Larson says Ganassi's NASCAR penalties complimentary of its pace

NASCAR has been tougher on technical infractions this year, tightening its inspection process before qualifying sessions and issuing more post-race penalties.

Larson missed qualifying at Kentucky Speedway earlier this month because his Chevrolet did not get through the inspection process in time.

He then raced up from the back to second before a brake duct infringement led to a 35-point deduction and a three-week suspension for crew chief Chad Johnston.

At New Hampshire Motor Speedway last weekend Larson's pole was disallowed as the dimensions of the 'shark fin' on the rear of his car were outside the regulations. He again came from the back to second in the race.

"I think with how fast we've been running and all that, NASCAR has kept a closer eye on our team in particular," Larson said.

"What was going on with the shark fin wasn't anything different really than the other teams tinker with, just trying to maximise their aero performance in their cars.

"We just got in trouble for it, so had to go to the back.

"The little stuff that we got in trouble for so far hasn't seemed to affect the performance.

"We've just got to keep working hard on the areas of our race car that are legal and find some more speed that way.

"It seems like we have a target on our back. But that's a good thing, too.

"It means everybody is paying attention to us.

"This is my fourth year, and I've never been in the position where NASCAR and other teams are paying so much attention to our race car.

"That's a compliment to everybody at our race shop."

Having reached second at New Hampshire, Larson was closing on leader Denny Hamlin but found his car's handling going off.

"It seemed like when I got kind of close there, within four or five car lengths at the end, my lap times kind of evened off a little bit with him," said Larson.

"I started getting too tight on exit, and I couldn't carry the speed on exit like I needed to.

"I'd gain a lot on him on entry, but I couldn't keep the power down and keep the front turning on exit there that last run."

Despite his recent penalties, Larson remains second in the championship behind Martin Truex Jr and has the equal third-highest tally of playoff points - tied with Brad Keselowski behind Truex and Jimmie Johnson.