The 2021 NASCAR Cup champion Kyle Larson, has commented on the debate regarding the sport’s trajectory, admitting that team owners are reluctant to change due to potential rising costs. This comes after the disappointing Playoff race in Bristol which ignited criticism from fans.
During an appearance on the “Dale Jr. Download Reloaded” podcast, Larson discussed his concerns about these comments from fans of the sport, the financial implications of Next-Gen cars, and the complex dynamics of NASCAR’s racing.
Recent conversations within the NASCAR community have turned a critical eye toward the Next-Gen cars, especially in their performance on short tracks. The Bristol playoff race, for instance, fell short of the high expectations set by the regular season race. With only eight lead changes and Larson leading for 462 laps, the race was perceived as dominant but monotonous, leaving fans disappointed.
Larson has not shied away from defending the sport amidst growing fan criticism. During the podcast, he highlighted the fact that because he’s not in the position of owning a team car, he can’t comment.
Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 20, 2024 in Bristol, Tennessee. Larson has commented on the fan backlash regarding the Bristol race.
James Gilbert/Getty Images
“I don’t know because, well for one, I’m not a car owner so I don’t deal with … I think it’s easy for us to sit here and say, ‘Well the tires might not be the biggest thing that’s going to change the racing so we need to start changing stuff on the cars, taking aero away, hiding aero or doing this or doing that,'” Larson said.
Expanding on the reluctance of team owners to endorse additional changes, Larson said, “I think that the team owners don’t want to change the cars because it’s going to cost them a lot of money so I don’t know I think it’s just a tricky situation right now.”
Larson didn’t stop at the podcast. His frustration over the fan ratings of the Bristol race spilled onto social media. Fans rated the race poorly, which evidently irked Larson. He took to X (formerly Twitter) to vent.
“I think I said that because I’ve been a part of some not so exciting races where somebody might lead a lot of laps, not a lot of passing and then we get a caution at the end and we have one or two overtime finishes and then I look at the poll the next day and it’s like, ‘The best race of the year.’
“That’s where I was coming at from Bristol…” he explained on the podcast.
