# HMS Crew Chief Laughs at Title Chaos

> HMS crew chief Cliff Daniels laughs off title panic after Kyle Larson’s Phoenix stumble.
- Title: HMS Crew Chief Laughs at Title Chaos · EssentiallySports
- Summary: HMS crew chief Cliff Daniels laughs off title panic after Kyle Larson’s Phoenix stumble. HMS crew chief Cliff Daniels says the team’s Phoenix race setback…
- Keywords: cliff daniels, kyle larson, hms, nascar, cup series, phoenix raceway, talladega, sports, Crew, Chief, Laughs, Title
- Source: EssentiallySports — https://essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-i-chuckle-every-time-we-crown-a-champion-hms-crew-chief-rebuffs-title-panic-lauding-kyle-larsons-phoenix-composure
- Author: Chionia Libania Colaco
- Published: 2026-10-19T16:55:48+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: cliff daniels, kyle larson, hms, nascar, cup series, phoenix raceway, talladega, sports
## Phoenix Race Setback
Kyle Larson dropped to 28th after a lap loss at Phoenix with three races left in the Cup Series season.

> i think it’s great
## Crew Chief’s Composure
Cliff Daniels says the team’s Phoenix race didn’t change their championship chances despite early struggles.

> i chuckle every time we try to crown a champion before the end of the year
## Title Chase Evolution
Daniels notes six to seven teams are now in contention with three races remaining for the championship.

> is it six or seven that are more in contention now
## Talladega Challenges
The team must adapt to fuel saving and pit-road timing at Talladega’s superspeedway next.

> there’s always going to be the balance of what you have to do to save fuel
## Larson’s Talladega History
Larson has never won at Talladega but finished second in April 2025.

> he did finish 2nd in april 2025
## Phoenix Recovery Plan
Daniels says the team will learn from Phoenix and focus on executing better at Talladega.

> we’ve got to learn from it, be tough, be strong
## Championship Confidence
Daniels believes the team can stay in the championship fight with three races remaining.

> we’re still up by just a little bit
## Key takeaway

HMS crew chief Cliff Daniels says the team’s Phoenix race setback won’t end their championship hopes after three races remain.