“We were really bad on Friday”: Despite dominating at North Wilkesboro, Kyle Larson had no ‘great expectations’ to win

NASCAR's return to the North Wilkesboro Speedway witnessed Kyle Larson dominate the short track, as he swept both the Truck and Cup Series races in the All-Star weekend. However, in Larson's own words, his start to the weekend was 'really bad'.

Kyle Larson struggled for pace in the Cup Series practice session on Friday followed by a disastrous outing in the heat race on Saturday. After a slow start to the weekend, Larson was not expecting a good result for the #5 team.

The #5 Hendrick Motorsports driver described his weekend in the post-race press conference.

"Friday we were really bad," he said. "I mean, yes, I ran the fast lap in practice, but if you look at the 30-lap average, I was like second to last. We were really bad on Friday."

"Saturday we were really bad in the heat race, as well," he continued. "I was super loose in the heat race, like loose everywhere, no grip. So I had not great expectations for tonight. I just didn't think there was enough that they could do to make me better. I thought we'd run around 15th tonight."

Starting the All-Star Race in 16th position, it was an eventful evening for Kyle Larson. The #5 driver sped through the pit lane, which dropped him to the rear of the field.

Larson found his stride after the restart as he picked up the pace, overtaking a handful of cars in a few laps. He sliced through the field to take the lead and then went on to win the race in dominant fashion.

The 2021 Cup Series champion took home the $1 million check, winning his third career All-Star Race.

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Kyle Larson sheds light on his blistering pace in the All-Star Race

Kyle Larson and his #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet emerged as a formidable combination in the All-Star Race. No Cup Series driver had an answer to Larson's pace, as he blazed through the field and then extended his lead in the front.

The #5 driver credited his Chevrolet for the speed and the unique racing line that he discovered in the Truck Series race.

He elaborated in the press conference:

"I think a strong suit of mine was my car was good enough. I could roll in with a lot of speed. I could kind of check up my center of 3 and 4 and drive off really low off of 4."

"That was a line that I had kind of found in the truck race, and I didn't think that it would work in the Cup car as well as it did, and it seemed even better in the Cup car for me. I think that helped me. I don't know if that helped save my tires any or not, but I do think that low exit was where I could beat people."

The Hendrick Motorsports driver capped off another dominant weekend, having already won two races this season.