KNOXVILLE, Iowa — When this week is done, Kyle Larson will have raced in at least five events from New York, Iowa and the auto racing mecca that is Indianapolis.
That doesn’t count the travel, countless interviews in light of his fifth NASCAR Cup Series victory Aug. 8 at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) Int’l, the long autograph session after his ninth sprint car victory of the year Monday at Southern Iowa Speedway, and attending to a son and daughter that aren’t growing up fast.
On Thursday night, Larson will take on the 60th installment of the NOS Energy Knoxville Nationals.
And if he wins the biggest sprint car race of his life Saturday night, all before needing to be in Indianapolis before 9 a.m., Sunday to continue his NASCAR Cup title pursuit, life gets that much crazier.
“It’s what I’ve always done,” Larson said of his busy schedule. “I’m used to the business, I guess. And I love it, too. I think if you didn’t like it, it would start to get grueling and stuff. Running well and contending like we do makes it all worth it. It doesn’t make it seem as hectic as it probably is.”
Larson is fresh off a vacation to the Bahamas and three momentous victories across three disciplines: The Prairie Dirt Classic in the late model on July 31 at Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, Ill., the NASCAR Cup Series at Watkins Glen and driving Paul Silva’s sprint car during the Sage Fruit Front Row Challenge.
.@KyleLarsonRacin’s win Monday at Osky stood as his 20th of the year.
— Kyle McFadden (@ByKyleMcFadden) August 11, 2021
He’s riding three wins in a row into Knoxville — Prairie Dirt Classic in the Late Model, Watkins Glen in NASCAR Cup, the Front Row Challenge for his ninth sprint win of the year
14 wins his last 31 starts now pic.twitter.com/CLbVJ8Lz34
Silva and Larson actually busted out a new car on Monday for the first time since they won their season debut April 16 at Williams Grove Speedway. Larson mangled the initial car fighting to make the 38th Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway on July 17.
Larson’s crew eventually bandaged the machine together to win the 37th Kings Royal that night, the team’s first crown jewel victory.
It will be Larson’s seventh attempt at the Knoxville Nationals. He failed to qualify for the main event in 2019 but challenged for wins in ‘17 and ‘18.
In 2017, Larson finished second, as Donny Schatz won and stunted Larson’s charge from ninth. In 2018, Brad Sweet upended Schatz and Larson in an epic finish.
“It’s my favorite race track, I would have to say,” Larson said. “The dirt here is the best, the best racing surface you could possibly get for dirt track racing. They do a great job with track prep. It’s always consistent.
“With the dirt being so good, the line changes lap after lap and you have to really search around,” he added. “Everything just has to be working right with your car. You have to make the right decisions each lap. It’s just a technical place. It’s fun and always races well.”
This year, Larson will qualify on Thursday for the first time. He can also race Friday’s preliminary night if needed since the lone NASCAR Cup practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course is Saturday morning, with qualifying and the race on Sunday.
In the midst of it all, Larson charged another responsibility on Wednesday afternoon: The annual Go-Kart Spectacular at Slideways karting facility near Knoxville Raceway.
Fans and drivers such as Larson, Tyler Courtney and Carson Macedo raced in an organized event, as proceeds benefited the Kyle Larson Foundation.
“It’s always a good time to race with fans and raise a lot of money to benefit my foundation,” he said.
Oh, and Larson won the charity kart race, too.
Now, with three wins already this week, he hopes the status quo remains.
“I’m happy with how we’ve been running lately.” Larson said. “I feel like we’ve had to work really hard to get our race car better, and I feel like we’re in a good spot. Hopefully, we can put it all together, have a good showing, and get a win.”