Jimmie Johnson Applauds Kyle Larson for Paying the Perfect Tribute to Hendrick Motorsports

October 24, 2004 is regarded as a dark day in Hendrick Motorsports history. This is because a plane crash claimed the lives of ten people associated with the outfit. Now, several years down the line, Kyle Larson has clinched a victory at the Kansas Speedway on the 17th anniversary of the tragedy.

Needless to say, Hendrick Motorsports and NASCAR legend, Jimmie Johnson, were touched, especially when the Asian-American driver pointed to the skies as he celebrated his win.

“I want to dedicate this win to Rick and Linda (Hendrick),” Larson said after the race. “I didn’t get to ever meet Ricky or the other men and women who lost their lives that day. But I felt the importance of this race, no doubt. Crazy kind of how it all worked out there for me to win. I know they were all looking down, helping me out there on all the restarts and stuff and after getting in the wall.”

How did Kyle Larson perform in the race at Kansas?

Larson has been in excellent form in the last few races and taken a third consecutive win. Without a doubt, he is a surefire favorite for the 2021 Cup Series championship. Additionally, Johnson’s reaction and praise just goes to show how proud he is of Larson and Hendrick Motorsports.

However, this win will have major implications in the title race. To be precise, it means that there is one less race for the seven remaining Playoff drivers to snatch a berth in the season finale. The next race in the calendar is the Martinsville Speedway, which will mark the final race in the Round of 8. It is also the penultimate race of the 2021 season before the NASCAR Cup Series paddock heads to the Phoenix Raceway.

READ MORE: Kyle Larson on the Verge of Breaking a 20-Year-Old Record at Kansas This Weekend