BROOKLYN, Mich. – Seeking his fourth consecutive Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win at Michigan International Speedway, Kyle Larson proclaimed Friday that he doesn’t feel Chevrolet and their new Camaro ZL1 are at a disadvantage, despite a ragged lack of performance overall from the other Chevrolet teams this season.
Chevrolet introduced the new ZL1 as the new body style for the start of the season, replacing the Chevrolet SS model. While the manufacturer stamped their new product in Victory Lane in the season-opening Daytona 500 with Austin Dillon, since then, however, the bowtie has struggled to make a second appearance in the winner’s circle.
Larson defended the Detroit-based manufacturer Friday stating that his No. 42 Chevrolet has been solid all year.
“I have never felt like Chevy’s have been at a disadvantage this year,” offered Larson. “Our team has been pretty solid every race. We are making our cars better every week. The guys in the shop are really excited about every car that we have been bringing to the race track because there are little things that have made them better each week.”
Larson is right, his No. 42 team has been solid. Four top-five and nine top-10 entering Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 is the best amongst the Chevrolet brigade. His teammate Jamie McMurray hasn’t been as successful this season – mounting just one top-five and two top-10s overall.
The Elk Grove, Calif. native is the lone Chevrolet driver inside the top-10 in championship points. Jimmie Johnson is 12th in the standings, three positions behind the 25-year-old sensation.
Larson suggested that the other Chevrolet teams may be making excuses for their performance, pointing the finger to Chevrolet’s new body style as the culprit – but his team won’t.
“I think some of the teams maybe just use it as an excuse where we don’t do that, added Larson. “So, yeah, I mean obviously I don’t think we are as fast as what we were at this point last year, but I don’t think we are that far off either.”
Larson believes in fact that his No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Chevrolet team may be equal when it comes to performance just past the halfway mark in the regular season – but says his team, including the engine department at Hendrick Motorsports are continuing to work hard to make his team stronger – especially when it counts the most, the post-season Playoffs.
“Honestly, I think maybe we are kind of where we were at last year, just other teams are a little bit better, So, yeah, that is exciting,” sounded Larson. “I feel like the engine department with Hendrick Engines I don’t feel like we are lacking there at all.
“They are doing a really good job, we just, I don’t know, we’ve just got to get probably some more downforce and overall performance and at least the No. 42 team will be right there competing for wins every week.”
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
