SONOMA, Calif. — Don’t look now, but NASCAR may have finally found its next superstar.
His name is Kyle Larson, and after a few seasons punctuated by alternative moments of great potential and profound struggle, the 24-year-old Elk Grove, California, native is having a breakout season.
Larson heads into Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway (1:30 p.m. ET, FS1) as the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series points leader on the strength of two race wins, five second-place finishes, seven top fives and 712 laps led.
If the Cup playoffs began tomorrow, Larson would be one of three heavy favorites to become the 2017 series champion, the other two being Jimmie Johnson and Martin Truex Jr.