Kyle Larson is widely regarded as one of the best drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series, with some even arguing he’s the greatest, especially given his success beyond NASCAR. A key factor behind the 2021 Cup Series champion’s impressive performances is his relentless drive to push both himself and his car to the limit. However, that aggressive approach can sometimes lead to mistakes.
Larson showcased both his skill and occasional errors during Friday night’s Truck Series race at Homestead. In the final stage, he spun out but managed to fight his way back through the field to claim an impressive victory. His ability to recover from setbacks is part of what makes him such a formidable competitor.
On Saturday, NASCAR’s X account reminded fans of a memorable misstep Larson made at the same Florida track during a Cup Series race a couple of years ago. The incident became a major talking point and was featured on sports highlight reels that evening.
The mistake happened on Lap 213 while Larson was following Ryan Blaney down pit road. In his effort to maximize speed, Larson misjudged his braking point and locked up the brakes. His No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports car slammed into the sand-filled barrels at the entrance to pit road, sending sand and debris flying across the track. The crash led to a lengthy red-flag delay as officials worked to clean up the mess.
NASCAR’s post, which included video footage from multiple angles, playfully warned, “Watch out for those barrels.” During the NBC broadcast, Larson reflected on the incident, explaining that he was trying to get to the pit road line as quickly as possible and didn’t expect Blaney to slow down so early. From his perspective, it seemed like Blaney braked much sooner than expected, leading to the crash. Larson said he planned to review data to better understand how his speed compared to pit road limits.
That race ended with a disappointing 34th-place finish for Larson. He finished 13th in 2024 but claimed victory at Homestead in 2022. As he prepares for Sunday’s Cup Series race, many consider him a top contender once again. The race coverage starts at 3 p.m. ET on FS1.
