talladega.