This week, Kyle Larson took part in the Indy 500 Open Test. Larson was second on the single-lap speed leaderboard after day one. Kyle Petty says the NASCAR racer is one of the most unique race car drivers.
There is a continuous debate in NASCAR over what it means to be a “superstar” and who qualifies as one. Kyle Larson is on the short list of drivers with superstar potential. However, there has been a noticeable paucity of transcendent talent, a driving force in mainstream culture.
In an interview with Eric Estepp for Out of the Groove, Petty compared Larson to two of the most naturally brilliant drivers in Cup Series history. Larson will attract attention during Memorial Day weekend.
“I can go back to Tim Richmond, probably the most talented race car driver I ever saw,” stated Richard Petty. “Just sit in it and drive it. I don’t care if it’s IndyCar, Sprint Car, or Super Modified; he could do it all. I believe Kyle Busch is the same guy. Put him in anything and he’ll go get it done.
“Kyle Larson is a special talent, and I mean that because Tim came to Cup racing from open-wheel, IndyCar, and found a home here [at NASCAR].” And Kyle [Busch] has found a home here, and he hasn’t gone far,” Petty added. “So we don’t really know what Kyle Busch could have become, or what Kyle Busch could have done if he had taken Kyle Larson’s route or a different route like Tim Richmond’s.
“But when I look at Larson, he’s a little different because we have to speak about him winning the race, not just driving it. He is the first guy, and Tony Stewart was the only other guy I knew of, but Tony had come from open-wheel, so he had the advantage of returning to open-wheel and having a chance at winning.”
Kyle Larson is not a driver who understands how his vehicle operates. While he cannot analyze technological concerns like other drivers, he has the feel. He gets in the race car and feels it through the seat of his pants. Takes it in his hands and tells his staff what he requires.
When compared to the best of the past and today, he is among the elite. Top tier. Larson commands respect on every race track he competes on.
“He is, he’s in that top when I look at it, he is in that top 0.001% of great race car drivers who can do anything any time and can not only do it but can win,” Petty remarked when asked about Larson’s ability.
Larson’s attempt at the Indy 500/Coca-Cola 600 double will be historic. He has the opportunity to put on the best Double Duty performance ever. In 2001, Tony Stewart finished sixth in the Indianapolis 500. He then finished third in the Coca-Cola 600. It was the only occasion a driver completed the full 1100 miles of the double.
While his performance was excellent, Kyle Larson can improve on it. Also, no driver who completed Double Duty has ever finished higher than sixth at Indy. Kurt Busch did it. Tony Stewart did it. Even Robby Gordon did it.
Larson won the Coke 600 in 2021. Since then, he has only become better in and out of the race car. Larson is in a class by himself, having finished in the top five twice. So far, it does not appear unreasonable.
