Kyle Larson’s Wild Racing Journey: Triumphs, Challenges, and a Sprint Car Setback
As the dust settles on the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, Kyle Larson shows no signs of slowing down. The Hendrick Motorsports ace is in the middle of an extraordinary eight-day racing spree spanning two continents. After clinching a $100,000 victory at the Australian Sprint Car Championship in Perth Motorplex, Larson jetted back thousands of miles to the United States for the Tulsa Shootout. But while his international success made headlines, his stateside sprint car venture hasn’t gone as smoothly.
Kyle Larson Faces Tough Competition at Tulsa Shootout
The Tulsa Shootout, a magnet for racers worldwide, features 1,855 entries battling for glory. Among the few standout competitors, Kyle Larson, a two-time Chili Bowl Nationals champion, was expected to shine. However, his return to the event after 14 years hit an early roadblock.
Driving the No. 83K FloRacing car, Larson started 7th in the A-Class Winged heat race. With his signature skill, he surged to 2nd place. But the race’s ultimate winner, sprint car veteran Frank Flud, proved too fast to catch. Flud, who expertly defended his lead, explained his strategy:
“I knew everybody was trying to stay at the bottom. When that yellow came out, I knew Kyle was in third. I really paid attention to the screen to see where he was choosing his lines. I knew I had enough speed off of Turn 2 to jump up and get in front of him going into Turn 3,” said Flud.
Larson’s struggle is all the more surprising as another NASCAR star, Kyle Busch, a relative rookie to the Tulsa Shootout, has been making waves. Busch, a two-time Cup champion, has already won both a winged heat race and a non-wing heat race. Sharing his enthusiasm, Busch said:
“These outlaw cars are so much fun because they have so much power in them. I loved it, and all is good right now. Just need to tune the car a bit more and be ready for qualifiers.”
A Grueling Double Endeavor and Sprint Car Glory
Despite his Tulsa challenges, Larson’s recent achievements are remarkable. Earlier this year, he became only the fifth driver in history to attempt The Double—competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. The feat, requiring months of collaboration between HMS and Arrow-McLaren, tested Larson’s endurance and adaptability. Reflecting on the experience, Larson shared:
“I think all my dirt racing prepared me for the May thing. It [The Double] was actually really, really easy. That was the only time of the year I was in one place for a solid week. The hectic part was flying back and forth for the All-Star Race—and, of course, the 500/600 was challenging with the weather—but I’ve done similar schedules with sprint cars and NASCAR before.”
Larson’s grit extended beyond the NASCAR world. Just days ago, he traveled over 10,000 miles to Australia, where he claimed victory at the inaugural High Limit International Sprint Car Race, pocketing a hefty purse. The whirlwind trip back to the U.S. for the Tulsa Shootout—another 10,000+ miles—underscored his dedication.
What’s Next for Yung Money?
Though Larson’s Tulsa return hasn’t been flawless, his ability to balance intense schedules and high-stakes racing is nothing short of inspiring. With the 2025 season on the horizon, Larson’s blend of versatility and resilience remains unmatched. Fans will eagerly watch as he takes on his next challenge, whether on dirt or asphalt.
As for the Tulsa Shootout, all eyes will remain on Larson to see if he can rebound and remind the world why he’s a racing phenomenon. Stay tuned for more updates as this thrilling event unfolds!
