Before the September 7 NASCAR playoff race at the World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, Kyle Larson shared a lighthearted moment with actor and comedian Bill Murray. Murray was present as the Grand Marshal for the 2025 Enjoy Illinois 300, where he energized the crowd by delivering the iconic command “Drivers, start your engines!”
Bill Murray’s appointment as Grand Marshal honored both his celebrated career in entertainment and his ties to racing culture, partly through his voice work in Pixar’s Cars franchise and his well-known playful personality. Alongside his official duties initiating the race, Murray performed with his blues-rock band, Bill Murray and His Blood Brothers, enhancing the weekend’s festivities.
During a pre-race exchange, NASCAR personality Kenny Wallace referred to Murray as a “GOAT” of comedy and asked if he embraced that title. Murray responded humorously in front of Larson:
“Well, when you’re a goat, it’s a lonely occupation. Isn’t it, Russ? Isn’t it lonely? And it’s nice that we’re finally travelling in just a small pack today. It feels so powerful. I feel like we could walk through the merch tents and take anything we want. Just walk in.” —Bill Murray, Actor and Comedian
Kyle Larson’s Competitive Season Leading into the Playoffs
Kyle Larson entered the 2025 NASCAR season as a strong contender, demonstrating consistency and skill across multiple series. Despite starting with a 20th-place result at the Daytona 500, he quickly bounced back by securing his 30th Cup Series win at Homestead. Additional victories at Bristol and Kansas gave him three wins by midseason, positioning Larson as a serious championship threat with Hendrick Motorsports.
Gateway Raceway as the Decisive Challenge for Larson’s Championship Hopes
Larson views the upcoming race at the World Wide Technology Raceway, commonly known as Gateway, as a defining moment for his team’s prospects in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship. After a challenging playoff opener at Darlington, where Hendrick Motorsports faced setup problems, Larson plans to use Gateway to regain momentum before heading to the Bristol elimination round.
He noted that Gateway shares important traits with Phoenix, requiring strong braking performance, smooth exit from corners, and a steady rhythm over long laps—all critical to playoff success.
“I think in the years we’ve ran Gateway already, it’s always to me the one track that shows who’s gonna be good at Phoenix,” —Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
Although Larson has encountered difficulties at Gateway in the past, his fourth-place finish there in 2023 remains the best result among Hendrick drivers since the track was added to the Cup schedule in 2022. This history makes Gateway a vital proving ground as Larson aims to solidify his standing in the playoff race.
Significance of the Gateway Race for the Playoff Race Season
The stakes at Gateway extend beyond one race for Kyle Larson and Hendrick Motorsports. Performing well on this track could set the tone for the remainder of the playoffs, especially ahead of the Bristol elimination event. Success here would not only boost Larson’s confidence but also demonstrate the team‘s ability to adjust and compete under pressure.
As Larson enters this key event, the interaction with Bill Murray highlighted the blend of sport and entertainment that surrounds NASCAR’s high-pressure playoff races, adding a touch of levity amid fierce competition.
