“They Double the Purse” – Bubba Wallace Insider Reveals Kyle Larson Effect on Chili Bowl

In the world of motorsport, certain drivers have the Midas touch, where everything they lay their hands on turns to gold. Kyle Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, undoubtedly falls into that category. His prowess on the track is undeniable. But what sets him apart is his off-track influence on the sport. Recently, Bubba Wallace‘s insider offered a unique perspective on the profound impact Kyle Larson has had on the world of racing. According to him, everything Larson does, whether on the track or off, not only benefits himself, but also contributes to the overall growth of the sport.

Last year, Kyle Larson made a bold move by boycotting the prestigious Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. His decision stemmed from the longstanding issue of low payouts and relatively modest purse values associated with the event. It was clear to Larson that the payouts at the Chili Bowl did not match the significance and prestige of the race itself. So how did Larson’s decision impact the Chili Bowl?

Freddie Kraft claims Kyle Larson is the prime reason for Chili Bowl doubling their winner’s purse

Larson, a two-time winner of the coveted Golden Driller, sought to bring about change by advocating for increased purses throughout the field and an appropriate reward for winning the Chili Bowl. The event had been offering a winner’s purse of only $10,000, which was deemed inadequate by drivers of Larson’s caliber.

In comparison, Larson had experienced substantial victories. Including a $50,000 win at the Prairie Dirt Classic, a $150,000 triumph at the Knoxville Nationals, and a remarkable $175,000 victory at the Kings Royal. These victories highlighted the disparity between the Chili Bowl’s payout and the growing prestige of the event.

In explaining his decision, Larson told Racing America, “So, I’ve been going to the Chili Bowl for 15 years. It’s a great event, and I love it. I’ve spent half of my life going there. But now that I’ve started racing in these other big events, against big names. They just feel like a bigger deal to me than the Chili Bowl.”

The disparity in payouts brought attention to the event’s co-founder and promoter, Emmett Hahn, prompting Larson to take a stand for change. Larson’s message was clear. He wanted to see the purse for the Chili Bowl grow significantly to match the race’s growing importance. Larson’s move to boycott the event wasn’t an isolated one; other notable drivers, including Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Brad Sweet, Donny Schatz, Conor Daly, and Chase Elliott, shared his sentiments regarding the purse value.

Freddie Kraft, who is Bubba Wallace’s spotter, while discussing Larson’s impact on the sport in his podcast, emphasized how Larson’s actions resonated. “Easy guy to sit down and have a drink with and bullsh*t about racing,” he remarked. “It’s like everything he does right now on the track and then even off the track. Just promoting the sport and trying to make everything better. You saw him last year sit out the Chili Bowl because they didn’t pay enough money.”

“And guess what happens this year? They double the purse, they double the winner’s purse, anyway. So you know, things he does are helping, and not only helping himself, he’s trying to help grow the sport in general,” he concluded.

Watch This Story | Kyle Larson Wins His Own Sprint Car Series, Faces Backlash From Fans

In the last week, Kyle Larson made a few headlines. The biggest of them obviously being his dominant victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. However, his win will also be a boost for the other Hendrick Motorsports team.

Jeff Burton claims Larson’s win will benefit William Byron significantly

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Winning the first race of the Round of 8 in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs at Las Vegas was a significant milestone in his championship campaign. It secured his spot in the Final 4 at Phoenix, offering him the freedom to focus on chasing the championship without worrying about making the cut in the upcoming races.

However, former driver and current analyst, Jeff Burton, highlighted that Larson’s win goes beyond personal glory. According to Burton, it provides a substantial advantage not just for Larson but also for his teammate in the playoffs, William Byron, and Hendrick Motorsports as a whole.

By winning in Vegas, Larson has afforded the team the flexibility to channel resources and attention toward the #24 car. In Burton’s view, this shift of focus represents a “massive advantage.” He explained, “…[his win] allows Hendrick Motorsports to put focus on the #24 car and help them do what they need to do the next two weeks to get them into the championship. So I think it is a massive advantage for Hendrick Motorsports. Not just for the #5 car but for the #24 car.”

READ MORE: Kyle Larson Stands a Chance to Win the Indianapolis 500 and Here’s Why

In the dynamic world of NASCAR, every move and decision holds potential consequences. And with Kyle Larson at the center of it all, the racing landscape continues to evolve and grow.