In the quaint city of Elk Grove, California, back in 1999, a spark was ignited that would blaze into an enduring passion. Fast forward more than two decades and that passion for racing still burns fiercely. With a flourishing career in the upper echelons of stock car racing, seeing the Hendrick Motorsports star, Kyle Larson, take on the dirt track has become a familiar sight. What was even more commonplace was witnessing him in Victory Lane since the age of 14, working his way through a diverse field of race cars, earning him the fitting name Kyle “Wheelman” Larson.

As the NASCAR postseason roars into full swing, Larson is gearing up for another thrilling appearance on the dirt, his eyes fixed on a staggering prize money that promises to swell his well-lined pockets. 

The dirt track maestro set to return to his roots

Larson’s love affair with sprint car racing began right here at Placerville Speedway in 2007, in his debut season, where he claimed his very first victory on this hallowed track. The El Dorado County Fairgrounds holds a special place in Larson’s heart, for it was here that he clinched his Golden State KWS-NARC Series title in 2010, marking a pivotal moment in his burgeoning career.

Nestled within the picturesque El Dorado County Fairgrounds, Placerville Speedway is revving up for an exhilarating season finale. Fans are eagerly awaiting the spectacle of the “Hangtown 100,” with Larson’s return to the sprint car cockpit as he aims for a ride to victory lane, chasing the enticing $20,000 first prize and a $12,000 championship payout for the points winner.

As the anticipation builds for the Hangtown 100, fans are reminded of Larson’s previous triumphs on this very soil. In 2019, during the inaugural Hangtown 100, Larson delivered a captivating performance, clinching victory not only in the thrilling 100-lap feature but also securing the overall points championship.

The 31-year-old’s meteoric rise in the world of dirt track racing has been nothing short of extraordinary. The 2021 champion has etched his name into the annals of racing history by winning some of the sport’s most prestigious events, including the Chili Bowl, Kings Royal, Prairie Dirt Classic, and the Knoxville Nationals. His dominance extends beyond Placerville, as he has conquered dirt tracks across the nation, leaving an indelible mark with victories at iconic races like the Ironman 55 in Missouri, the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup in Pennsylvania, and the Brad Doty Classic at Attica Raceway, among many others.

As per Speedsport, Placerville Speedway Promoter Scott Russell commented on Larson’s entry, “We are delighted to have Kyle Larson in the field at the Hangtown 100 once again. Kyle grew up racing around Northern California and is one of the biggest fan favorites that we have out here, so it will be great to have him on hand. What he has done so far in his career is amazing and it’s special that he continues to have such a passion for dirt track racing.” 

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Notably, Larson’s journey to dual-track success wasn’t initially approved by his boss. In a recent conversation with Dale Jr., Larson shared how he transformed HMS’s philosophy, paving the way for this unique opportunity to shine on both asphalt and dirt tracks.

How Larson’s triumphs transformed Hendrick Motorsports’ racing philosophy

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For an extended period, the mastermind behind Hendrick Motorsports, Rick Hendrick, enforced a stringent driver policy that staunchly forbade his drivers from engaging in any form of racing beyond the Cup Series. It wasn’t merely a prohibition on venturing beyond the NASCAR realm; it was a resolute embargo on any racing-related diversions. However, the tides of tradition began to recede during the remarkable 2021 season when Larson joined the HMS stable and promptly secured a championship for the team.

This watershed moment signaled a transformation in Hendrick‘s perspective. The No. 5 driver had already demonstrated his prowess on diverse track surfaces. In his maiden season donning the Hendrick Motorsports colors, he not only clinched the coveted Cup Series Championship but also continued to dominate the gritty world of dirt racing, amassing victories in multiple prestigious events.

Nonetheless, the transition from staunch conservatism to newfound openness came with its share of challenges. In a recent live exchange with the Hall of Famer, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Larson recounted the nerve-wracking episode of persuading Rick Hendrick to greenlight his participation in various dirt racing series.

Larson stated, “It’s easy for me to get to, thank the Hendrick Motorsports, it’s very accommodating too with my schedule and knowing that these races are really important to me and my brand and all that. Yeah, that was the number one goal. It was for me to run all these and it’s gone well.”

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With the playoffs round of 12 finale on the horizon, Larson sits just 2 points above the cut line. As the Hangtown event approaches, it is to see what Larson has in store.