The Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 team has firmly established their playoff presence, thanks to a resounding victory at the recent playoff opener in Darlington and a strong showing at Kansas. Kyle Larson’s exceptional on-track performances are not the only highlight; he has also been making a significant impact off the track.
Recently, Larson was spotted at a fundraising event dedicated to supporting children’s causes. His participation in such charitable endeavors continues to amplify his positive influence beyond racing. In an interview during the event, Larson didn’t mince any words when discussing the harsh realities of the sport. True to his family persona, he openly supported his wife’s statements about the NASCAR races.
Kyle Larson voices concerns in the wake of the Daytona crash
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HMS superstar Kyle Larson, who is a father of three, recently lent his support to Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. His involvement in a fundraising event showcased his deep commitment to this cause, which hits close to home as a parent. Larson’s mission to spread awareness took him to the Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
During the fundraiser interview, Larson opened up about the challenges of racing and the impact it has on his family, shedding light on a side of the sport that often goes unnoticed. The discussion centered around comments made by his wife, Caitlyn, after Ryan Preece’s Daytona crash, expressing her frustration with the dangers of the sport. When asked how he deals with such situations and whether he talks to his wife about it, Larson didn’t hold back. He candidly admitted, “I mean, there’s nothing you can’t do, so I don’t know. I mean, I hate the racing too, but it’s on the schedule, and they keep adding more of them, it seems, so yeah, I mean, it just is what it is.”
Despite his reservations about certain aspects of the sport, Larson emphasized the importance of continuously improving safety measures. He pointed out that racing has evolved over the years, and there’s always room for enhancements, suggesting one specific change: “You know, the cars have come a long way in the last couple of decades, and there’s always just room to improve so, I think, you know, looking forward, I think they could look at, you know, just paving the insides of the racetrack because that wreck would have never happened if there wasn’t the grass there, and really what’s the point of having grass back there, you know?”
Larson’s concern for safety extends beyond himself; he expressed pride in the safety measures that allowed a driver to walk away from a significant wreck. But he also acknowledged the inherent danger in all sports, saying, “It’s every sport’s dangerous. I mean, you know, obviously, racing sprint cars is dangerous. I mean, anything you strap into can hurt you, so you just try not to think about it.”
Larson’s wake-up call to NASCAR
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Furthermore, Larson didn’t shy away from addressing the sport’s shortcomings and issued a compelling wake-up call to NASCAR, emphasizing the urgent need for improvements to ensure driver safety. His remarks carried the weight of experience and concern for the well-being of all drivers as he highlighted the importance of safety improvements. While acknowledging his limitations as a non-engineer, Larson stressed his ability to assess the racetrack and propose straightforward solutions. He emphasized, “I think I can look at the racetrack and easy, you know, easy fixes to repave the bottom so that’s so obvious that a lot of times you don’t even have to say it.”
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Concerns were raised about safety measures, especially noting the wreck at Talladega. Larson didn’t hesitate to express his views on the matter, suggesting that NASCAR and the speedway should consider proactive measures. He stated, “I’m sure NASCAR and the speedway, they have already—I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re paving it right now. I think they learn from everything.”
In closing, Larson acknowledged the pace of change in the sport, expressing, “You hate to see them see anything be reactive; we’d rather be proactive but at least they’re doing something, so I’m sure changes, more changes will come from the car itself and your tracks moving forward.”
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Watch this story: Chase Elliott Makes a 4-Word Revelation on His Clash With Kyle Larson
In the aftermath of the harrowing crash at Daytona involving Ryan Preece, and witnessing Preece’s remarkable return to the grid at Darlington, it’s clear that safety in NASCAR has made significant strides. However, it also underscores that there’s still a long road ahead in the pursuit of safeguarding the well-being of every driver.