Since retiring from full-time racing, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has remained deeply involved in NASCAR, frequently engaging with drivers and acting as their voice to the public. One driver who has long been vocal about his struggles with superspeedway racing is Kyle Larson. However, that perception may have shifted after Sunday’s race at Atlanta, where Larson contended for the win in overtime and secured a third-place finish.
Following the race, Earnhardt reached out to Larson, praising his performance. “I texted him and said, ‘What you did today looked fun, looked badass from where I was sitting,’” Earnhardt shared on The Dale Jr. Download. He compared Larson’s driving to the classic superspeedway racing era at Daytona and Talladega, when drivers had more control and could showcase their skills. Earnhardt even told Larson that had he raced in that time, he would have been great.
Larson’s response was telling: “Man, today was fun as hell.” That enthusiasm is a game-changer—and it should worry the rest of the field.
Larson is already regarded as one of NASCAR’s most versatile and talented drivers, yet superspeedways have remained a weak spot in his resume. If he’s finally figuring them out, that could spell trouble for his competitors.
Earnhardt believes Larson is among the best in the sport and wants him to embrace Daytona, the crown jewel of NASCAR. “The Daytona 500 is our most important event,” Earnhardt emphasized. “I want our best driver to love that race, to be excited about it. When he’s not, because he doesn’t feel like he can do what he wants to do, that’s frustrating for me.” That’s why hearing Larson genuinely enjoy the Atlanta race was a big moment for Earnhardt.
Reflecting on the evolution of superspeedway racing, Earnhardt noted that Larson never had the opportunity to compete during what he considers the golden era of restrictor-plate racing—around 2004. During that time, drivers had more control and could make aggressive moves without as much restriction. However, Earnhardt is hopeful that NASCAR is heading back in that direction.
“When I heard Larson wasn’t a fan of Daytona and Talladega for years, I understood,” Earnhardt admitted. “It looks frustrating. But seeing him get out of the car excited about racing like that? If superspeedway racing keeps trending this way, oh man, that’s gonna be something special.”
