KYLE LARSON
CREW CHIEF: Chris Heroy (2014-15), Chad Johnston (2016)
TEAM: Chip Ganassi Racing
POINTS: 19th
WINS: 0
TOP 5s: 2
TOP 10s: 10
LAPS LED: 115
POLES: 0
WHAT WENT RIGHT: Larson struggled in his sophomore season as a full-time Sprint Cup season. Highlights were few and far between: started and finished third in the spring race at Dover, finished fifth in season-ending race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. … Came close several times to earning his first career Sprint Cup win, but failed to seal the deal. … Improved his per-race starting average to 13.3 in 2015 after 15.6 starting average in 2014. … Total 2015 winnings: $5,092,490.
WHAT WENT WRONG: After winning Sunoco Rookie of the Year in 2014 (eight top-5s, 17 top-10s, 1 pole), Larson was a picture of inconsistency in 2015. His most telling stat was a 19.3 average finish per race. … Just 23 lead-lap finishes, compared to 28 in 2014. … Had 5 DNFs compared to 4 in 2014. … Missed one race (spring at Martinsville) after suffering feinting spell and subsequent hospitalization.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2016: With a new crew chief and heading into his third full-time season, it’s time for Larson to start delivering on some of the high expectations fans and his own team have for him. … The biggest need is his first career Sprint Cup win, which would be a huge confidence boost to him as well as his team.
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