Kyle Larson, the Hendrick Motorsports driver, recently expressed admiration for his team’s extraordinary achievements showcased in the American Thunder movie. The film captures Hendrick Motorsports’ bold transition from NASCAR to competing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of the world’s most prestigious endurance races.
In 2023, Hendrick Motorsports partnered with Chevrolet, Goodyear, IMSA, and NASCAR to develop and field the Camaro ZL1 in the innovative class at Le Mans. Their project took over two years of preparation and quickly won over fans with its impressive speed and durability, outperforming several traditional GT-class competitors on the track.
Exceptional Drivers and Team Effort Behind Hendrick Motorsports’ Le Mans Campaign
The Le Mans entry featured an all-star lineup, including seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, 2010 Le Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller, and 2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button. Kyle Larson praised their combined effort and the team’s resilience throughout the challenging endurance race.
Hendrick Motorsports finished the event in 39th place out of 62 competitors, surpassing expectations and outpacing some teams in the GTE Am category. The documentary also sheds light on how prominent team figures such as Jeff Gordon and Johnson took part in racing a NASCAR stock car during the race weekend at Le Mans.
Kyle Larson Compares NASCAR’s Racing Purity to Formula One’s Technology-Driven Approach
During a June 2025 appearance on the ‘That Guy Garf’ YouTube channel, Kyle Larson discussed his views on the differences between NASCAR and Formula One. He emphasized the high costs and star-studded presence surrounding F1 events, highlighting the sophisticated technology used in that series.
The Hendrick Motorsports driver argued that for fans wanting “pure racing,” NASCAR remains the superior choice, pointing to the frequent and intense battles on the track. Larson cited the use of the Drag Reduction System (DRS) in F1, which aids overtaking but to him reduces the authenticity of the competition.
“But if you’re looking for like pure racing, our product is amazing. I mean, there’s actually passing, there’s battles for the lead. It’s tough to pass in Formula 1 — they have to have DRS to even allow passing, so that kind of makes it fake in my opinion.” —Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports driver
“NASCAR Cup racing is, and too, I think NASCAR gets a bad rap a lot of times for being, like, redneck or not technical at all. But the amount of data that we have in our cars and the stuff that goes on behind the scenes — with drivers’ fitness and the engineering and all that, like, yes, it’s not to Formula 1’s level on the engineering side, but NASCAR is way more technical than people give it credit for,” he added. —Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports driver
Kyle Larson’s Current NASCAR Season Performance
This season, Kyle Larson holds third place in the NASCAR Cup Series standings with 613 points. In 19 starts, he has earned one pole position along with nine top-five finishes and 12 top-ten finishes, demonstrating consistency and competitive strength throughout the campaign.
Significance of Hendrick Motorsports’ Le Mans Success and What Lies Ahead
Hendrick Motorsports’ entry into the 24 Hours of Le Mans represents a groundbreaking moment for the team, blending American stock car racing heritage with the demanding world of endurance racing. Their performance, as praised by Larson, proves the organization’s ability to innovate and compete beyond traditional boundaries.
With drivers like Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, and Kyle Larson leading the charge, Hendrick Motorsports is positioned to expand its presence in global motorsports, potentially inspiring other NASCAR teams to explore diverse racing challenges. As the American Thunder documentary highlights, this venture symbolizes the team’s relentless pursuit of excellence and the spirit of overcoming the improbable.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Kyle Larson better than Verstappen?
A. Larson might not surpass Verstappen in Formula 1, but he’s more adaptable than anyone else. According to Bianchi, his success in many different cars is impressive.
