"Always do something different": Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson share their approach to changing lines at 1.5-mile tracks

Ahead of the South Point 400 race, Hendrick Motorsports shared a video of their Cup Series drivers' tips for conquering the 1.5-mile-long asphalt track. Three out of four HMS drivers are set to compete in the chase for the 2024 championship title at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

All four Rick Hendrick drivers initially advanced for the Round of 8 but a post-race inspection after the road course race at Charlotte Motor Speedway shattered Alex Bowman's hopes to run for championship. Nevertheless, the remaining three drivers have continued to shine with their performance even in the post-season. With Kyle Larson's dominant six-race victories this season and William Byon's three triumphs, the HMS drivers are gearing up for the first Round of 8 race in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In a recent Instagram video, Hendrick's star drivers were asked to share their secrets to mastering the 1.5-mile track. #5 Chevy driver Larson, who is the defending race winner of the Nevada track, said:

"It kind of varies on the track that you're at. Most about a half the lanes progress throughout the run, so you're always moving around a little bit every few laps or so."

The question was then posed to the 2020 Cup Series champion, Elliott. Here's what he stated:

"You're always going to do something different than the guy in front of you. If he's running your lane, you obviously are going to have to run somewhere else. You're always looking for fresh air regardless of where it is."

Furthermore, the 2024 Daytona 500 winner, Byron, had a similar response to the #9 Elliott.

"You change your line every lap really small things here and there, a couple feet here and there. It changes with the tire grip going away and you have to adapt to that," he said.

Meanwhile, #48 Bowman's approach to mastering the 1.5-mile track was moving around every lap.

"It's pretty track dependent and a lot of places we go we can move around quite a bit and you change your line really every lap trying to find the most speed you can," he said.

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"That team is on fire" - Jeff Gordon reacts to Kyle Larson's playoff performances

The 2021 Cup Series champion Kyle Larson has been a dominant force this season. Not only he has triumphed six times but also led the most number of laps in his 31 starts.

Following Larson's recent victory at Charlotte, Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman Jeff Gordon acknowledged the #5 team's potential as a strong contender for the championship this season. He said:

"It's all about trying to survive this round. You got Talladega, that's traditionally not been a great race for them, even the Roval has bit them a couple of times. So, to get through as well as they did at Talladega, as well as dominate at the Roval after the domination of Bristol, this next round I think aligns really, really well for all of our cars, but especially for Kyle. That team is on fire right now." [0:15]

As things stand, Larson has a comfortable 33-point lead over the playoff cutline and is at the top of the standings. His teammate Byron is just four points above the playoff bubble, while Elliott is positioned in seventh place in the playoff picture, nine points below the cutline.