Kyle Larson Handed a Harsh Reality Check on His Inferiority to Chase Elliott by NASCAR Veteran

Is a driver’s ability to pull the crowd a barometer of his racing prowess? This sounds like a question for a Hollywood actor to answer, but the fact of the matter is it has become NASCAR’s reality, too. With the landscape of NASCAR fast evolving, it is now at a critical juncture where it needs to bring in a new set of fans to return to its old glory days.

NASCAR has been having quite a candid discussion about its present and its prospects, thanks in part to some recent words by veteran driver Kenny Wallace on where Kyle Larson sits in the sport, juxtaposed against Chase Elliott‘s massive popularity. His remarks have set much of the discourse abuzz, especially concerning shifts in the winds of fan popularity in NASCAR.

Kenny Wallace’s brutal take on Kyle Larson’s real market value

Kenny Wallace, known for his outspoken nature, acknowledged Larson as incredibly talented and successful in the world of dirt racing. But claimed his fame doesn’t necessarily translate to the mainstream NASCAR audience. Larson is a three-time Chili Bowl champion and Wallace praised the Hendrick Motorsports driver’s ability to sell out places with his dirt racing endeavors, saying, “Kyle Larson moves the needle in dirt racing. If Kyle Larson teams up with flo (racing), he’s gonna pack Eldora (Speedway).” However, he unleashed a hot take about Larson’s fame and prefaced it with, “I’m going to say something that’s going to smack people right in the face.”

Wallace’s bold claim centers on the fact that despite Larson’s exceptional talent and accolades, he hasn’t captured the same level of popularity in NASCAR as some of the younger stars like Chase Elliott.“Kyle’s a legend, but he doesn’t move the needle like Chase Elliott… If Kyle Larson was so damn famous, he’d be winning the most popular driver every year.” Chase Elliott has notably won the Most Popular Driver Award for 7 years in a row now. However, Wallace does acknowledge Elliott’s father, Bill Elliot’s hand in this. Wallace added, “Chase is just loved because of his father.” Bill Elliott is a 16-time winner of the Most Popular Driver award, so naturally, his son has carried that torch in his career so far.

NASCAR is at a critical moment where it needs more drivers who can catch the attention of people who do not necessarily belong to the traditional racing community. So, despite Larson being one of the sport’s most talented competitors, the words from Wallace indicate that his lack of crossover into mainstream crowds is a tremendous disadvantage at a time when drivers such as Elliott reign supreme over the fan-driven facets of the game.

Wallace’s remarks are part of a broader discussion about the changing face of NASCAR’s fan base. The sport is at a crossroads with a new generation of fans and drivers, and it’s obvious that fan appeal is not equal to talent behind the wheel. In this race for popularity, it’s evident that the bar has been set by Chase Elliott, and others, including Larson, are still trying to catch up.

How strong fandoms are affecting NASCAR’s way of functioning

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Denny Hamlin Pushed Around at Bowman Gray by Roger Penske’s New Short Track Master

Saturday night at Bowman Gray Stadium promised to be an exciting way to kick off NASCAR’s preseason event, The Clash. The big surprise of the night, however, was Kyle Larson’s shocking miss in advancing from the heat races. One of the sport’s brightest stars, Larson faltered in a 25-lap heat race, failing to directly qualify for the main event. While he still had a shot through the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ), the immediate reaction from his fanbase stunned many in the NASCAR community.

As soon as it became clear that Larson wouldn’t advance, a noticeable number of his fans began leaving the stands, a moment that quickly went viral on social media. It prompted debate about whether fans are getting too attached to a particular driver instead of the sport itself. Kyle Larson finishing 17th in the main event didn’t make a case for the fans either.

There was also criticism from older NASCAR fans regarding people who were leaving early, while many more aired their grievances through social media by saying true race fans should not leave when their favorite is already out, for they were staying for the race. “I understand supporting a driver, but leaving because they don’t qualify? That’s not what being a race fan is about,” one fan wrote on X.

Others pointed out that the incident highlighted NASCAR’s growing shift toward star-driven marketing rather than promoting the sport as a whole. Some even insinuated that the reliance of NASCAR on drivers such as Larson could be responsible for a flaccid, not-to-hold-it-dear fanbase. However, others came in to defend those who left early, pointing to the long waits, cold temperatures, and the absence of parking as some of the main culprits.

Be that as it may, the reaction to Larson’s early departure has generated a larger debate on modern-day NASCAR fandom. While every sport has a star-driven fanbase, walking out before a race ends contradicts the traditional values of stock car racing. To ensure long-term growth, NASCAR must find the middle ground between marketing its biggest stars and ensuring fans remain invested in the sport as a whole. Whether this was a one-time affair or an indicator of a shift in fandom that ran deeper, Larson’s battles at Bowman Gray became more than just a racing story. It was a moment for NASCAR and its fan culture to reflect on.