Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, strengthened his bond with Kansas City on Friday by visiting the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. This Kyle Larson Chiefs visit included meeting quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and coach Andy Reid, where Larson and Mahomes exchanged a driver’s suit and a Chiefs jersey.
Both Larson and the Chiefs are preparing for critical contests on Sunday. Larson, who has won two of the last three races at Kansas Speedway, aims to secure a spot in the Round of 8 of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at the Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by ESPN BET, airing at 3 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, the Chiefs, with a strong 1-2 start to the NFL season, will face the Baltimore Ravens.
Behind the Scenes: How the Chiefs Connection Came Together
This unique opportunity was arranged by Chiefs general manager Brett Veach, who organized Larson’s visit to the team’s facility during Friday’s NASCAR practice session. Larson reflected on Veach’s role and the experience before final practice on Saturday at Kansas Speedway.
Brett Veach… I didn’t know it until a couple years ago, but he’s a big fan of mine,
Kyle Larson said.
He had us out and hosted us earlier this year, and then he was able to line it up again this time. It was really cool. We had (crew chief) Cliff (Daniels) out there, and (William Byron’s crew chief) Rudy Fugle is a huge Chiefs fan, so it was really neat to be there.
Larson also appreciated getting insight into the Chiefs’ preparation as he attended their quarterback meeting before practice.
We got to sit in the quarterback meeting before the practice, so that was really cool to see how they operate and prep for a practice. That was kind of a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it was cool to do that. Everybody there is extremely nice. I think because Brett’s such a big fan and talks about racing a lot, they kind of get it, so it’s cool.
Kyle Larson’s Kansas Speedway Track Success Fuels Playoff Push
Larson enters Sunday’s race as the only repeat winner of the last 10 Kansas Speedway events, securing three victories during that span. Currently third in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, he holds a 41-point cushion above the elimination line in the playoffs. His familiarity and success at Kansas Speedway reinforce his determination to advance further this postseason.
This visit with the Chiefs not only symbolizes Larson’s growing connection to Kansas City but also adds a vibrant layer to his motivation heading into a pivotal NASCAR playoff race. With both him and the Chiefs facing tough challenges this weekend, the exchange underscores the mutual respect and community spirit linking two lead competitors in different sports.
