Who is the best race car driver? This has been a raging debate for decades, with multiple drivers looking to stake their claim as the greatest driver. However, the torch is now in the hands of modern-era auto racers like Kyle Larson and Max Verstappen, both of whom are dominating in their particular discipline. But who has the claim to the title of the best race car driver among the two?

Now it’s hard to judge and pick between the two, as Kyle Larson competes in NASCAR while Max Verstappen leads the charge in Formula 1. Open-wheel and stock car racing isn’t exactly an apples-to-apples comparison, making the pick between the two ever so hard. However, the Hendrick Motorsports star just might edge over the F1 star thanks to his supernatural ability to compete in different disciplines of racing.

Kyle Larson fancies his chances going up against Max Verstappen

The debate is rather subjective on who is a better race car driver between the two. Americans certainly won’t mind handing this title to Larson, but race fans in Europe might feel differently about it. But it is indeed hard to see Verstappen ace the sprint car or stock car racing. On the other hand, Larson can pretty much guide himself to victory regardless of the equipment.

Larson does have a Cup Series title, Crown Jewel wins in NASCAR, and multiple Sprint Car and Dirt Car racing victories to his name. The most recent one came at Knoxville Nationals, a crown jewel in the Sprint Car racing world. Kyle Larson, after the event, was asked if he would race Verstappen to see if he was the best race car driver in the world. And guess what he said?

“I know in my mind I am better than him as an all-around driver.” Now it’s difficult to expect something so bold from Larson, but it is what it is.

“There’s no way (Verstappen) can get into a Sprint Car and win the Knoxville Nationals. There’s no way he can go win the Chili Bowl. There’s no way he can go win a Cup race at Bristol. There’s probably no way I can go win a Formula 1 race at Monaco, but I think I’d have a better shot at him.” Larson said this via Floracing.

Larson did try his hands to conquer open-wheel racing’s highest honor, the Indy 500. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to deliver the goods and had to settle for 18th in the race. Therefore, he conceded his chances against the Dutch speedster in an open-wheel contest. “Maybe not in an open-wheel IndyCar or Formula 1 car, but that’s one discipline. I think I would beat him in everything else. You can quote that.” He added.

He did return to the hallowed grounds of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to conquer his first Brickyard 400 win. And he just might have lined up a redemption at his Indy 500 run for next year.

A second chance at his Indy 500 dream?

The HMS star’s first Indy 500 attempt was far from ideal. The race was delayed by four hours, and he was forced to ditch to start the Coca-Cola 600 race. Despite his gamble to stay at Indy, he could only manage a P18 finish after being penalized for speeding on the pit road. He did return to his Cup car in a bid to finish the race, but once again the weather played spoilsport and completely washed out his plans for a successful double attempt.

But he did redeem himself by winning the NASCAR Cup Series race at the Brickyard. It was a rather emotional moment for the driver, and during the post-race interview, he let slip his desire to return to the racetrack next year in the open-wheel race car. “I love you Indiana fans, and I know you love me too. How about we come back next May and try to kiss these bricks in the Indy Car?”

If Kyle Larson does win the Indy 500 in 2025, the debate over the best race car driver would tilt in his favor, whether the F1 fans like it or not.