Chevrolet NCS at Sonoma: Kyle Larson’s 2025 Media Session Spills the Beans

Imagine you’re chilling in California’s wine country, the sun beating down, and the roar of NASCAR engines revving up at Sonoma Raceway. The Toyota/Save Mart 350 is about to kick off, and all eyes are on Kyle Larson, the hometown kid driving the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. His media session before the 2025 race was like a backstage pass to his brain—full of juicy details about the track, his game plan, and the vibe he’s feeling. Whether you’re a NASCAR newbie or a lifelong fan, this article’s got the lowdown on what Larson said and why it matters.

I’ve been hooked on NASCAR for years, and Larson’s always a blast to follow. In this post, I’m breaking down his羮his media chat to share his thoughts on Sonoma, his rivals, and his 2025 season. Plus, you’ll get a taste of the fan energy that makes Sonoma special. Ready to dive in? Let’s roll!

Why Sonoma Raceway Gets Larson Pumped

Sonoma Raceway’s a beast of a track—1.99 miles of tight turns and hills that make drivers sweat. Larson, who grew up just down the road in Elk Grove, California, can’t get enough of this place. Here’s what he had to say about it.

Sonoma’s Tricky Layout and New Twists

Larson’s all smiles when he talks about his home track. “Man, it’s awesome racing so close to home,” he said, grinning. But this year’s July race means hotter weather and a slicker track. “The pavement’s gonna be slippery this time,” he warned. That means drivers need to be extra sharp to keep their cars from sliding.

Larson’s Sonoma Swagger

Larson’s a rockstar at Sonoma. He’s won twice (2021 and 2024) and grabbed four poles, starting super high up—3.8 average starting spot, best in the game. Last year, he charged from 23rd to win, which is like stealing the show at the last second. “We’ve been killers here. I’m hoping we can match Jeff Gordon’s pole record,” he said, dreaming of Gordon’s five Sonoma poles.

What’s He Thinking for Race Day?

Larson’s pumped but knows it won’t be easy. “We’ve got a good shot, but it’s a tough crowd,” he told reporters. With Hendrick Motorsports’ eight Sonoma wins and 10 poles, he’s got the tools to shine, but he’s bracing for a fight.

How Larson’s Team Plans to Win

Road courses like Sonoma aren’t like ovals—it’s all about brains over brawn. Larson and his Hendrick crew have been putting in work to make sure they’re ready.

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Pit Stops That Can Change Everything

At Sonoma, one bad pit stop can tank your race. Larson said he watches the Xfinity race like a hawk to pick up tricks. “You see how guys hit corners or sneak past others. Even how they roll into pit road matters,” he explained. Those little moves are what separate the podium from the pack.

Hendrick’s Prep Work

Hendrick Motorsports is a NASCAR dynasty, and they’re not slacking for Sonoma. Larson’s been glued to the simulator, practicing every turn. “We’ve been grinding, figuring out gears and angles,” he said. They’re tweaking the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevy to grip that slick July track just right.

Testing the Car in Practice

Larson kept it vague on car setup but sounded chill after practice runs. “Once we got going, the track felt solid,” he said. That’s a good sign the team’s got the car dialed in for Sunday’s showdown.

Larson’s Take on His 2025 Season

Larson’s 2025 season has been a wild ride—some big wins, some tough days. He opened up about where he’s at and where he’s headed.

How He’s Stacking Up

Larson’s sitting third in the points, just 19 markers behind teammate William Byron. With three wins and nine top-fives, he’s having his best season yet. “I’m stoked with how we’re running,” he said. His 11 top-10s lead the pack, and his 23 playoff points make him a playoff favorite.

Rough Patches He’s Faced

Not every race has been a party. Larson had a rough go in Chicago, finishing 13th. “I was way off the pace there,” he admitted. But he’s the type to learn from it and come back stronger for Sonoma.

What’s Next for 2025

Larson’s got his eyes on another championship trophy. “That 2021 title was unreal. I’m chasing that high again,” he said. With the playoffs coming, he’s all about stacking wins and keeping his cool.

Who Larson’s Watching in the Race

Sonoma’s got a stacked lineup, and Larson knows he’s in for a battle. Here’s who he’s got on his radar.

The Big Dogs to Beat

Larson gave a shoutout to Shane van Gisbergen, the road course king. “SVG’s a beast out there,” he said. With SVG starting on pole, Larson knows he’s the guy to chase, though he hopes Sonoma’s old-school layout tightens the gap.

Surprise Names in the Mix

Don’t count out Chase Elliott, Larson’s teammate with seven road course wins. “Our team’s been on point this year,” Larson said. Ty Dillon’s also turning heads after a strong In-Season Challenge run, so he could shake things up.

How Confident Is He?

Starting 11th isn’t perfect, but Larson’s not sweating it. “SVG’s probably the fastest, but we’ll give him a run,” he said with a smirk. With his Sonoma history, he’s got the skills to climb the leaderboard.

Why Fans Make Sonoma Special

Sonoma’s not just about racing—it’s a whole vibe. Larson loves the crowd and shared some cool fan moments.

The Crowd’s Energy

“Racing at home’s the best,” Larson said. “My friends and family are out there cheering.” The July race brings a big Napa Valley crowd, and the wine country setting makes it a fan favorite.

Fan Stories That Stick

Larson’s doing something awesome—auctioning off race-worn visors to help the Urban Youth Racing School. “All 26 Team Chevy drivers are in on it. It’s gonna raise some serious cash,” he said. Fans can bid through Pristine Auction until June 12, 2025.

How Fans Fire Him Up

The crowd’s cheers get Larson going. “It’d be cool to see fans on the frontstretch after the race,” he said, hinting NASCAR could make post-race moments bigger. That energy pushes him to drive harder.

What Went Down in the Media Session

As the media session wrapped, Larson left everyone hyped for race day. Here’s the final scoop.

Larson’s Last Words

“I’m ready for Sunday. Racing in Napa in July’s gonna be a blast,” Larson said, all smiles. He’s itching to add another Sonoma win to his name.

What Reporters Thought

The media ate up Larson’s honesty and his props to SVG. One outlet pointed out his killer 3.8 average starting spot at Sonoma, cementing his road course cred. Fans and reporters are buzzing about his chances.

His Vibe and Mindset

Larson was laid-back but locked in, joking around but dead serious about winning. He’s got faith in his team and respects the competition, but he’s ready to fight for the top spot.

Wrapping It Up

Kyle Larson’s media session before the Chevrolet NCS at Sonoma was like a pit stop for fans—full of insights on the track, his rivals, and his 2025 season. From his love for his home race to his plan to chase down Shane van Gisbergen, Larson’s set to light up the Toyota/Save Mart 350 on July 13, 2025. Tune in at 3:30 p.m. ET on TNT Sports to see if he can grab another Sonoma win. Who do you think takes the checkered flag? Drop your picks in the comments, and check out our NASCAR race guides for more action!

People Also Ask

Why’s Sonoma Raceway so hard for drivers?

Sonoma’s got tight turns and elevation shifts that demand precision. The July 2025 heat makes the track slick, so drivers need to stay sharp.

How’s Kyle Larson done at Sonoma?

Larson’s a stud here—two wins (2021, 2024) and four poles, with a 3.8 average starting spot. He’s a road course king.

Who’s got the edge at Sonoma in 2025?

Shane van Gisbergen’s the favorite from pole, but Larson and Chase Elliott are right there. Ty Dillon might surprise everyone.

How can I back Larson’s charity?

Bid on race-worn visors from Larson and Team Chevy at Pristine Auction through June 12, 2025. It supports the Urban Youth Racing School.