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FONTANA, Calif. — Kyle Larson carried his 2-year-old son Owen into the Auto Club Speedway Media Center on Friday afternoon, minutes after winning the pole position for Sunday’s Auto Club 400. Young father and young son were smiling, interacting, just enjoying the together time on stage — Larson thoughtfully answering reporters’ questions, Owen playfully leaning into the microphone to add his own toddler commentary.
Life is especially good like that when you’re leading the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series standings.
For the first time in his four-year Monster Energy Series career, the 24-year old Californian Larson tops the championship standings, assuming the lead last week at Phoenix after scoring his third consecutive runner-up finish — just in time for his return home.
It’s not only a career milestone for Larson, but also marks the first time his No. 42 Target Chevrolet Chip Ganassi Racing team has been Numero Uno since retired Ganassi driver Sterling Marlin held the point in 2002.
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“I know I’ve won a handful of championships throughout my racing, but I’ve never been one to be a points racer or be as consistent as I’ve been,” Larson said. “Going into this year I made it a goal of mine to be more consistent and make fewer mistakes. It’s only been four races, but we have been off to a good start on limiting our mistakes and running up front. That has helped put ourselves in position to win each race this season.
“Just been really proud of everybody on our race team and happy with kind of how I’ve been performing. Been trying to work a little bit harder this year and it seems to all be paying off.”
Sunday’s starting spot is Larson’s second career pole position — the last came at Pocono in his 2014 rookie season — and leading the field to the green flag this week feels appropriate considering Larson’s current place in the standings. And … he won Saturday’s XFINITY Series race for the second time.
“I think it’s really cool to see,” Elliott said. “I’ve enjoyed racing with those guys throughout the season. I can’t speak for them. But for me, I’ve just tried to take what I learned last year and improve on that and do some things better.
“I think the big thing is we all really have fast cars to drive right now, and that sure does make it a lot easier to run up front and contend and be there each week. Just having fast cars makes it a lot easier.”
Sunday’s starting grid certainly reflects the sport’s youth movement with Larson on point, Elliott starting 13th alongside 21-year old rookie Erik Jones, and Ryan Blaney rolling off 19th.
Elliott led final practice. Blaney, Jones and Larson were third, forth and fifth quickest. Jones had the fastest 10-lap average of the weekend and led second practice.
It’s really cool to see kind of the future of the sport and them all running up front,” Larson said. “I’m sure NASCAR is really happy about that and it’s fun to race with all of them on the race track because I feel like we’ve all gotten a little bit added aggression and excitement. So yeah, personality-wise the young guys are all pretty fun.”
Fun seems to be the word of the moment for Larson. He’s enjoying himself and setting the pace — a perfect racing combination.
“Everybody is so good in this series that a lot comes down to how good your race cars are and how well your race team performs,” Larson said, smiling. “We have kind of got it all going on right now. It’s pretty cool to show up to the race track. I know Jamie [Ganassi teammate McMurray] and I are both having a blast right now.”