Kyle Larson is on a rampage, leaving his rivals in the dust. His recent victory at the Bristol Night Race reaffirmed his dominance in the NASCAR championship, especially after a brief winless stretch. While other teams focused on tire preservation, Larson and his #5 Chevrolet had a different strategy: relentless speed. Lap after lap, Larson put up blistering times, but is that all there is to his success? Is he just that naturally talented, or is there more to how he approaches racing? Kevin Harvick certainly thinks there’s something special behind Larson’s incredible performances.
Larson has long been praised by analysts and fans alike, but Harvick, a former NASCAR champion and Hendrick Motorsports driver, believes there’s an overlooked element to Larson’s success that gives him a major advantage—his racing intelligence.
The anticipated tense cutoff race at Bristol quickly became a masterclass in domination, with Larson taking center stage. His victory at Bristol added yet another win to his impressive 2025 season tally, and he did it in spectacular fashion. After starting in second place, Larson seized the lead on lap 38 and never relinquished it, leading a staggering 462 consecutive laps. This is the most laps led by a driver in over 40 years, a testament to Larson’s skill and the strength of his team.
Harvick offered his insights on Larson’s dominance during an episode of his podcast, *Happy Hour*, with co-hosts Kaitlyn Vincie and Mamba Smith. Harvick attributed Larson’s success to more than just raw talent; he pointed to Larson’s high racing IQ and his ability to learn from his mistakes quickly. “It really shows the strength of the team and the things that they do to just go there and put a butt whipping on everybody,” Harvick said. “But he’s also his racing IQ is very high. He can look at a race and say, ‘That was stupid, I shouldn’t have done that,’ and then just move on. Nothing fazes the guy.”
Larson’s Bristol victory wasn’t just about being fast on a particular day. Harvick’s theory highlights how well-prepared Larson was, thanks in part to his learning from previous races. After racing at Bristol earlier in the year, Larson expected significant tire wear, and he initially factored this into his strategy. However, once he realized the track conditions didn’t require heavy tire management, he adapted and continued to push aggressively, lap after lap.
In contrast to many drivers who were simply trying to survive the cutoff race and advance to the next round of the playoffs, Larson aimed higher. He didn’t just want to hold the lead—he wanted to maximize it. Knowing his car was fast, Larson focused on maintaining his position and extending his advantage, all while avoiding the kinds of mistakes that cost him dearly earlier in the season.
At the Atlanta race earlier this month, Larson lost a top-five finish in a single moment when he made contact with the wall. This mistake led to a tense cutoff situation at Bristol, but Larson’s approach at Bristol reflected his growing maturity as a driver. By minimizing errors and capitalizing on his opportunities, Larson has shown why he’s considered one of NASCAR’s elite talents.
Harvick’s praise goes beyond just NASCAR, as he believes Larson’s racing intelligence would serve him well in other motorsports, particularly Formula One. With rumors swirling about Larson potentially taking part in a seat swap with McLaren’s F1 team, fans are eager to see if the Hendrick Motorsports driver can challenge the likes of Max Verstappen. Larson himself has boldly claimed he’s a better all-around driver than Verstappen, and many are hoping for a showdown between the two racing superstars.
Larson has already proven his versatility by mastering stock car racing, excelling in dirt racing, and even dabbling in IndyCar. Now, the possibility of European open-wheel racing beckons, and Larson seems more than ready to take on the challenge. With connections to McLaren, there’s speculation that Larson could participate in a seat swap, where McLaren drivers like Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri would get a chance to drive the #5 NASCAR Camaro, while Larson would test his skills in an F1 car.
However, Larson has his own ideas for how this crossover could play out. Rather than simply swapping seats for a casual drive, Larson wants to compete directly against other F1 drivers in a full-fledged test. If the plans come to fruition, Larson could join the post-season F1 testing, giving him a chance to measure his skills against the best in the world. After his dominant Bristol performance and Harvick’s belief in his potential, fans are excited about the prospect of seeing Larson behind the wheel of an F1 car.
Still, the path to F1 isn’t without obstacles. Larson may need to secure a super license to participate in an official F1 test, which could complicate his ambitions. Nevertheless, the idea of a crossover remains tantalizing, even if it’s just a few laps around the track with Piastri or Norris swapping cars. Given Larson’s ability to handle pressure and perform at the highest level, it’s clear that whatever challenge lies ahead, he’ll be ready to tackle it head-on.
Kevin Harvick Reveals Kyle Larson’s ‘Butt Whipping’ in Bristol with 6 Bold Statements
