Since retiring from full-time racing, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has remained deeply involved in NASCAR, frequently engaging with drivers and serving as a bridge between them and the public. For years, Kyle Larson didn’t seem to enjoy superspeedway racing, but that perception may have changed after his strong performance at Atlanta, where he contended for the win in overtime and finished third.
Following the race, Earnhardt reached out to Larson. “I texted him and said, ‘What you did today looked fun and badass from where I was sitting,’” Earnhardt shared on ‘The Dale Jr. Download.’ “‘That’s exactly how Daytona and Talladega used to be you could make moves, show skill, and control your own destiny. I believe you would have thrived in that era. But what you did today was pretty much what it was like back then.’”
Larson’s response? “Man, today was fun as hell.” Earnhardt was thrilled by that reaction, noting that if Larson is beginning to embrace superspeedway racing, the rest of the NASCAR field should be on alert. Already considered one of the best all-around drivers, Larson’s growing confidence on these tracks could make him even more dangerous.
“Kyle Larson is arguably the best driver in the series,” Earnhardt said. “There are a few others in that conversation, but I want him to enjoy racing at Daytona. It’s the cornerstone of our sport, and the Daytona 500 is our most important race. I want our best drivers to be excited about it.”
Earnhardt acknowledged that Larson hasn’t had the opportunity to race in what he considers a golden era of superspeedway competition, pointing to 2004 as an ideal time for restrictor-plate racing. However, he believes the sport may be trending back in that direction.
“In that era, drivers had more control and could make their own choices,” Earnhardt explained. “I was a little disappointed to hear Larson didn’t enjoy Daytona and Talladega for years it’s understandable because the racing can be frustrating. But after hearing his excitement at Atlanta, I thought, ‘If Daytona and Talladega start trending that way, oh man.’ That was pretty cool to see.”
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