After Kyle Larson’s thrilling victory at the Brickyard 400, former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace sparked a lively debate by starting an online poll. He posed a question to the fans: who among Kyle Larson and his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott deserved the title of NASCAR’s “Golden Boy”?
This question was prompted by Ryan Blaney’s heated radio rant. Frustrated when Larson secured the top spot after Brad Keselowski pitted for fuel, Blaney expressed his anger in colorful terms. He accused NASCAR of favoring Larson, exclaiming, “There’s no way they should’ve let that go green. That’s ridiculous. They just GAVE it to him (Kyle Larson). It’s over, I’m on the top. I ain’t gonna win from the top. Gave it to golden boy. Son of a…,” Blaney fumed.
In the aftermath of Larson’s win, his fourth of the season, Wallace’s poll attracted thousands of votes. When the results came in, Larson narrowly edged out Elliott with 53% of the votes, earning the fan-bestowed title of NASCAR’s “Golden Boy.” Wallace shared the results on his X handle, noting the close competition: “After 7 thousand votes yall say that @chaseelliott and @KyleLarsonRacin are tied for the ‘Golden Boy’ award. However, Kyle just edging Chase out. Still pretty close,” he wrote.
Embracing his new title with humor, Larson responded to a post about Blaney’s radio message, where Blaney had referred to him as “golden boy.” Larson quipped, “Thanks @NASCAR,” showcasing his light-hearted side.
Ryan Blaney, known for his fiery radio outbursts, insists there’s nothing personal behind his on-air venting. Earlier this season, after another outburst at Darlington, fellow driver Denny Hamlin commented on Blaney’s contrasting personas. “I’ve never seen anyone so quiet in person and so wild on the radio. Never. He is the epitome of when you strap on the helmet it cuts circulation off,” Hamlin observed.
Blaney explains that his radio tirades are merely a way to release pent-up emotions, acting as a “blowoff valve.” “I try not to hold grudges. Those to me are like, get it out, then I’m over it in 10 seconds and now I can move on and focus instead of lingering on this thing that’s bothering me,” Blaney said.
Despite wishing he didn’t have this tendency, Blaney acknowledges it’s a part of who he is. He believes that expressing his emotions helps him reset and move forward, and assures that these outbursts don’t hinder his performance. Instead, he views them as a way to clear his mind and continue racing without carrying any residual frustration.
Overall, the Brickyard 400 and its aftermath highlighted not just the intense competition on the track, but also the passionate emotions and playful banter that make NASCAR a thrilling sport for fans and drivers alike.
