Kyle Larson doesn't just show up to Xfinity races to trophy hunt. That’s the common narrative, right? The "big leaguer" dropping down to beat up on the kids. But if you actually watch how the Kyle Larson NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule plays out, it's way more technical than that. It’s basically a high-speed laboratory.
Larson already has two Cup championships under his belt, including his most recent 2025 title at Phoenix where he snatched the win in overtime. He doesn't need more Xfinity trophies. Honestly, he’s got 17 of them already. But in 2026, you'll still see him climbing into that No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevy for a handful of starts. Why? Because the Xfinity car is a completely different beast than the Next Gen Cup car, and Larson thinks driving "loose" equipment makes him better on Sundays.
The Massive Tech Gap Nobody Mentions
Most fans think an Xfinity car is just a slightly slower Cup car. That is dead wrong. Since the Cup Series moved to the Next Gen platform, the two vehicles share almost zero DNA.
The Xfinity car is a throwback. It still uses a 105-inch wheelbase, which is five inches shorter than the Cup car. It still has a four-speed H-pattern shifter. If you look under the hood, it’s still running a carburetor—something the Cup Series ditched over a decade ago. While the Cup cars have independent rear suspension and massive 18-inch aluminum wheels with a single lug nut, the Xfinity ride is still bouncing around on old-school truck arms and 15-inch steel wheels with five lugs.
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Why a Champion Still Wants This
You’ve gotta wonder why a guy who just won the 2025 Cup title wants to go back to "primitive" tech. Larson has been vocal about how the Xfinity car requires more "finesse." Because the cars are narrower and taller, they're inherently less stable. They side-force differently. When Larson runs a race like the Andy's Frozen Custard 300 at Texas or dominates at Bristol, he's recalibrating his hands for a car that actually wants to spin out.
The Hendrick No. 17 Program
Hendrick Motorsports doesn't run a full-time Xfinity team anymore. They haven't since the early 2000s. Instead, they run the No. 17 as a "Part-Time All-Star" car. In 2025, we saw a revolving door of talent. Larson won at Bristol in April, putting on an absolute clinic. Then you had guys like William Byron taking a turn, and even the 19-year-old phenom Corey Day making 11 starts to get his feet wet.
The 2026 season looks to follow a similar blueprint. Larson usually picks the tracks where he wants the extra "seat time"—usually the high-wear surfaces or technical road courses.
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Recent Xfinity Performance Stats
- Total Career Wins: 17
- 2025 Standout: Won at Bristol Motor Speedway in April.
- Poles: 8 career Xfinity poles (though he often starts at the back due to practice/qualifying schedules).
- Average Finish: Usually top 5, unless he's involved in someone else's mess.
Is "Buschwhacking" Hurting the Sport?
There’s always a segment of the fanbase that hates seeing Larson in an Xfinity field. They call it "Buschwhacking." The argument is that he takes away spots and TV time from the series regulars.
But look at the 2025 Indianapolis practice. Larson set a top-five speed in the Xfinity car while the Cup practice got rained out. The younger guys in the field, like Connor Zilisch or Nick Sanchez, actually want him there. If you can beat Kyle Larson on a Saturday, your stock triples overnight. He’s the benchmark. If he’s not in the race, you’re just winning a B-main.
What to Watch for in 2026
If you're tracking the Kyle Larson NASCAR Xfinity Series appearances this year, keep an eye on the "double" weekends. Larson is addicted to racing. He’s already won the 2026 Chili Bowl opening night in Tulsa, and he’s still looking at IndyCar possibilities.
For his Xfinity starts, look for him at:
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- Darlington: The "Lady in Black" rewards the rim-riding style Larson perfected on dirt.
- Bristol: He’s the defending race winner here and led over 400 laps in the Cup race last fall.
- Homestead-Miami: He won the Truck race here in 2025 after spinning out and coming back through the field. He treats the Xfinity race here as a warm-up for the Cup high-line.
The reality is that Larson uses these races to find the "limit" of the track. If he hits the wall on Saturday in an Xfinity car, he knows exactly where the edge is for Sunday. It’s not just about the trophy; it’s about the data.
Making the Most of the Larson Schedule
If you're a bettor or a fantasy player, you basically have to pick Larson when he’s in the field. But watch the practice times. Sometimes the Hendrick team uses these Xfinity starts to test radical engine setups or aero packages that might not be fully "dialed in" yet. He isn't always the fastest on lap one, but by the third stage, he’s almost always the guy to beat.
To stay ahead, follow the entry lists released every Monday afternoon. If the No. 17 is on there with Larson's name, the entire dynamic of the race changes. You can also monitor the "Performance Index" from sources like Racing Insights, which often shows how much faster the Hendrick cars are on restarts compared to the Xfinity regulars.
Check the official NASCAR schedule updates frequently, as "Late Entry" additions are common for Larson depending on his dirt track commitments or IndyCar testing. Also, pay attention to the tire compounds—often, the Xfinity series uses a slightly harder tire than Cup, which forces Larson to search for grip in places other drivers are too scared to go.