For the past two years, Joe Gibbs had prohibited its drivers from pursuing the world of dirt racing. Why so? It was to ensure that drivers did not injure themselves and miss out on their Cup series drive. The decision stemmed from safety issues and after watching Larson’s maneuvers at the Chili Bowl, Jeff Gordon might have been thinking about the ban himself.

Managing a team is difficult, and keeping your drivers safe is paramount. Now that Jeff Gordon is at Tulsa, it seems Kyle Larson’s practice sessions are sending chills across him. Larson secured the 2021 Cup Series Championship for Hendrick Motorsports and his impressive runs since have made him a key driver for the team. Which is probably why Gordon was so nervous watching him zip around in Tulsa.

Jeff Gordon remembers his worst nightmare

Larson is a treat to watch, not only at the Cup Series track but also when it comes to dirt racing. His popularity in dirt racing is such that he is often regarded as the ultimate dirt race prodigy. For his latest stint, he is currently at the Chili Bowl Nationals. He has already attained the title twice, once in 2020 and again in 2021. Recently, Larson was practicing for the run, and supporting him was none other than Jeff Gordon. Gordon has been impeccably supportive of Larson and he is often seen supporting the drivers in his endeavors. 

Larson’s daredevil moves on the track, which has earned him widespread acclaim, left Jeff Gordon on edge. He posted a video on Instagram that showcased his emotions as he witnessed Larson taking his car for a spin around. Captioning the same, he wrote, “The Many Emotions of Watching Kyle Larson at the Chili Bowl”. However, one emotion that was quite predominant on his face is that of nervousness. Watching Larson push the limits, Gordon couldn’t help but be reminded of Alex Bowman‘s similar risk-taking approach that once led to a significant injury, sparking a wave of concern.

It was in late April that Alex Bowman ended up flipping his Sprint Car in a High Limit Racing event at 34 Raceway in Iowa. While it looked like just a flip, in reality, it had caused a long-term impact on Bowman. He ended up with a fractured vertebra and even missed his next four races for the NASCAR Cup Series. Bowman had started the first half of the 2023 season on a wonderful note. He had six top-10 finishes, three top-five finishes, and was 10th in points. This had also put a pause on his dirt racing ventures after this accident. 

Bowman had confirmed the same and said, “It was mine, at first. I made the decision. And then my decision got reinforced by management. I’ll get back to it someday, but the decision it was definitely mine, but reinforced by smarter people than me”. 

Gordon’s visible unease at Larson’s daring moves highlights the lingering impact of Bowman’s accident. It has also served as a poignant reminder of the fine line between glory and jeopardy in the high-stakes world of racing.

Kyle Larson wins the 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals title

Trending

1

Amid FedEx’s Shock Exit, Denny Hamlin Rewarded With a Surprise Gift by Joe Gibbs’ Loyal Sponsor

2

Iconic Rock Band’s $65 Million Reality Check Bursts Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s ‘Hate’ Bubble

3

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Mourns Friend Martin Truex Jr.’s Loss With the NASCAR Community

4

When Sponsor’s Revolt: NASCAR’s ‘Worst’ Driver Dragged to Court Over Shocking Issue

There is finally some good news for all the Kyle Larson fans out there. Larson has managed his third Golden Driller trophy and indeed it is much deserved. Larson clinched the victory despite a dramatic race that saw him run over the front tire of a car that slid in front of him and collide with the wall multiple times during the final laps. Kyle Larson dominated the track from start to finish, leading all 40 laps from the pole position. This helped him secure his third victory at the Chili Bowl Nationals midget car event on Saturday night in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Speaking of the third feather added to his cap, Larson said, “I love being back here”. He secured a spot in Saturday’s main event with a dominant win during Monday’s qualifying night. This ensured that his luck in the Pole Shuffle draw placed him in prime position. Starting as the last car in the shuffle, he outpaced Landon Brooks to claim the pole position for the feature race.

The last lap saw Larson holding off Pursley in a dramatic charge and claiming the final position. With this hard-fought victory, Larson not only etched his name as a three-time Chili Bowl champion but also reaffirmed his status as one of the most fearless and skilled drivers in midget car racing history.