For the fans of NASCAR, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is not just a name, it’s an emotion. When we think of ‘Junior’, we think of his domination at Talladega or his 2001 Daytona win, we see his era of domination and his mass appeal. He was a cultural phenomenon, even the people who don’t know of NASCAR know Dale Earnhardt Jr. 

Back in 2017, when Earnhardt Jr. retired from the world of NASCAR, it marked the end of an era and left a void in the sport that many wondered if ever could be filled. Fans were left stranded as the driver they supported and cheered for nearly two decades, was not going to be in the starting lineup, come next Sunday. 

Ever since Earnhardt Jr. retired, we all have been asking ourselves a question, the same question Kevin Harvick asked his guest on his podcast, “Do you have a favorite NASCAR driver, that you follow on this side? Who’s your guy in this world?” as we try to find a driver to fill the hole that Earnhardt Jr. has left.

This guest was none other than Hollywood’s Patrick Dempsey, known for his role in the hit TV show ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. Back in 2023, he was also voted People’s Sexiest Man Alive. Dempsey, himself is a passionate racing fan, and a racer as well, competing multiple times in the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans. His racing accolades speak for himself, with two podium place finishes in the American Le Mans Series, first at Laguna, then in Austin. So, when he’s naming a successor, it doesn’t come lightly. 

“It’s been a different generation now for me, because, when we had Dale Earnhardt Junior, that generation was when I was really, you know, that was really at the height of NASCAR,” said Dempsey in the interview with Harvick.

You might be thinking, who could it be, the driver that is Dempsey’s favorite in the modern era of American Stock Car Racing, after Earnhardt Jr. Perhaps it’s Chase Elliott, the reigning Most Popular Driver. After all, he took over the title from Junior. But no, while it’s a Hendrick Motorsports driver, ‘McDreamy’ was talking about Kyle Larson. 

“It’s a different thing now, but Kyle Larson to me is really a fascinating guy because of his ability to adapt from the downforce cars and then getting back into NASCAR,” said Dempsey focusing on Larson’s versatility and his ability to adapt to different racing styles and disciplines.

What Dempsey emphasized on was Larson’s dynamic ability to move between racing disciplines. Just last year, he was on track to be one of the few drivers who competed in both Indy Car and NASCAR when the unfortunate rain delay happened. But that wasn’t just about a fluke or talent. It’s about the years of discipline Larson has maintained. NASCAR fans will know Yung Money started out his racing career in karting in his native California, driving for Keith Kunz Motorsports and Hoffman Racing.

Eventually, when he made the switch to stock-cars, the success would follow. When he switched from open-wheel racing to stock-cars in 2012, there was immediate success in June during the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. Now, as a veteran Cup Series driver, his reputation for multiple racing disciplines is clear. His 2025 win in Chili Bowl Nationals and then returning to be competitive in the Cup Series. Even before that, in 2024, he won six races.

Speaking about the passion behind racing in different disciplines, Larson explained his reasoning last year. “For me, I think, and probably for a lot of drivers, I guess as you get older, and you feel like you’re close to your not peak, but you’re in your prime, you’re just trying to find those little fine details to make yourself better. And you know what that may be. I think that’s why I race a lot of different types of vehicles besides just NASCAR.” 

Even Dale Jr. can’t help but acknowledge his admiration for Larson. Now, Yung Money has struggled at superspeedways, yet during the Ambetter Health 400, Larson challenged Bell for the win before being beaten on the last lap. Recognizing this, Junior revealed a private conversation he had with the HMS driver. “I texted him after the race, and I said, ‘What you did today- I don’t know, it looked fun. It looked badass from where I was sitting. But what you did today is exactly what Daytona and Talladega used to be back when you could do whatever you wanted—take a car, make moves, and show your skill. But what you did today is pretty much what it was like.’ And he said, ‘Man, today was fun as hell.’ He had a blast.”

Coming back the McDreamy, Dempsey even wondered about Larson’s potential future in the world of Formula 1, “It’d be nice to see him get into an F1 car and do some testing.” While for now, Larson is focused on his NASCAR career, we can’t help but wonder what the future holds for him.

Is Formula 1 the future for Kyle Larson?

Can Kyle Larson really make it to Formula 1? Larson has already proven his skills and adaptability in various formats, from sprint cars to IndyCar attempts, and F1 could be the next challenge for the 2021 champion. While it might seem impossible now, Dempsey isn’t alone in thinking that it could be possible. 

“I’d love to see Kyle in an F1 car. It is something that we’ve discussed and something I think will happen down the road,” said McLaren CEO, Zak Brown when talking about Kyle Larson and the possibility of his future in Formula 1.

Kyle Larson, himself, on many occasions, has shown his willingness and interest to participate in Formula 1, even if just for testing or an exhibition event, “I would love to do it, and it sounds like hopefully I’ll get to it down the road…I would rather do it on one of those open test-style deals like after Abu Dhabi when other drivers are on the track, too…Obviously, I don’t think that I would be the best, but I would hope to not be last. I think that would show how good American oval racers are and unique, or if I was really bad, then it would just show how bad we are.”

 With the amount of skills and talent that Larson has, he definitely would not be bad if he tried his hand in a Formula 1 car. One thing’s for sure, fans and everyone around the world cannot wait to see one of the best drivers of the stock car racing show the world how good he is.