Kyle Larson, the 33-year-old driver for Hendrick Motorsports, recently celebrated his second NASCAR Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway. Instead of taking a break during the offseason, Larson is diving back into racing, focusing on dirt tracks until the start of the 2026 season.
During a championship celebration in Elk Grove, California, Larson shared his offseason plans. He expressed excitement for upcoming races, stating, “Hopefully, if the weather breaks, we’ll get to race midgets this weekend at Placerville, and then I’ll be back in a couple weeks for a Turkey night in Ventura. Then I go to Australia for a weekend over New Year’s and then the [Tulsa] shootout.” Although he is uncertain about participating in the Tulsa Shootout, Larson hopes to return from Australia in time to spend quality moments with his children.
Further along in the offseason, he plans to compete in the Chili Bowl Nationals and race at the Volusia Speedway with the World of Outlaws. “Not sure yet, but yeah, I mean, looking at the calendar, the offseason kind of rolls by pretty quick with all the racing I do,” he added.
Despite the demanding schedule that NASCAR professionals typically face, Larson’s enthusiasm for racing remains unabated. Winning a second championship has not altered his determination to stay active on the track. While it would be reasonable for him to take some time to relax, his passion for racing drives him to continue competing.
Larson’s recent experience at the 2025 Hangtown 100, a USAC event, was a testament to his versatility. As he approached Victory Lane, his chances were abruptly diminished after a collision with fellow driver Daison Pursley. With five laps left, the competitive atmosphere shifted dramatically. Pursley’s maneuver led to an accident that forced Larson to retire from the event, despite having a strong performance up to that point. “We had a good car, a good race going. Daison must have built a run on the cushion behind me,” Larson reflected on the incident.
Although he did not secure victory in that race, Larson’s ability to jump from a championship-winning Cup Series car to a midget car highlights his exceptional talent and adaptability. It is clear that for Larson, the concepts of downtime and offseason do not apply as he continues to pursue his passion for racing with fervor.
