In a single day, Kyle Larson won a series title and put a giant foot in his mouth. The 2021 Cup Series champion qualified for the Round 0f 8 playoffs after the Bank of America Roval 400 last weekend. While the Championship 4 race is still three weeks away, what did the Hendrick Motorsports ace win?

The sprint car racing virtuoso has simultaneously competed in the first-ever season of the High Limit Sprint Car Racing Series. This phenomenal achievement would have ordinarily earned accolades from the racing community. Instead, Larson exposed himself to fans’ ire by retracing Tony Stewart‘s contentious steps.

Hendrick Motorsports hails its #5 driver for maiden championship victory

Kyle Larson has made no secret of his fondness for dirt and sprint racing. Rick Hendrick‘s ace might have an overflowing schedule with his Cup Series commitments, but he insisted upon incorporating varied formats in his contract. He firmly believes in the inalienable requirement of sprint racing in the development and enhancement of a driver’s skills. So much so that Larson himself launched a sprint car racing series at the beginning of the year.

Competing in his own series did not raise eyebrows initially, given the versatile driver’s fondness. But Kyle Larson’s sprint car championship, named High Limit Racing and comprising 12 races, might have defeated the purpose of conceptualizing it. Larson had stressed the need to promote sprint car racing in a manner that is financially viable for its drivers.

For that purpose, Kyle Larson had scheduled mid-week races to avoid a clash with the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series. Moreover, he had invested a considerable amount in the event to raise the prize money over and above what is provided in existing sprint car racing challenges.

Surpassing the standard $10,000 WoO amount, Larson’s High Limit series offered a minimum of $23,023 as the prize money, with a few races awarding $50,000 as well. And Larson not just won a race, but the championship itself! In these circumstances, a successful Cup star collecting the awards and recognition that could have transformed the career of a local sprint racer did not sit well with the ever-watchful fandom.

When Hendrick Motorsports lauded their driver’s achievement, posting, “Congratulations to @KyleLarsonRacin on winning the inaugural @HighLimitRacing title,” one racing enthusiast promptly observed the inescapable irony.

Soon enough, the racing community drew parallels with veteran driver and NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart.

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Kyle Larson suffers fans’ scorn for seeking inspiration from Tony Stewart

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Four-time Cup Series champion Tony Stewart ventured into his own racing series in 2021. The Superstar Racing Experience or SRX was formulated keeping in mind aspiring NASCAR racers as well as retired veterans on shorter tracks. Just like Kyle Larson, the competing owner Stewart won the inaugural title in 2021.

Fans were quick to draw a comparison between the events in their mockery of the Hendrick Motorsports driver.
“Tony Stewart has entered the chat with SRX”
“The new Tony Stewart.”
“*cough* tony Stewart *cough*”

The self-congratulatory aspect of Larson’s sprint race title was also not missed. One racing fan amusingly highlighted it using the viral meme of former President Barrack Obama.

Humor aside, the racing community would certainly hope other sprint car racers would benefit from Kyle Larson’s passion project in the years to come.

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