When NASCAR expanded its “Greatest Drivers” list from 50 to 75 names in 2023 to celebrate its 75th anniversary, the inclusion of current era drivers like Kyle Larson turned heads. It sparked a debate that hasn’t cooled down two years later. Fans and insiders alike have been split ever since. Has Larson already earned a seat at the table of all-time greats, or is it still too soon?

Now, in 2025, the conversations haven’t faded. If anything, they’ve only intensified as Larson continues to rack up wins and prove his versatility. But in a recent sit-down, veteran broadcaster Mike Joy delivered a sharp and honest reality check to Kevin Harvick that goes beyond stats and championships. Sometimes, greatness isn’t appreciated simply because the spotlight isn’t shining in the right direction.

Mike Joy’s thoughtful Kyle Larson assessment hits home for Kevin Harvick

Kyle Larson is more than just a stock car racer. He has the 2021 Cup Series Championship to his name, of course, but also boasts three Chili Bowl Nationals, Knoxville Nationals, and is scheduled to attempt ‘The Double’ for the second time in his career in 2025. The Hendrick Motorsports #5 is one of the most versatile drivers the sport has ever seen, and Mike Joy did not hesitate to give Larson his flowers.

When Kevin Harvick asked Mike Joy on the Harvick Happy Hour podcast, where Kyle Larson might fit “among the all-time greats,” longtime FOX broadcaster Mike Joy said, “Certainly top 10 and possibly top five,” he said. But rather than declare Larson’s place definitively, Joy took a broader view, one that was rooted in NASCAR’s shifting landscape over generations.

Joy made it clear that comparing drivers across different decades is a murky business: “We have no idea how David Pearson would do in this car today or Richard Petty or even Jeff Gordon.” All three were dominant in their time. Richard ‘The King’ Petty has a record 200 wins, Pearson has 105, and Gordon, 93. But in a sport shaped by the constant evolution of cars, tracks, and competition, raw statistics don’t always tell the full story.

In an era of single-source parts and lower horsepower, who knows whether Petty or Gordon would dominate the same way? It was only in the fourth year of the Next-Gen car that we saw a driver, Christopher Bell, win three races in a row. This was commonplace in Petty’s era, as the King won 10 in a row in 1967, tallying 27 wins in a single season! On the flip side, would current era drivers be able to drive the cars of the 70s and 80s, which required precise handling and not to mention the glaring lack of safety measures in place? “We will never know,” added Mike Joy.

Digging deeper, Joy reminded Harvick how, in many cases, one driver often overshadows other great drivers of the era. “The other thing is sometimes you get a driver that’s so dominant that the success of other drivers pales by comparison,” Joy pointed out. He used Harvick’s career itself as an example, adding, “I was looking at your stats the other day, not just all the races you won… I’m going, you know, when Kevin was racing, how did we not make a bigger deal out of this? Oh yeah, Jimmie Johnson was winning five championships in a row!”

Jimmie Johnson’s five consecutive championships from 2006 to 2010 redefined greatness and often overshadowed the stellar runs of peers like Harvick. For the record, Harvick has 60 wins, 444 top 10s, and 31 poles and the 2014 Cup Series championship to his name. However, during much of Harvick’s prime, the spotlight naturally gravitated toward Johnson’s historic streak. But Harvick’s numbers deserve their own chapter, not just a footnote. “We celebrate it now. Sorry if we didn’t celebrate it so much, then,” Joy pointed out. “That’s okay,” Harvick replied with a chuckle.

To put this into context with Larson, the HMS driver has won 25 races in the 2020s decade, 6 more than second-place Denny Hamlin. And while he might have just one championship to Joey Logano’s two (2022 and 2024), his dominance is unparalleled. Lest we forget, Larson won 10 races in 2021 and 6 races in 2024, and he didn’t even run the entire 2020 campaign after being suspended mid-season.

Joy’s message wasn’t a slight on Kyle Larson or Kevin Harvick. It was a commentary on timing, context, and perspective. Legends aren’t just born from results. They’re shaped by the era they race in, the stories they write, and the shadows they either cast or race within.

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Kyle Larson’s impressive career and his pursuit of racing immortality

Kyle Larson’s racing résumé is as diverse as it is impressive. The driver has 31 NASCAR Cup Series wins, a 2021 championship, and victories in prestigious events like the Brickyard 400 and the Southern 500. Larson has also showcased his adaptability across various racing disciplines, being a formidable force in dirt track racing and boasting multiple wins in events like the Knoxville Nationals and the Kings Royal.

​As of April 2025, Kyle Larson is delivering a formidable performance in the NASCAR Cup Series. Through the first nine races, he has secured two victories, five top-five finishes, and six top-ten finishes. This places him fourth in the championship standings with 304 points. Notably, Larson’s recent triumph at the Food City 500 in Bristol showcased his dominance. Here, he led 411 of 500 laps and marked his third win at the track in the past six races.

Moreover, Kyle Larson will attempt “Double Duty” again in 2025. However, this time he will prioritize the Coca-Cola 600, ensuring his commitment to the NASCAR championship remains intact. This is mainly because of the new rule that strips drivers of their playoff points gained in the regular season if they miss a Cup Series race for outside commitments. Should weather or delays impact the Indy 500, Larson is prepared to exit the race early to make it to Charlotte in time. Tony Kanaan will serve as his backup driver for the Indy 500, ready to step in if necessary.

Success in the Double Duty would place Larson among a select group of drivers who have attempted this challenging endeavor. Merely achieving a finish in both races on the same day would put him as only the second person ever to do so, along with Tony Stewart in 2001. This would not only highlight his versatility but also cement his legacy as one of the most accomplished drivers in motorsports history.