Kyle Larson has boldly claimed that he possesses superior driving skills compared to three-time reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen. Following his third victory at the Knoxville Nationals on Saturday, the Hendrick Motorsports driver confidently asserted that he could outshine the Dutch racer in virtually any competitive racing scenario.
Max Verstappen, whose net worth is estimated at $90 million by Celebrity Net Worth, has been a force on the track, securing 51 wins in the last 80 Formula 1 races. At just 26 years old, he has twice received the Best Driver ESPY Award and has been recognized by ESPN as the world’s top auto racing driver, a title Larson himself held in 2021 after his Cup Series success.
Unlike the Formula 1 superstar, Kyle Larson showcases his talents across multiple racing formats, including Sprint Cars, Dirt Late Models, Dirt Midgets, and stock cars. The 32-year-old confidently declared his versatility, suggesting that Verstappen would find it challenging to win events like the Knoxville Nationals.
“I genuinely believe I am a more well-rounded driver than he is,” Larson remarked in a FloRacing interview. “There’s no chance he could jump into a Sprint Car and take the Knoxville Nationals. He wouldn’t be able to snag the Chili Bowl trophy either, nor could he clinch a Cup race at Bristol.”
Although Larson admitted that clinching a victory at the Monaco Grand Prix in Formula 1 might be beyond his reach, he feels optimistic about his prospects in the racing formats where Verstappen participates, implying that Verstappen would find stock car racing challenging.
“I find reassurance in the fact that I can outperform him. Yes, he may have the advantage in open-wheel racing like IndyCar or Formula 1, but that’s just one facet of racing. I truly believe I could excel against him in every other discipline. You can quote me on that,” Larson stated.
Beyond his achievements in Dirt Sprint Cars, Kyle Larson is currently at the top of the Cup Series standings with 779 points, marking him as the leading driver this season. His latest triumph came at this year’s Brickyard 400. Corey Day, who finished second at the Knoxville Nationals, also commended Larson. Giovanni Scelzi, who took second place in the Nationals, expressed doubt about what else he could have done to outpace Larson. The 22-year-old Californian drives the #18 car for KCP Racing in the World of Outlaws Nos Energy Drink Sprint Car series and made history in 2019 as the youngest driver to win an event at Knoxville Raceway at just 17 years and 8 months old.
“I’m still trying to determine what it takes to elevate my game. Once I uncover the secrets, I’ll be sure to share my findings. It’s crucial to be both mentally and physically resilient,” Scelzi told reporters. “While Kyle races in events that can stretch from three to four hundred laps, which might not seem overly strenuous, the mental pressure of piloting a stock car for that length of time is quite intense.”
“He shines in every aspect; he could very well be the greatest driver in history. I genuinely believe that’s not an overstatement. We all see it,” he added. Eighteen-year-old Corey Day, who started the 50-lap feature from the eleventh spot and finished third, supported Scelzi’s views, saying, “As Gio pointed out, I firmly believe there’s no one on the planet who can rival Kyle Larson’s skills behind the wheel.”
Kyle Larson is among the elite group of seven drivers (including Steve Kinser, Donny Schatz, Doug Wolfgang, Danny Lasoski, Kenny Weld, and Mark Kinser) who have won three or more Nationals at Knoxville Raceway. He is also one of five drivers (alongside Mark Kinser, Steve Kinser, Donny Schatz, and Doug Wolfgang) to have claimed three Nationals and a Kings Royal (in 2021). Furthermore, Larson is one of four drivers (with Schatz, Steve Kinser, and Lasoski) to have secured three titles in just four years.
