History of Kyle Larson in Timeline

Kyle Larson is a prominent American professional racing driver. He currently races full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, piloting the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Hendrick Motorsports. Additionally, he participates part-time in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro SS for JR Motorsports. Larson's career has been marked by notable success and skill in motorsports.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1984: First Win for the No. 5 Car

In 2023, Kyle Larson won at Martinsville, marking the first win for the No. 5 car at that track since 1984.

1987: Comparison to Dale Earnhardt

In 2021, Kyle Larson became the first driver since Dale Earnhardt in 1987 to win three straight races twice in the same season.

July 31, 1992: Kyle Larson's Birth

On July 31, 1992, Kyle Miyata Larson, an American professional racing driver, was born.

2006: Comparison to Kasey Kahne

In 2021, Kyle Larson became the first driver since Kasey Kahne in 2006 to sweep both Charlotte races.

2007: Comparison to Jimmie Johnson

In 2021, Kyle Larson became the first driver to have 10 wins and a championship in the same season since Jimmie Johnson did it in the 2007 season.

2010: Sprint Car Track Record at Ocean Speedway

In 2010, Kyle Larson set the sprint car track record at Ocean Speedway.

2011: 2011 4-Crown Nationals Win and Rookie of the Year

In 2011, Kyle Larson won the 4-Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway, winning in all three types of USAC cars in a single night, and was named the 2011 Rookie of the Year.

February 2012: First Race Win in a Full Bodied Stock Car

In February 2012, Kyle Larson won his first race in a full bodied stock car in the Pete Orr Memorial Orange Blossom 100 at New Smyrna Speedway and won again a week later at the speedway during the World Series of Asphalt.

June 28, 2012: Camping World Truck Series Debut

On June 28, 2012, Kyle Larson made his Camping World Truck Series debut at Kentucky Speedway in the No. 4 Chevrolet Silverado for Turner Motorsports, finishing 10th.

2012: Full-Time Move to NASCAR K&N Pro Series East

In 2012, Kyle Larson moved full-time to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East with Rev Racing, scored his first career NASCAR K&N Pro Series East win at Gresham Motorsports Park on June 9, and made his ARCA Racing Series debut at Michigan International Speedway where he finished 13th.

2012: USAC National Midget Races Wins

In 2012, Kyle Larson won six USAC National Midget races, including the Turkey Night Grand Prix.

2012: NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Championship

In 2012, Kyle Larson won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship with two wins, and was also named the K&N Pro Series East Rookie of the Year.

February 2013: Full-Time Competition in NASCAR Nationwide Series

In February 2013, Kyle Larson began competing full-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, driving the No. 32 Chevrolet for Turner Scott Motorsports. He was involved in a violent crash at Daytona, and finished second at Homestead. He also won the Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year award.

April 14, 2013: First Truck Series Win

On April 14, 2013, Kyle Larson scored his first Truck Series win at Rockingham Speedway after holding off Joey Logano. During the celebration, Larson performed donuts without his steering wheel on, prompting NASCAR to request that he keep it attached for safety reasons.

August 27, 2013: Report of Larson Driving No. 42 Car

On August 27, 2013, The Charlotte Observer reported that Kyle Larson would drive the No. 42 car for Chip Ganassi Racing starting in the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

2013: NASCAR Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year

In 2013, Kyle Larson was named the NASCAR Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year.

January 4, 2014: Larson Enters 24 Hours of Daytona

On January 4, 2014, Chip Ganassi Racing announced that Kyle Larson would participate in the 24 Hours of Daytona in the No. 02 car alongside Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, and Marino Franchitti. During a press conference, Larson expressed his admiration for NASCAR drivers and drivers from other racing series.

June 7, 2014: First ARCA Win

On June 7, 2014, Kyle Larson scored his first ARCA win at Pocono Raceway.

June 13, 2014: Larson Announces Expecting First Child

On June 13, 2014, Kyle Larson announced that he and his girlfriend, Katelyn Sweet, were expecting their first child.

December 22, 2014: Birth of Owen Miyata Larson

On December 22, 2014, Owen Miyata Larson, the first child of Kyle Larson and Katelyn Sweet, was born.

2014: Driving No. 42 Car for Chip Ganassi Racing

In 2014, Kyle Larson drove the No. 42 car for Chip Ganassi Racing starting in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

2014: 2014 Daytona 500 and Top-10 Finish at Bristol

In 2014, Kyle Larson experienced challenges at the Daytona 500 and scored his first top-10 finish at Bristol Motor Speedway. At Auto Club Speedway, Larson finished second to Kyle Busch, his career-best finish in the Cup Series.

2014: Return to Nationwide Series and First Win

In 2014, Kyle Larson returned to the Nationwide Series, driving the No. 42 car part-time. On March 22, Larson scored his first career Nationwide Series win at Auto Club Speedway and also scored his second Nationwide Series win of the season at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

2014: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year

In 2014, Kyle Larson was named the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year.

2015: 34th-Place Finish at Daytona 500 and Hospitalization

In 2015, Kyle Larson began the season with a 34th-place finish at the Daytona 500. He was hospitalized due to dehydration after fainting, and finished 19th in the points standings after a disappointing season.

2015: Part-time Racing in No. 42 Car and Season Finale Win

In 2015, Kyle Larson ran part-time again in the No. 42 car for HScott Motorsports, winning the season finale at Homestead and securing the first win for HScott Motorsports.

2015: 24 Hours of Daytona Win

In 2015, Kyle Larson won the 24 Hours of Daytona with CGR.

2015: Larson Wins the 24 Hours of Daytona

In 2015, Kyle Larson, driving the No. 02 Ford Daytona Prototype with Chip Ganassi Racing teammates Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, and Jamie McMurray, won the 24 Hours of Daytona race.

2016: Part-time Competition for CGR with Wins

In 2016, Kyle Larson continued to compete part-time for CGR, scoring wins at Pocono and Texas.

2016: Drove No. 24 truck for GMS Racing and won at Eldora Speedway

In 2016, Kyle Larson drove the No. 24 truck for GMS Racing at Martinsville Speedway where he finished 4th, and he won at Eldora Speedway.

2016: Larson Returns for 24 Hours of Daytona with Brake Issues

In 2016, Kyle Larson participated in the 24 Hours of Daytona again, driving the Ford EcoBoost Daytona Prototype for Chip Ganassi Racing with the same winning team from 2015. However, the team encountered brake failure issues throughout the race.

2016: Seventh-Place Finish at Daytona 500 and Sprint Showdown Win

In 2016, Kyle Larson started the season with a seventh-place finish at the Daytona 500. He also won the Sprint Showdown to earn a spot into the All-Star Race.

November 8, 2017: Larson Announces Expecting Second Child

On November 8, 2017, Kyle Larson announced on social media that he and Katelyn were expecting their second child, due in May 2018.

December 22, 2017: Larson and Sweet Get Engaged

On December 22, 2017, Kyle Larson and Katelyn Sweet became engaged.

2017: Full Ownership of Kyle Larson Racing

After the 2017 season, Kyle Larson acquired full ownership of the World of Outlaws sprint car team named Kyle Larson Racing. It was formerly named Larson Marks Racing.

2017: Fuel issue at Daytona 500 and Win at Auto Club Speedway

In 2017, Kyle Larson led late at the Daytona 500 but ran out of fuel on the final lap. On March 26, Larson scored his second career Cup Series win at Auto Club Speedway.

2017: Larson Cameo in Logan Lucky

In 2017, Kyle Larson made a cameo appearance as a limo driver in the film Logan Lucky.

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May 2018: Birth of Audrey Layne Larson

In May 2018, Audrey Layne Larson, Kyle Larson and Katelyn Sweet's second child, was born.

September 26, 2018: Larson and Sweet Get Married

On September 26, 2018, Kyle Larson and Katelyn Sweet were married.

December 18, 2018: FBI Raids DC Solar Headquarters

On December 18, 2018, the FBI raided the headquarters of DC Solar, which was Kyle Larson's primary sponsor at the time. This event occurred before the start of the 2019 season, leading to Larson losing his sponsor.

2018: Playoff Appearance and Charlotte Roval Incident

In 2018, despite being winless, Kyle Larson made it to the playoffs with consistent top finishes. He was involved in a multi-car wreck at the Charlotte Roval, but advanced into the Round of 12.

2018: Talladega and Kansas Races in 2018

In 2018, during the Talladega fall race, Kyle Larson spun out after blowing a tire and his team was docked points for violating the damaged vehicle policy. He was eliminated in the Round of 12 after finishing third at the Kansas fall race.

2019: Crew Chief for Jimmie Johnson

In 2022, Kevin Meendering, who served as a crew chief for Jimmie Johnson during the 2019 season, filled in for Cliff Daniels, Kyle Larson's crew chief, who was suspended.

January 18, 2020: Chili Bowl Nationals Win

On January 18, 2020, Kyle Larson won his first Chili Bowl Nationals, defeating three-time winner Christopher Bell.

February 28, 2020: Re-joining GMS Racing and subsequent release

On February 28, 2020, Kyle Larson announced he would be re-joining GMS Racing to drive the No. 24 truck at Homestead-Miami Speedway to pursue a bounty offered by Kevin Harvick to full-time Cup drivers to beat Kyle Busch. Following his suspension from NASCAR, Larson was released from the team.

August 2020: Dirt Late Model Debut Win

In August 2020, Kyle Larson made his debut in a dirt late model at Port Royal Speedway in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and won in his second start after leading flag-to-flag.

October 28, 2020: Hendrick Motorsports Signs Larson

On October 28, 2020, Hendrick Motorsports announced they had signed Kyle Larson to a multi-year deal to drive the No. 5 car starting in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season.

2020: Kyle Larson Racing Team Closure

Kyle Larson's World of Outlaws sprint car team, Kyle Larson Racing, closed following the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other issues.

January 1, 2021: NASCAR Reinstatement

On January 1, 2021, NASCAR reinstated Kyle Larson's competition privileges, after his suspension.

January 16, 2021: Second Consecutive Chili Bowl Nationals Win

On January 16, 2021, Kyle Larson secured his second consecutive Chili Bowl Nationals victory.

March 17, 2021: Driving for Niece Motorsports at Bristol dirt race

On March 17, 2021, it was announced that Kyle Larson would drive the No. 44 truck for Niece Motorsports at the inaugural Bristol dirt race. Larson finished 35th after crashing into Danny Bohn on lap 100.

2021: K. Larson in 2021

In 2021, K. Larson.

2021: First NASCAR Cup Series Championship

In 2021, Kyle Larson won his tenth race of the season at Phoenix, clinching his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. He achieved 10 wins, 18 stage wins, 20 top-fives, 26 top-tens, and led 2,581 laps, with an average finish of 9.1.

2022: Drove the No. 17 Car and won at Watkins Glen

In 2022, Kyle Larson drove the No. 17 car for HMS at Road America, where he finished second to Ty Gibbs, and Larson won at Watkins Glen.

2022: Win at Auto Club Speedway

In 2022, Kyle Larson started on the pole at the Daytona 500 and was involved in a crash. The following week, he secured his first win of the season at Auto Club Speedway.

December 31, 2022: Birth of Cooper Donald Larson

On December 31, 2022, Kyle Larson and Katelyn welcomed their third child, Cooper Donald Larson.

January 12, 2023: Larson to Attempt Indianapolis 500

On January 12, 2023, it was announced that Kyle Larson would attempt to qualify for the 2024 Indianapolis 500 with Arrow McLaren and Hendrick Motorsports, aiming to become the fifth driver to attempt the double.

2023: Win at North Wilkesboro

In 2023, Kyle Larson drove the No. 7 truck for Spire Motorsports at North Wilkesboro where he won the race.

2023: Named One of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers

In 2023, Kyle Larson was named one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers.

2023: Win at Darlington

In 2023, Kyle Larson won at Darlington after a last lap pass on John Hunter Nemechek.

2023: Knoxville Nationals Win

In 2023, Kyle Larson won the Knoxville Nationals.

September 10, 2024: Larson to return to 2025 Indianapolis 500

On September 10, 2024, it was announced that Kyle Larson would return to the 2025 Indianapolis 500 after McLaren agreed to exercise the second-year option.

2024: J. Logano in 2024

In 2024, J. Logano.

2024: Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year

In 2024, Kyle Larson was named the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year.

2024: Win at Circuit of the Americas

In 2024, Kyle Larson won at Circuit of the Americas after overtaking Shane van Gisbergen and Austin Hill on the final lap.

2024: Knoxville Nationals Win

In 2024, Kyle Larson won the Knoxville Nationals for the third time.

January 18, 2025: Third Chili Bowl Nationals Win

On January 18, 2025, Kyle Larson achieved his third Chili Bowl Nationals victory, leading the entire 40-lap race from the pole position.

March 4, 2025: Announcement of Races in No. 07 Truck and Win at Homestead

On March 4, 2025, it was announced that Kyle Larson would compete in two races in the No. 07 truck for Spire Motorsports. Larson won at Homestead after overcoming a late race spin.

2025: I. Kitzmiller in 2025

In 2025, I. Kitzmiller.

2025: Win at Bristol and Substitution at Texas

In 2025, Kyle Larson won at Bristol and substituted for Connor Zilisch at Texas where he scored his second Xfinity Series win of the season.

2025: NASCAR Cup Series Championship

In 2025, Kyle Larson won the NASCAR Cup Series Championship.

2025: Larson Crashes at Indianapolis 500

In 2025, at the Indianapolis 500, Kyle Larson crashed in turn two on lap 91, also involving Kyffin Simpson and Sting Ray Robb. He initially finished 27th but was later credited with 24th place after other cars failed post-race inspection.