If you don’t know about Kyle Larson yet, you will soon enough. The 20-year-old from Elk Grove, California is on a fast track to the NASCAR Sprint Cup series.
Who is Kyle Larson?
+ Tony Stewart says, “That kid is a lot better than (Jeff) Gordon or myself were at his age and you’re going to be hearing about him for a long time. He’s a special talent.”
+ Veteran racing journalist Robin Miller says, “Kyle Larson’s the hottest thing on four wheels and already has some oldtimers saying (he) reminds them of Parnelli Jones.”
+ Jeff Gordon says, “I am blown away by this kid. I have Kyle’s number. I text him when he wins a race. I told him, ‘I’m getting tired of texting you every week.'”
In 2011, Larson won a total of 22 races in the World of Outlaws, the three USAC national divisions, and the American Sprint Car Series. At Stewart’s Eldora Speedway, he won in Silver Crown, sprint cars, and Midgets all in one night. Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing then snapped up Larson, signing him to a development deal.
In 2012, his first season in a NASCAR touring series, Larson won the 2012 K & N Pro Series East title with two wins and twelve top tens in 14 races—and somewhat redundantly, Rookie of the Year honors. In his first four Camping World Truck starts, he scored one top five and three top tens.
A Japanese-American, Larson is also currently a leading light of NASCAR’s Drive for DIversity program. At this moment, the entire racing world is leaning in to learn the extent of his 2013 plans. Meanwhile, thanks to our friend Kevin Bryde of Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing, here’s a run by Larson the other day at a local kart track, the Mooresville Motorplex. Watch this.
This kid is quick!!! In the video he crashes at least three times and then saves it every time.