Kyle Larson’s Special Surprise to Mentor Tony Stewart Has NASCAR World Reminiscing Rick Hendrick’s Two-Time Cup Champ Partner

This weekend is the NASCAR Cup race at the Darlington Raceway. While not as prestigious as the Daytona 500 or as hyped up as the upcoming All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro, it has its own appeal. To be exact, this race weekend is typically the throwback weekend in the NASCAR Cup Series. As the name suggests, various NASCAR teams compete in the race with retro-themed paint schemes. In light of this, Kyle Larson and Hendrick Motorsports unveiled their new scheme for this weekend.

As it happens, the blue and black paint scheme is Larson’s tribute to his mentor, Tony Stewart. The two of them are very similar in a lot of ways if we’re being honest. Stewart is well-known for being a jack of all trades and competing in various motor racing disciplines. Now, Larson has been following in his footsteps to some extent. Though he is mostly plying his trade in the dirt racing arena, he has been eyeing other gigs, like the Indianapolis 500.

NASCAR fans were hoping that Kyle Larson paid tribute to another legend

Without meaning any disrespect to Stewart, a number of NASCAR fans were unhappy with the subject of the tribute. Of course, there is nothing wrong with Larson paying tribute to Stewart. However, some felt that there was a much more worthy candidate for the throwback tribute. That driver was none other than former Hendrick Motorsports driver and two-time Cup Series champion, Terry Labonte.

It is important to note that Labonte used to drive the #5 car before Larson took up the mantle. In fact, he even won the 1996 Cup Series title for Hendrick Motorsports and the #5 team.

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As per one disgruntled fan, “Terrible. Kellogg’s Terry Labonte theme is what the masses want! Or just me.” Another felt that it was “Meh. Really wanting a Terry throwback.”

Others were a bit confused, saying, “I thought he was running the terry labonte throwback?” and “I thought he was running a Terry Labonte scheme??”

Another fan lamented, “We just keep asking for Kellogg’s and getting denied.”

Finally, there were reactions like, “It’s meh.. it’s better then last two years schemes.. but it’s.. nothing special really behind it… kinda wack Ig.. shoulda been a terry scheme,” and, “We wanted a terry Labonte throwback“.

One thing is for sure, a fair number of fans were disappointed by Larson’s choice.

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