Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Larson
In 2014 Kyle Larson burst onto the scene. In 2015 Larson hasn’t made much of a splash at all. Some people hate to use the term Sophomore slump when it comes to a rookie underperforming in their second season but in the case of Larson that appears to be what it is.
In 2014 Larson just missed the NASCAR chase while posting eight top-five finishes and an average finishing position of 14th. During 2014 Larson also came close to winning twice. Through 16 races in 2015 (remember he missed a race) Larson has only one top-five finish. The more troubling part of his season though is that his average finish in those 16 races is 19.5.
If the chase were to begin today Larson would not be involved in it. Larson currently sits 70 points behind the last chase spot and that’s assuming that Kyle Busch doesn’t move into the top-30 in points and take that spot away. If he does than the spot that Larson is chasing would be 77 points away at the moment.
For Larson the next nine races need to be top-15 efforts with some top-five’s sprinkled in. If Larson can finish in the top-15 for the next nine races he should gain enough points to make the chase.