In 2023, Denny Hamlin responded defiantly to fans who booed him for wrecking Kyle Larson during the Pocono race, saying, “They can boo my rock out of here in a few years.” This incident solidified Hamlin as NASCAR’s villain, particularly as Larson, a fan favorite, was visibly shaken by the wreck. However, as time has passed, the situation appears to have shifted.
Recently, Larson made waves in the 2025 Chili Bowl Nationals, capturing attention with his A-Main Preliminary victory on Monday night. He continued his impressive run through to the Saturday finals, but the win was not without controversy. His success sparked mixed reactions, leaving some questioning whether Larson was becoming the new villain in the racing world.
Larson’s year took another turn in May 2024 when he attempted the Double, partnering with Arrow McLaren to compete in both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600. Due to rain, Larson finished 18th in the Indy 500 and missed the Coca-Cola 600, but NASCAR granted him a waiver. While some fans supported the decision, others criticized it, accusing the sport of favoritism. This criticism has only grown since his Chili Bowl victory.
At the Chili Bowl, Larson faced more drama. Starting from the pole, he led the race but was involved in a collision with two lapped cars with 17 laps remaining. He was saved by a well-timed caution flag, which came out again with just four laps to go. These events led some fans to question the legitimacy of his win. Journalist Matt Weaver noted the mixed reactions from fans, while NASCAR expert Chase Falcom pointed out the mixed reception during Larson’s driver introductions.
Larson himself acknowledged the role the caution flags played, admitting that they helped ease his path to victory. Despite his critics, Larson has handled such backlash before. His dominant victory at the 2023 Bass Pro Shops Night Race, where he led 462 of 500 laps, drew skepticism from fans who doubted the fairness of his performance. Larson responded to these critics, clarifying that the issue wasn’t with the tires, as some suggested.
Kyle Larson’s success, both on the track and off, has always drawn mixed opinions. His ability to handle criticism and continue winning has made him a resilient figure in the sport, but now, as he faces growing controversy, the question remains: is Larson becoming NASCAR’s next villain?
