Reigning NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Larson is a man who rarely needs an introduction to any fan of stock car racing or racing in general. Driving hendrickcars.com’s #5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has been one of the most successful finds in the Cup Series by team owner Rick Hendrick, for whom Larson currently drives.
The Elk Grove, California native did not have the easiest path to his championship-winning year of 2021. Driving for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2020, Larson was suspended from competing in the top echelon of stock car racing due to his use of a racial slur in an online iRacing event that was broadcast live to audiences around the world. Most of Larson’s sponsors also canceled their contracts with the then-JGR driver for violating protocol and contract terms.
The now 30-year-old was heard performing a mic check with his spotter during the race and said:
“Can’t you hear me? Nigga”
After spending half of the 2020 Cup season on the sidelines, Hendrick Motorsports’ Rick Hendrick decided to give Kyle Larson a shot in his team’s #5 Chevrolet because of the talent behind the wheel. Larson was sponsored by Mr. Hendrick himself, with one of his group’s companies appearing on the car to date.
Kyle Larson’s background has not been associated with racing, which meant his championship victory meant even more to him and his family. The Larson family got into racing by chance when they saw their neighbors hit the go-kart tracks in 1999 and decided to do it themselves. Seven-year-old Kyle got into the car driving aspect early on and turned his attention to outlaw go-karting once the family decided to go to the races, according to his father.
So who is Kyle Larson’s father?
The son of Mike and Janet Larson, Kyle Larson credits his father Mike Larson for his success and inspiration throughout his career. Mike Larson, the son of an interracial marriage, is American, while Kyle’s mother, Janet Larson, is Japanese. This makes the 30-year-old driver the only Asian-American driver in the field in 2022.
Happy Father’s Day to all dads and especially my dad Mikey boy! https://t.co/SjEaMPoNgK
Kyle Larson addressed the role his father played in making him fit for a career in motorsports, saying:
“My dad is definitely one of my biggest role models. He has always been there to support me and give me advice, both on and off the track. Since I started running, both he and my mom taught me to be respectful of others. .competitors and encouraged me to have a good attitude no matter what happened on the track.”
Watch Kyle Larson take on Kansas Speedway next weekend as he tries to visit Victory Lane at the Hollywood Casino 400 on Sunday.
Coming soon!
Coming soon!