BACK TO HIS ROOTS
Kyle Larson’s year was truly a roller-coaster ride filled with extreme highs and devastating lows.
After using a racial slur during a livestreamed iRacing event cost him his NASCAR ride, the 28-year-old California racer returned to his short-track roots and enjoyed the type of season most drivers only dream about.
Larson won a pair of midget races, including the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals in January, but didn’t win again until May 23. From there, he went on a hot streak and had won 42 features in sprint cars, midgets, Silver Crown cars and even a dirt late model through Oct. 31. He closed the season with 46 total victories.
“I hoped to be doing this 10 years from now, but it’s come sooner and I’m happy I’m getting to do it at a young age,” Larson said about his season of dirt-track racing.
Larson was eventually reinstated by NASCAR and it was announced he will drive the No. 5 NASCAR Cup Series car next season for Hendrick Motorsports, filling the seat vacated by Jimmie Johnson.