“They’ll be good”: Kyle Larson placing trust in Hendrick Motorsports depth after NASCAR penalty to pit crew

Despite a lackluster showdown by the pit crew at Texas Motor Speedway, Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson has established trust in the team's capabilities as he will work with a new pit crew for the next two races.

The ninth contention of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series calendar saw a caution-riddled race across the 1.5-mile oval. Chase Elliott broke his 42-race winless streak after leading 39 laps in his #9 Chevy and emerging victorious after advancing from the final lap double overtime to the checkered flag.

His teammate Kyle Larson's #5 Chevy led the pack, but on Lap 116, as the Californian radioed in to inform about feeling the wheel going loose in the rear, the Goodyear compound exited the car and the HMS driver lost his 77-lap lead. Larson served a two-lap penalty from the incident and finished in a horrid P21 spot.

Furthermore, NASCAR has issued a two-race punishment to rear tire changer Calvin Teague and jackman Brandon Johnson, who will miss the Talladega Superspeedway and Dover International Speedway races. During an interview with Frontstretch, ahead of the GEICO 500, Larson expressed trust in the crew's capabilities.

Speaking on having three different crew members this week, Larson said, via Frontstretch (02:18):

"I don't think there's anything that I do differently. I just try to be consistent, hitting my marks and all that. I don't think like I need to change up anything and I don't really think they should."

He added:

"This week just not being too flashy and lay down solid consistent stop. That's my goal and I know they'll be good."

---

Kyle Larson's Talladega qualifying run has been called off by NASCAR

The GEICO 500 will flag off tomorrow at 3.00 PM ET and will mark the 110th race hosted by the 2.66-mile oval. For the second time this season, Michael McDowell will be the polesitter after bagging the fastest time of 52.609 seconds.

After claiming three consecutive pole starts, Kyle Larson eyed another dominant kickoff in the 188-lap run, but NASCAR officials noticed some irregularities with the #5 Chevrolet Camaro.

It turned out that the officials discovered unauthorized modifications made to the roof rails of the HMS driver's car, following which the machine was ordered to be taken back into the garage for further inspection. It means that Larson will start his run from the back of the pack.