Crashes are woven into the very fabric of NASCAR-sometimes spectacular, sometimes tragic, always unforgettable. From the infamous “Big Ones” at Talladega and Daytona, where more than 20 cars can be wiped out in a single pileup, to the heart-stopping final-lap collision that claimed Dale Earnhardt’s life at the 2001 Daytona 500, the sport’s history is marked by moments that test both machinery and human spirit.

Wrecks have shaped NASCAR’s evolution, driving advances in safety and resilience. Kyle Larson, too, isn’t a stranger to the harsh realities of racing. Crashes have become more frequent for many drivers, including him, as competition intensifies. The question is, how do the sport’s best rebound after such violent setbacks? For Larson, regaining his “mojo” after a crash is as much about mental reset as it is about physical recovery.

Kyle Larson explains his secret to bouncing back after crashes

Kyle Larson delivered a masterclass at Kansas Speedway, dominating the 2025 AdventHealth 400 for his third NASCAR Cup Series win of the season. Starting from pole, Larson led 221 of 267 laps, swept both stages, and crossed the finish line 0.712 seconds ahead of Christopher Bell, cementing his place atop the points standings and tying Dale Jarrett for 29th on the all-time Cup victory list.

But the focus during the post-race conference quickly shifted from Larson’s dominant win to his remarkable ability to rebound from adversity when veteran NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass asked, “Nothing really seems to bother you or get under your skin too much, why is that?” The question cut to the heart of Larson’s reputation for mental toughness, especially after a string of recent crashes across different racing series. And Larson played with him, saying, “I don’t know, maybe I’ve hit stuff enough, I have a short memory. My memory’s faded, but uh, I don’t know.” But after this funny remark, he came forward to answer the question truthfully.

As Kyle Larson revealed, “I do think it’s because I race a lot, I’m guessing I would say that’s a big part of me Being able to move on quickly from things, whether it’s a good race or a bad race or you know a wreck or good result, bad result, whatever.” In 2025 alone, he’s shown this resilience across a dizzying variety of series with varying results. Take the Cup Series, for example. The #5 HMS driver started with a 20th-place finish at Daytona but followed with a 3rd place result at Atlanta. Next, COTA proved to be a disappointing outing with a 32nd-place finish. But Larson followed it with a podium place at Phoenix. This clearly shows that he has mastered the mental reset. But he also broke down the conditions under which negative things could nail into the mind.

“Mistakes on track obviously, though if it happens multiple times in a row, it can kind of linger a little bit longer. But you know, more so just hurt your confidence a little bit, but um yeah, I don’t know, I think I just race a lot. So, it probably helps,” Kyle Larson said. We indeed see him stand by his words! His High-Limits wreck on Friday, during the Hasty Bake Kansas City Clash at Lakeside Speedway, was intense. Larson was caught in a wild, multi-car crash when Kerry Madsen spun, collecting Larson and Brad Sweet. His car was heavily damaged, and he finished 24th. Just weeks earlier, during Indy 500 open testing, he pancaked the wall in Turn 1 and then slammed the Turn 2 barrier after his car got tight, ending his session early but escaping uninjured. But, with his win today, Yung Money proved that he does not let setbacks throw him off focus. But what does have to be so strong-headed?

Kyle Larson’s secret weapon is his ability to compartmentalize results (good or bad) and refocus instantly. This is what sets him apart in today’s high-pressure racing landscape. Whether it’s the Cup Series, sprint cars, or the Indy 500, his mindset remains remarkably consistent. As the season intensifies, will Larson’s mental edge continue to be his greatest weapon on the path to a championship?

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How innovations help drivers like Kyle Larson be safe and bounce back

Kyle Larson’s ability to rebound from violent crashes is a testament not only to his mental toughness but also to the dramatic safety improvements NASCAR has implemented over the past two decades. As Larson and his peers continue to push the limits at speeds exceeding 200 mph, the sport’s commitment to driver safety has never been more critical-or more advanced. The turning point for NASCAR safety came after the tragic death of Dale Earnhardt at the 2001 Daytona 500. This event sparked a sweeping overhaul of safety protocols. Primarily, it led to the introduction of the HANS device, mandatory full-face helmets, and improved seat belt systems.

NASCAR also established a dedicated research and development center to study crashes and engineer safer cars and equipment. One of the most significant innovations was the SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) barrier, which replaced concrete walls at tracks and dramatically reduced the forces drivers experience during impacts. Recent years have seen even more targeted improvements, particularly in response to high-profile accidents like the 2023 Talladega crash involving Kyle Larson and Ryan Preece. NASCAR responded by softening the front bumper and front clip of the Next Gen car. They also strengthened the center passenger section and added steel plating to the right-side door bars to prevent intrusion during side impacts.

Engineers also analyze crash data from black boxes in every car. They use real-world impacts to refine car design and safety features further. These changes are designed to increase the car’s ability to absorb energy and reduce the acceleration forces transmitted to the driver during a crash. Thanks to these innovations, NASCAR has not recorded a driver fatality in its top three series in over a decade. As technology and crash data analysis continue to evolve, NASCAR remains committed to making racing safer, allowing drivers like Larson to walk away from even the most terrifying wrecks and get back behind the wheel with confidence.