2 weeks Ago By Joshua Mbu
Kyle Larson is returning to dirt racing during the NASCAR Cup Series' Easter Weekend Break. The Hendrick Motorsports star, who won the Xfinity and Cup Series races last weekend at Bristol , is heading to Knoxville Raceway to jump behind a dirt sprint car's wheel for the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series event. The one-time Cup Series champion will compete in the season opener at the Knoxville, Iowa dirt track, with $12,000 going to each winner of Friday and Saturday's race.
However, Larson will face a stacked field, with an extensive entry list expected. There's a possibility that Larson runs into his Hendrick Motorsports protege, Corey Day, who beat him on dirt at March's Kubota High Limit Racing event in Las Vegas. Larson is considered one of motorsport's well-rounded drivers, and he hasn't been shy with admitting he likes to "embarrass" his rivals .
However, the 32-year-old says his tough love stance isn't to be mean - but to help teach motorsport's up-and-coming stars what it's like to compete with and beat the best. Jim Nantz faces calls to retire after Masters performance on CBS Sports Phil Mickelson pockets huge Masters sum despite failing to make cut at Augusta During an appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Larson said: “When I was a full-time Xfinity guy I loved that the Cup Series, or when Cup guys would run, and they got to run every single week..
. it really pushed me to become a better racecar driver, because I could compare myself to them. “I could race behind them, learn from guys like Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano and Matt Kenseth and whoever else.
I even raced against Jimmie Johnson in an Xfinity race. Sign up to our NASCAR newsletter here. "So I felt like because of that, once Xfinity guys, or even back before me, whatever Busch series or whatever, when they came to Cup, they were ready for Cup because they were competing with Cup guys every Saturday and beating them or getting beat.
But regardless they were learning.” Larson's primary focus is on the Cup Series. The one-time champion recorded a series-high six wins last year but failed to make the Championship 4 race won by Joey Logano.
This year, he already has two and is looking to stage another title challenge. He finds time to compete in the Xfinity and Truck Series', as well as return to his roots on dirt. DON'T MISS.
.. Kyle Busch 'cursed' by Clint Bowyer on FOX NASCAR coverage at Bristol NASCAR car torn apart in terrifying Bristol crash as driver sarcastically blames rival Kyle Busch gives verdict on new teammate Jesse Love ahead of NASCAR Cup Series debut “Well now you don’t get that, so Xfinity guys, I don’t feel like are as good as they once were,” Larson added.
“And definitely not as prepared for Cup as they once were. I think that’s why you see a guy like Ty Gibbs. I really like Ty Gibbs.
He’s an Xfinity Series champion, but he’s yet to win a race. I think a lot of that comes from just the limits that NASCAR’s put on.”.
