11/12/2021
Dirt2Media
Column: Kyle Larson...GOAT?
Wayne Gretzky, Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth these names bring about thoughts of athletic greatness beyond understanding. While many of these sport superstars names can bring about debate on who in their area of sports is truly the greatest of all time in the world of motorsports racing the picture is becoming clearer.
Kyle Larson has completed the greatest racing season in the history of motorsports in 2021, that is undeniable. Kyle stormed back onto the scene following a suspension from Nascar in 2020 to capture wins in the following key events:
Chili Bowl Nationals
Kings Royal
Prairie Dirt Classic
Knoxville Nationals
BC39
Coca Cola 600
Nascar All-Star Race
According to www.thethirdturn.com, Larson has started a total of 89 races during 2021, winning an astonishing 30 times. Even more impressive of the 80 races Larson has finished in the top ten 72 times and top five 57 times with only 3 DNF's during the stretch.
Larson completed these unheard of statistics while racing top level competition in the Nascar Cup Series, World Of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, Lucas Oil Late Model Series, Castrol Flo Racing Late Model Night in America, and many more.
While Larson just recently wrapped up his 2021 Nascar Cup campaign by capturing the championship and finishing with 10 total wins on the season, this magical season is far from finished. Larson is expected to race on dirt several more times in November and December. If you plan to place money on someone I would put your money on "Yung Money" every time.
There have been better Nascar seasons, better WOO seasons, more dominant Lucas Oil Late Model performances, but never have we seen a driver transition between 4 different types of race cars so fluidly and win at such a high rate.
On May 12, 2021 the Castrol Flo Racing Late Model Night in America showed up to our home track of Brownstown Speedway. Walking to the pits I walked in with Kyle Larson and thanked him for being at Brownstown that night. When I asked him what it was like to go back and forth between midgets, sprint cars, cup cars, and late models he commented and said, "The Late Model is the most different of all of them, but thats what makes it fun, I love the challenge." You could tell from his comment the excitement, hunger, and drive that Larson had to show just how much talent he had.
While some of you still may disagree and not one to crown Kyle Larson the GOAT of motorsports, I will defer to one of my heroes growing up and one of the greatest drivers in motorsports history Tony Stewart. After watching Kyle Larson win the 2021 Nascar Cup Series Championship Tony tweeted, "Congratulations to the best race car driver I've ever seen. @KyleLarsonRacin". High words from a multi-time champion.
The next step is Kyle Larson is finding a way to Indy in May to run 500 Miles.
Article Credit: Dustin Roller