Kyle Larson Credited Tony Stewart and Hendrick Motorsports Legend For Saving Him From Getting Brainwashed In a 2019 Interview

Kyle Larson is the true embodiment of how unpredictable NASCAR is. At the same time, it also shows how rewarding it is for someone who is incredibly talented and willing to work on their skills to become even better.

Larson came into NASCAR in a relatively unconventional manner. The first differentiator is his upbringing – the driver belongs to California, and not the South like most other drivers. That’s what Michael Waltrip asked him on his Waltrip Unfiltered Podcast, in 2019.

Waltrip said, “I wanna go back to when you first started racing in cars. Did you envision being a NASCAR driver as a kid? Or were you thinking dirt racing your whole life, or IndyCars… how did you wind up down here in the South?

Larson chuckled, before answering “So yeah I mean World Outlaws has always been my first love in sprint cars and all that. But you know the guys I looked up to in racing, you know Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart… they were dominating when I was racing in go-karts and then in the sprint cars.”

He then explained, “So I always wanted the opportunity to get to NASCAR and race with them. And I knew that’s where American race car drivers made the most money, and just getting to race in front of a huge crowd, and just things like that.”

“But then I started racing USAC in 2011, and I got there… it was kind of weird, I felt like everybody… when you get to USAC, it’s almost like they try and convince you or brainwash you that IndyCar is where you need to go. Because that’s where it was back in the day, I guess,” he revealed.

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Larson would be quite happy he didn’t get “brainwashed”. He might not have known at the time of the interview, but he had a Cup Series title on the way, 2 years down the line.

How did Kyle Larson make the leap to NASCAR? 

Larson was still at Chip Ganassi Racing when he spoke to Michael Waltrip. He had been competing in the Cup Series for 5 years, but not too much had gone his way. But he had no regrets.

Larson revealed on the podcast, “I met some teams… I went to Chip Ganassi. That was more of an introduction to go IndyCar racing. And I met with some other teams…. I was just never for it. I just wanted to, I wanted to make it to NASCAR. I think I finally told Mike Cole “I wanna race NASCAR.”

“Then I started to win a lot, and I came down here to the South. Met with every single race team. Ended up signing with Chip. So I was glad that I, you know, stuck to my guns, and chose NASCAR because I love it,” he said happily. 

He further explained, “It’s a lot of fun to get to travel every week. Race in some cool new venues, in some great towns, cities. Golf courses nearby. So yeah, I’m happy in NASCAR. I’m glad I made that choice.”

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A lot happened since then. From getting banned for a season, and moving to Hendrick Motorsports, to winning a title in record fashion. But it’s unlikely Larson would change anything.