Kyle Larson's first Cup year as 'exciting' as it gets

“I didn’t know 100 percent if he needed that spot that I was in,” Larson said between practices at Homestead-Miami Speedway last weekend.

“I got loose off (Turn) 2 and they said he had a run and I thought well, he might try something crazy, so I left him a lane and I don’t know if I should have done that and he was able to get to me and hit me.

“Anybody would have been upset, but I got over it pretty quick because I knew what was at stake. That was a very important spot for him to get.”

What Larson himself considers his defining moment may surprise. It’s not the blazing runner-up finish at Auto Club Speedway in his native California in March — only five races into the schedule. And it’s not even his runner-up showings in New Hampshire and Kansas during the Chase.

“The best feeling I had this year was probably when I finished fourth at Watkins Glen, (New York),” Larson said, taking a moment to mentally rewind and really think through the question.

“I didn’t grow up racing on road courses and I struggled really bad the whole practice and qualifying that weekend. So then to end up fourth, which was way, way better than I thought I was going to be — I was super pumped up about that.”

The fact that Larson had so many good performances in the No. 42 Target Chevrolet to choose from is not lost on the young talent. Neither is the fact that few picked him to win the 2014 Sunoco Rookie of the Year title before the season started.

The Elk Grove, California native didn’t come from a racing pedigree, nor had he won a NASCAR development series title. Larson earned his seat showing natural talent and the can’t-miss potential that have made him one of NASCAR’s biggest young stars in only one full season in the Cup ranks.

Like his racing heroes Gordon and Tony Stewart, he came up through the open-wheel ranks of sprint cars and midgets. Team owner Chip Ganassi signed the NASCAR Drive for Diversity grad and Larson realized this was his big opportunity to make it in stock cars.

He delivered with two pole positions, three runner-up finishes among his eight top-five showings and his 17 top-10s was more than eight of the 16 Chase drivers.

“Really to start the year everyone thought I was going to fail,” Larson said. “At least three-quarters of the people sitting in the media center probably did. Then I think they realized after the first handful of races that our team was capable of running well and the bar got raised and raised more throughout the year.

“My expectations going into the start of the season were top-15 every week would be great and that quickly turned into wanting top-10s every week and lately top-fives and wins are the goal.”

And he’s not the only one who expects great things of the No. 42 team. And expects them soon. The opinion shifting began early and earnestly. The bar has only risen.

“I feel we could win every week,” Larson said with a big grin. “I think (teammate) Jamie (McMurray) feels the same way, all our guys feel that way and Chip definitely feels that way, so his expectations are a lot higher.

“That’s good though. It’s nice coming to the race track every week and knowing your car is going to be fast. In years past, this team maybe hasn’t felt like that every week, but now they’re in a good spot and I’m definitely glad I got in here when I did.”

Larson continued, “The best thing to happen to me is being with a really good team that’s excited to have a new driver.

“I think we’re capable enough with more experience and good tracks at the beginning of the year that I’d like to get a win early in the season and know you’re going to be in the Chase. … and then you don’t have to stress out every other race.”

Before he suits back up, however, Larson’s amazing year will get even better.

He and longtime girlfriend Katelyn Sweet are expecting their first child in late December, a son they will name Owen Miyata — the middle name a nod to Larson’s Japanese roots. Miyata is Larson’s mom Janet’s maiden name and giving it to Owen ensures it will carry on in the family.

“As much as I’ve had a blast racing, I can’t wait for the offseason for all the exciting things coming, the baby, the new house — we just finally stayed in it one night this week,” Larson said, clearly enjoying the anticipation.

Moving in is exciting. Just ask @Katelyn_Sweet pic.twitter.com/DUnX6SaeON

— Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) November 19, 2014

“There’s been a ton that’s happened and it’s all been great stuff. I’ve had great years results-wise, but the baby, the house, first year in Cup probably never been a year as exciting as this.”

MORE: