The 2021 racing season has already started off quite brightly for Kyle Larson, as he retained the Chili Bowl trophy. Based on his performances at short and dirt tracks, Speed51 also crowned him the ‘Driver of The Year’ for the 2020 season.
Even in the Cup Series, Larson has consistently been one of the top-10 drivers in the circuit. Speaking in an interview, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Kurt Busch has no doubts about his former teammate’s ability.
Busch stated, “I think we saw a good dose of that in 2020 with how he handled the departure from Chip Ganassi Racing and how he elevated his game to a whole new level on the dirt circuits everywhere. I was texting him win, after win, after win and I got behind about the 20th win.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The No.5 team is one of the top contenders already, feels Busch
“Ultimately, the way he presented himself, the way he carried himself, showed his initiative with NASCAR on rectifying the problem and going through the road to recovery. Just everything about him last year shows what he’s going to bring to the track in 2021,” Kurt said.
Larson’s arrival did come with a level of intrigue since he effectively was going to replace NASCAR icon, Jimmie Johnson. But with Larson now entering the prime years of his racing career, the move to Hendrick Motorsports was certainly a no-brainer.
Kyle Larson has enjoyed a decent start to life at Hendrick Motorsports
Trending
“I Didn’t Have Any Money”: Brad Keselowski Indebted to Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Favor for Building His NASCAR Legacy
“No Way in Hell”: Tony Stewart Discloses a Major Roadblock After His Baby Boy’s Birth
What Is Left of Denny Hamlin’s Depleting Core After Having to Deal With a Nearly $70 Billion Worth Sponsor Loss?
NASCAR Rumor: Backed by Billionaire Family, Fans Speculate Former Formula 1 Driver to Soon Make NASCAR Debut
Aggrieved Fans Deem NASCAR’s MPD Awards “Pretty Much a Joke” Amid Piling Reports of Masked Chase Elliott Favoritism
“The professionalism of Hendrick Motorsports has never been questioned. The guidance there and just everything that I’m seeing adding up is that once he gets the feel of the car, and once he’s in sync with his crew chief – they’re going to be a tough train to stop.
I see that program as being one of the top contenders already,” concluded Busch on the subject.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
It’s been a minute… #DAYTONA500 @NationsGuard @TeamHendrick pic.twitter.com/TH9ZyQkeLY
— Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) February 10, 2021
Larson also showed a bit more consistency with his speed and maintained the pressure on the likes of Joey Logano and Ryan Newman in Duel 1. Ultimately he persevered in the 150 mile-race to finish sixth and will now start the Daytona 500 in 13th place.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Therefore, he will set his eyes on having an eventful ‘Great American Race’ with his new team this Sunday. Over the course of the season, though, he would look to bag a few wins and show Hendrick Motorsports why they made the right choice to sign him.
MORE – NASCAR Star Kyle Larson Explains His Approach Towards Social Media and Learning to Stay Away From It