Fans reacted to Kyle Larson’s busy schedule for the upcoming weekend, reflecting on Larson’s double feature failure earlier this year. The 2021 Cup Series champion has two tasks to accomplish this coming weekend: qualify for the A Final of the 63rd Knoxville National and complete practice and qualifying laps for the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway.
Last May, Kyle Larson missed this year’s Coca-Cola 600 because he didn’t return to Charlotte after driving a rain-delayed Indianapolis 500. This weekend’s schedule will be just as busy for the Hendrick Motorsports icon. Larson looks forward to defending his title at the Knoxville Nationals (Aug. 7-10) and competing in Sunday’s Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway. Practice in Richmond starts on Saturday at 16:30 and continues until 17:15, followed by the qualifying session from 17:30. Meanwhile, Hot Laps at Knoxville Raceway will begin at 7:00 p.m., and racing will begin one hour later.
If Larson fails to qualify in the A-Main, he will have no choice but to fight for a spot in Friday’s qualifying night at FVP Hard Knox. Regarding this, veteran FOX Sports reporter Bob Pockrass spoke to X (ex-Twitter) and said:
“Kyle Larson needs to go in the A-Main so he can get back from Richmond to Knoxville on Saturday night (he may not be back in time for previous races). It remains to be determined if he is not qualified tonight and I’ll stay on Friday night to try it.”
Several fans reacted to Bob Pockrass’ post, with one calling for Kyle Larson, also known as Yung Money in sprint car racing, to quit. “Give him an exemption. That’s why they call him Yung,” the fan said.
Another fan wrote:
“Once again NASCAR has to put 2nd … damn”
Here are some other reactions to Bob Pockrass’s post:
“Maybe Nascar will give him an exemption to miss practice, qualifying and the race,” said one fan. “NASCAR should just move the start time so we can do both,” said another. “Knoxville Nationals > Race Richmond,” someone added. According to NASCAR rules, a driver must participate in all races during the regular season to qualify for the playoffs. However, NASCAR granted Kyle Larson a playoff waiver after he lost the Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Now, is NASCAR going to give Kyle Larson a second waiver for the playoffs? Only time will tell.
“This is every sprint car racer’s dream”- Kyle Larson on pole banner at Knoxville
Kyle Larson is a two-time winner of the Knoxville Nationals. He is also the reigning champion of the event. Last year, Larson drove the no. 57 Silva Motorsports on their way to victory, sweeping all 50 laps of the event. That’s why Knoxville Raceway recently honored Larson by dedicating a championship pole in his name and installing a poster with his photo on it. Larson was at the event with her son, Owen. Later, he posted some photos of the same on Instagram and captioned them as:
“So nice to get another checkered flag at @knoxvilleraceway! It’s every sprint driver’s dream.
Amazingly, with his victory in 2023 in what sprinters call the “Granddaddy of Them All”, Larson etched his name as only the second driver alongside Donny Schatz to lead all 50 laps of the prestigious event .
