When it comes to NASCAR’s biggest races, the Daytona 500 stands in a league of its own. Some drivers spend their entire careers chasing a victory in the Great American Race, while others focus on the ultimate prize—a Cup Series championship. But what happens when you ask a champion if he’d trade it all for Daytona glory? Kyle Larson’s response was nothing short of bold.
In a recent interview, Larson was hit with a question that made many fans curious: Would he trade his 2021 Cup Series championship for three Daytona 500 wins? Instead of a simple yes or no, he fired back with five bold statements that made it clear where he stands.
Larson acknowledged the prestige of the Daytona 500 but made it clear that a championship carries a different weight. A championship shows consistency, skill, and dominance over an entire season. Winning three Daytona 500s would be amazing, but a title proves you were the best all year.
Confident as ever, Larson didn’t shy away from his ultimate goal: winning the Daytona 500 without giving up his championship. He doesn’t have to trade anything because he plans on winning it anyway. Without naming names, Larson hinted that some drivers might value Daytona 500 victories more than a championship. However, for him, the championship remains the highest achievement.
Larson didn’t downplay the difficulty of winning the Daytona 500, but he pointed out the element of luck involved. You can be the best driver and still get caught in the Big One. A championship is different—you earn it over 36 races. Flipping the question around, Larson made it clear that no matter how many Daytona 500 trophies he had, he’d still chase a championship. Winning three Daytona 500s would be incredible, but without a championship, something would always feel missing.
Larson’s response made one thing clear—he’s not willing to trade his championship for anything. But with his talent, there’s a good chance he won’t have to. Could he join the list of greats who have won both? Only time will tell.
