Kyle Larson's team resembles Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin comments

In the early stages of the 2026 Chase for the Championship, Kyle Larson and the Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 team appear reminiscent of the infamous No. 48 team that dominated NASCAR from 2006 to 2010. Despite beginning the season with a notable winless streak, Larson had been leading laps and accumulating the most stage points throughout the entire season, indicating that a powerful performance was anticipated as the Chase commenced.

Larson’s team mirrored the efforts of Jimmie Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus that propelled them to championship victories, as evidenced by their finishes of fifth, first, second, and first to start the 10-race playoff. After clinching victory at Kansas, Larson acknowledged the impressive achievements of Johnson and Knaus, stating, "What Jimmie and Chad were able to do for so long was super impressive... cliff is as close to Chad Knaus as you can get, and I’m happy to have him as our crew chief leading our team."

Invoking comparisons with Johnson’s legacy, Larson’s accomplishments are quickly approaching Hall of Fame status, already having secured two championships. This has raised questions about whether Larson may be positioned for a decade of dominance similar to that of Johnson and his team, a scenario that Denny Hamlin has noted he understands well. Hamlin previously led the regular season championship, but Johnson’s prowess during the 2010 season disrupted his success.

Hamlin humorously remarked on Larson’s strong performance thus far, acknowledging, "Yeah, I mean he’s got the points lead and is definitely in control when he got it," while also pointing out that his team was currently competitive. He stated, "We have finished right where we run every race. There’s a few where maybe we finished a little better than what we were."

Despite Larson enjoying a 26-point lead over Hamlin, he maintains a humble view regarding perceptions of favoritism, emphasizing that a single race can significantly impact standings. "There’s still six races left, and I only have a 26-point lead on Denny. That could be swallowed up in a hurry," Larson explained, underscoring the volatility of the sport. He continued, "...I’m just really trying to do the best job I can, again."

The competition remains fierce among the leading drivers, with the backdrop of the playoff highlighting that the race for the championship is far from over. Each team is keenly aware that victories are now crucial if they hope to climb back into contention.