Kyle Larson revealed the pivotal conversation that preserved his ability to race sprint cars after joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2021. The reigning Cup Series champion described how Jeff Gordon intervened during contract negotiations to allow Larson full freedom to compete in sprint cars alongside his NASCAR schedule, a level of flexibility no previous Hendrick driver had received. This arrangement ensured Larson could continue balancing both disciplines, cementing the importance of the Kyle Larson sprint car freedom within Hendrick’s framework.
Known for his passion for dirt racing, Larson continues to divide his time between NASCAR events and sprint car, midget, and Late Model races. However, Hendrick Motorsports initially enforced a strict policy prioritizing NASCAR commitments, limiting drivers’ participation in outside competitions.
When Kevin Harvick inquired about Larson’s approach to negotiating sprint car racing rights, Larson admitted he was uncertain how the discussion would unfold. The uncertainty stemmed from Hendrick’s traditional stance and Larson’s recent challenges, including losing his previous ride in 2020.
“What I remember from the conversation was one just kind of being nervous, because I had gone through a big journey in 2020 and losing my job,” Larson said on the ‘Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour’ podcast (9:33 onwards). “And I had this great opportunity in front of me to race for Hendrick Motorsports.”
During the talks, Rick Hendrick asked if there was anything important to Larson. Expecting a firm rejection, Larson requested to keep racing sprint cars. To his surprise, Jeff Gordon immediately supported the idea, indicating a shift in Hendrick’s prior practices and confirming his openness to accommodate Larson’s dirt racing pursuits.
“I’m like, ‘Oh boy, here we go.’ I was like, ‘I’d still really like to race sprint cars.’ And assuming that… seeing Kasey (Kahne) and everybody just be restricted, I thought that they would say, ‘Yeah, no, if you’re going to race for us, you’re going to be committed to this.’ But Jeff (Gordan) jumped right in. He was like, ‘No, we’re changing how we’ve been in the past, and we’re open to it.’ And they’ve never said no to a race that I’ve wanted to run since then, which is pretty incredible. I’m sure Rick would love if I hung it up right now,” Larson continued.
Rick Hendrick later shared a humorous anecdote about his introduction to Larson’s dirt racing exploits, revealing his initial unfamiliarity with the sport and amazement at Larson’s racing style through video footage.
“Listen, I had never watched Dirt Vision,” Rick said. “And so the first time I turned it on, he was turning flips, rolling over, and I text him. I said, ‘Hey, what is this?’ and he said, ‘Well, that’s an old one.’”
Jeff Gordon clarified that discussions regarding Larson’s dirt racing freedom began even earlier, before Larson’s move from Chip Ganassi Racing. In February 2020, during preliminary contract talks, Larson emphasized the importance of dirt racing in his career. Recognizing his growing value and interest from multiple teams, Hendrick moved swiftly to secure Larson’s signature.
Gordon relayed Larson’s priorities within the Hendrick organization, where ensuring driver safety and maintaining NASCAR performance remained core concerns. Despite this, Hendrick agreed to support Larson’s dual racing ambitions, on the condition that his Cup Series responsibilities took precedence and injury risks were minimized.
Larson’s Busy Offseason Reflects Ongoing Commitment to Both Racing Worlds
Since clinching the Cup Series championship in November, Kyle Larson has maintained a demanding offseason filled with sprint car and dirt track events. He celebrated with fans in his hometown of Placerville before competing in prestigious races like the Hangtown 100 and Ventura’s Turkey Night Grand Prix. Additionally, he achieved a High Limit feature victory in Australia, demonstrating his global reach in dirt racing.
Larson also participated in Tulsa’s Winged Outlaw division, finishing fourth, before contesting the Chili Bowl Nationals. Although his title defense at the Chili Bowl ended prematurely on January 17 due to contact and a flip out of the main event, Larson’s heart remains devoted to sprint car competition. Meanwhile, two Cup races into the 2026 season, he continues to fully commit to defending his NASCAR title.
Hendrick Motorsports Doubles Down with Long-Term Deal for Larson
On February 11, Kyle Larson agreed to a five-year contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports, securing his place in the No. 5 Chevrolet through 2031. The deal also includes extensions for primary sponsor HendrickCars.com and crew chief Cliff Daniels. This multi-year commitment underscores the organization’s confidence in Larson’s talent and value both on and off the track.
“This is exciting, because I’ve had my eye on him (Kyle Larson) for a long long time watching sprint cars,” Gordon said (3:48 onwards). “It took us a little while to get him to Hendrick, but Rick and I talked many times about it as if we can get him behind the wheel of our cars with our people, our organization, he’s going to do great things. He’s certainly done that.”
Rick Hendrick reflected on Larson’s career trajectory, admitting that Larson was first brought to his attention well before his Cup breakthrough in 2013. Although opportunities to recruit him came and went, by 2020 it became impossible to overlook his extraordinary talent—even with his deep roots in dirt racing.
The ongoing partnership between Larson, Hendrick Motorsports, and Jeff Gordon illustrates a modern approach to driver management: blending top-tier NASCAR performance with the freedom to chase personal racing passions. This strategy benefits Larson by allowing him to excel across racing disciplines while reinforcing Hendrick’s position as a progressive and supportive team leader.
