The 2024 NASCAR season brought an intense showdown between Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch. One of the most talked-about moments happened at Gateway, where Busch’s promising day was cut short. “The Rebel Camaro wasn’t what it was last year, but it was a top-10 car… and now we’re not going to finish at all,” Busch said after a crash triggered by Larson, who attempted an inside move in Turn 1 but slid up and pushed Busch into the outside SAFER barrier in Turn 2.
While Larson has built a reputation for tearing through NASCAR’s toughest circuits, he doesn’t appear to be chasing rivals—especially not Busch. Still, he recently took on something that echoes one of Busch’s biggest achievements: the Bristol Triple Sweep. This feat, which involves winning the Truck Series race, the Xfinity Series race, and the Cup Series race at Bristol in the same weekend, has only been accomplished by Kyle Busch—twice, in 2010 and 2017. Larson came close, winning two of the three races and setting a record with 687 laps led over the weekend, but the Truck Series victory slipped away.
In a candid conversation on the Dale Jr Download, Larson downplayed any rivalry with Busch as his driving force. “If I was to win the triple and be able to tie Kyle Busch, that would be a neat feat, but it’s not the main motivating factor,” he explained. His true motivation? A passion for the tracks themselves. Larson’s desire to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 also shows his drive to embrace challenges beyond rivalries. Reflecting on his near success, he even praised Busch: “It’s really tough… Makes you realize how extremely good Kyle Busch is.”
But recent comments from Larson suggest a more competitive edge. When asked about racing in Xfinity, he admitted, “I want to embarrass them… I want to embarrass NASCAR a little bit because they just don’t let Cup guys run anymore.” Though his words may sound harsh, Larson insists his intention is to elevate young drivers by pushing them against top-level competition. “That’s only better for our sport,” he added.
Larson’s aggressive approach may stir debate, but it might just be what the next generation of drivers needs to reach the top. What’s your take on it?
