Column: Larson surges as others stumble in NASCAR playoffs
Kyle Larson (5) celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Larry Papke)

Kyle Larson (5) celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Larry Papke)

Oct. 17, 2021 06:31 PM EDT
Joey Logano, left, talks with a team member as his car sits parked on pit row during a rain delay of a NASCAR Cup series auto race Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, in Talladega, Ala. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Joey Logano, left, talks with a team member as his car sits parked on pit row during a rain delay of a NASCAR Cup series auto race Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, in Talladega, Ala. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Oct. 04, 2021 03:16 PM EDT
Kyle Busch (18), Denny Hamlin (11) and Chase Briscoe (14) race 3-wide during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Larry Papke)

Kyle Busch (18), Denny Hamlin (11) and Chase Briscoe (14) race 3-wide during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Larry Papke)

Oct. 17, 2021 04:31 PM EDT
Martin Truex Jr. (19) drives alongside Matt Dibenedetto (21) during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Larry Papke)

Martin Truex Jr. (19) drives alongside Matt Dibenedetto (21) during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Larry Papke)

Oct. 17, 2021 03:34 PM EDT