History of Kyle Larson in Timeline
Kyle Larson is an American professional racing driver, notable for competing across multiple NASCAR series (Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series) with Hendrick Motorsports, JR Motorsports, and Spire Motorsports. He also races in the NTT IndyCar Series with Arrow McLaren. Larson's diverse racing portfolio highlights his skill and versatility across different racing formats.
1984: First Win for No. 5 Car Since 1984
In 1984, it was the last time the No. 5 car had won at Martinsville. In 2023, Larson scored his 20th career Cup Series win at Richmond. Two weeks later, he won at Martinsville and it was also the first win for the No. 5 car at that track since 1984.
1987: Earnhardt Wins Three Straight Races Twice in One Season
In 1987, Dale Earnhardt achieved the feat of winning three straight races twice in the same season, a milestone that Kyle Larson would later match. In the Round of 8, Larson scored his eighth win of the season at Texas to secure a spot into the Championship 4. A week later at Kansas, he scored his ninth win of the season and 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 was born. He is an American professional racing driver.
2006: Kahne Sweeps Both Charlotte Races
In 2006, Kasey Kahne swept both Charlotte races, a feat that Kyle Larson would later match in a subsequent season. At the Charlotte Roval, Larson scored his seventh win of the season after he overcame electrical issues. He became the first driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to win three different road courses in the same season and also became the first driver since Kasey Kahne in 2006 to sweep both Charlotte races.
2007: Jimmie Johnson Achieves 10 Wins and Championship
In 2007, Jimmie Johnson achieved the milestone of having 10 wins and winning a championship in the same season, a feat that Kyle Larson would later match. In the season finale at Phoenix in 2021, Larson started on the pole and led 107 laps en route to his tenth win of the season and clinched his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. He became the first driver to have 10 wins and a championship in the same season since Jimmie Johnson did it in 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 at Eldora Speedway win
In 2011, Kyle Larson won the 4-Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway, winning in all three types of USAC cars in a single night. He also won two silver crown races that season and was named the 2011 Rookie of the Year.
February 2012: First race in a full bodied stock car win
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. A week later, he won again 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 and finished 10th.
2012: Full-time in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East
In 2012, Kyle Larson competed full-time in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East with Rev Racing. On June 9, he scored his first career NASCAR K&N Pro Series East win at Gresham Motorsports Park and scored his second K&N Pro Series East win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. On June 15, he finished 13th in his ARCA Racing Series debut at Michigan International Speedway.
2012: Six USAC National Midget races win
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 2 wins and 12 top tens in 14 races. He was also named the K&N Pro Series East Rookie of the Year.
February 2013: Full-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series
In February 2013, it was announced that Kyle Larson would compete 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 2nd at Homestead. Larson won the Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year award.
April 14, 2013: First Career Truck Series win
On April 14, 2013, Kyle Larson scored his first career Truck Series win at Rockingham Speedway after he held off Joey Logano. During the celebration, Larson performed donuts without his steering wheel on, a practice he had acquired when racing go-karts.
August 27, 2013: Reported driving for Chip Ganassi Racing
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.
January 4, 2014: Larson to enter 24 Hours of Daytona
On January 4, 2014, Chip Ganassi Racing announced that Larson would participate in the 24 Hours of Daytona in the No. 02 car with Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, and Marino Franchitti. Larson expressed excitement about working with renowned drivers.
June 7, 2014: First ARCA win at Pocono Raceway
On June 7, 2014, Kyle Larson scored his first ARCA win at Pocono Raceway.
June 13, 2014: Larson announces first child
On June 13, 2014, Kyle Larson announced that he and his girlfriend were expecting their first child.
December 22, 2014: Owen Miyata Larson was born
On December 22, 2014, Owen Miyata Larson, Kyle Larson's first child, was born.
2014: Return in the Nationwide Series
In 2014, Kyle Larson returned in the Nationwide Series to drive the No. 42 car part-time. On March 22, Larson scored his first career Nationwide Series win at Auto Club Speedway. Two months later, Larson won at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
2014: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season
In 2014, Kyle Larson was reported to drive the No. 42 car for Chip Ganassi Racing starting in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.
2014: Racing in the Daytona 500
In 2014, at the Daytona 500, Kyle Larson got into the wall twice and spun out on lap 22. On lap 163, he got wrecked by another rookie contender Austin Dillon. He scored his first career top-10 finish at Bristol Motor Speedway and finished 2nd to Kyle Busch at Auto Club Speedway. At Richmond Raceway, Larson recorded a speed of 126.880 miles per hour.
2015: Part-time in the No. 42 car for HScott Motorsports
In 2015, Kyle Larson ran part-time again in the No. 42 car for HScott Motorsports. He won the season finale at Homestead and 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, Larson, alongside Chip Ganassi Racing teammates Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, and Jamie McMurray, won the 24 Hours of Daytona in the No. 02 Ford Daytona Prototype.
2015: DNF at Daytona 500
Kyle Larson had a DNF at the 2015 Daytona 500. He fainted at Martinsville and was hospitalized, being replaced by Regan Smith. He was later diagnosed with dehydration. He finished 19th in the points standings after a disappointing season.
May 21, 2016: Sprint Showdown win
On May 21, 2016, Kyle Larson won the Sprint Showdown after edging out rookie contender Chase Elliott to earn a spot into the All-Star Race. At the 2016 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Larson took the lead on the final restart but was caught by Joey Logano and Larson hit the outside wall with two laps to go and finished 16th.
2016: Part-time for CGR
In 2016, Kyle Larson continued to compete part-time for CGR. He scored 2 wins at Pocono and Texas.
2016: Drove the No. 24 truck for GMS Racing at Martinsville Speedway
In 2016, Kyle Larson drove the No. 24 truck for GMS Racing at Martinsville Speedway where he finished 4th. On July 20, Larson won at Eldora Speedway.
2016: Larson returns to 24 Hours of Daytona
In 2016, Larson participated in the 24 Hours of Daytona again in the Ford EcoBoost Daytona Prototype for Chip Ganassi Racing, with the same team from the 2015 winning car, but the team faced brake failure issues during the race.
November 8, 2017: Larson announces 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 became engaged
On December 22, 2017, Kyle Larson and Katelyn Sweet became engaged.
2017: Leading at Daytona 500 and wins at Auto Club Speedway and Michigan
At the 2017 Daytona 500, Kyle Larson was leading late only to run out of fuel on the final lap and finished in 12th. After three consecutive second-place finishes, Larson moved up to 1st in the points standings. On March 26, Larson scored his second career Cup Series win at Auto Club Speedway from the pole. Larson scored his second win of the season at Michigan.
2017: Larson Acquires Full Ownership of Kyle Larson Racing
In 2017, Kyle Larson acquired full ownership of Kyle Larson Racing, a World of Outlaws sprint car team, formerly named Larson Marks Racing.
2017: Larson appears in Logan Lucky
In 2017, Kyle Larson made a cameo appearance as a limo driver in the film Logan Lucky.
May 2018: Birth of Audrey Layne Larson
In May 2018, Kyle Larson and Katelyn Sweet welcomed their second child, Audrey Layne Larson.
September 26, 2018: Larson and Sweet marry
On September 26, 2018, Kyle Larson and Katelyn Sweet were married.
December 18, 2018: DC Solar headquarters raided by the FBI
Before the start of the 2019 season, on December 18, 2018, Kyle Larson lost his primary sponsor DC Solar, whose headquarters had been raided by the FBI.
2018: Bad luck at Talladega and elimination from the Round of 12
In 2018, Kyle Larson experienced bad luck at the Talladega fall race when he blew a right front tire and spun out. He was docked points for violating the damaged vehicle policy. He finished 3rd at the Kansas fall race but was eliminated from the Round of 12, finishing the season ninth in the points standings.
2018: Playoff Contender
In 2018, despite being winless throughout the season, Kyle Larson made it to the playoffs due to consistent performance. At the Charlotte Roval, Larson was in contention for the win until a multi-car wreck. He advanced into the Round of 12.
February 26, 2019: Controversy on NBC Sports segment
On February 26, 2019, Kyle Larson sparked controversy on the NBC Sports segment Splash & Go! with host Rick Allen when he jokingly implied that Hendrick Motorsports starts "cheating and finding some speed" a couple of months into the start of a season. Larson later apologized to Rick Hendrick for his comments.
2019: Kevin Meendering Crew Chief for Jimmie Johnson
In 2019, Kevin Meendering served as a crew chief for Jimmie Johnson. In 2022, at Sonoma, Larson's No. 5 car lost a wheel on lap 84. Two days later, crew chief Cliff Daniels was suspended for four races and Kevin Meendering, who served as a crew chief for Jimmie Johnson during the 2019 season, filled in for Cliff.
2019: Larson involved in major accident at Talladega and wins All-Star Race
In 2019, during the Talladega spring race, Kyle Larson was involved in a significant accident where his car went airborne and rolled over several times, though he was uninjured. On May 18, 2019, Larson won the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race. Also, after finishing 2nd at Darlington, Larson secured his spot in the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, despite not having any wins.
January 18, 2020: Larson Wins First Chili Bowl Nationals
On January 18, 2020, Kyle Larson won his first Chili Bowl Nationals.
February 28, 2020: Re-joining GMS Racing announcement
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.
April 13, 2020: Larson Suspended by Chip Ganassi Racing and NASCAR
On April 13, 2020, Kyle Larson was indefinitely suspended by Chip Ganassi Racing without pay after using a racial slur during an iRacing event the day before. Shortly after, NASCAR also indefinitely suspended Larson and required him to complete sensitivity training. Multiple corporations, including McDonald's, Credit One Bank, and Chevrolet, ended their sponsorship. The following day, CGR fired Larson. Matt Kenseth took over the No. 42 car for the rest of the 2020 season starting April 27, 2020.
August 2020: Larson Wins in Dirt Late Model Debut
In August 2020, after a test at Cherokee Speedway, Kyle Larson announced he would debut in a dirt late model at Port Royal Speedway in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series for owner Kevin Rumley. After finishing 5th on the first night, Larson led flag-to-flag in the second night's race to win in his second dirt late model start.
October 2020: Larson Permitted to Continue Dirt Racing
Following his reinstatement by NASCAR and signing with Hendrick Motorsports in October 2020, Kyle Larson noted in an interview with The Dale Jr. Download that he would be permitted to continue dirt racing, in addition to the Cup Series, provided the latter be his primary commitment.
October 2020: Larson Apologizes and Takes Accountability
In October 2020, after months of inactivity on social media, Kyle Larson posted an essay on his website, apologizing for using a racial slur and denying it represented who he was. Larson accepted accountability for his actions, including his suspension and dismissal from CGR. He stated that he completed sensitivity training and engaged in additional activities, such as visiting Minnesota after George Floyd's murder and attending classes to learn more about the African-American community.
October 28, 2020: Hendrick Motorsports Signs Larson to Multi-Year Deal
On October 28, 2020, Hendrick Motorsports announced they signed Kyle Larson to a multi-year deal to drive the No. 5 car starting in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season. Hendrick would self-sponsor the car through HendrickCars.com and NationsGuard until long-term sponsors were found. The team also negotiated a clause in the contract allowing Larson to continue racing dirt races, provided he focused primarily on the Cup program.
2020: Closure of Kyle Larson Racing
In 2020, Kyle Larson Racing closed following the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other issues. Larson owned the World of Outlaws sprint car team that fielded a car for Carson Macedo.
2020: Larson's season start and suspension due to COVID-19
In 2020, Kyle Larson started the season with a 10th-place finish at the Daytona 500. During the Auto Club 400, Denny Hamlin turned Larson into the turn 1 wall, resulting in a 21st-place finish. When the season was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Larson was seventh in the points standings with 1 top five and 2 top ten finishes.
2020: Larson Wins Mitch Smith Memorial and Pennsylvania Speedweek
In 2020, Kyle Larson won the Mitch Smith Memorial at Williams Grove Speedway on July 3. The following night, he won again in the final event at Port Royal Speedway. Larson won the Pennsylvania Speedweek title with four wins and three podiums. Larson competed in the All Star Circuit of Champions sprint cars at Knoxville Raceway where he scored his seventh consecutive win. Following the 2020 season, Larson was named the 410 Sprint Car Driver of the Year.
2020: Larson's USAC and Sprint Car Success
In June 2020, Kyle Larson joined the USAC series for the Indiana Midget Week and won all six races, including the championship. He continued to win nine straight sprint car features. Later that month, Larson competed in the full Pennsylvania Speedweek for 410 sprint cars, winning at Grandview Speedway and Hagerstown.
January 1, 2021: NASCAR Reinstates Larson's Competition Privileges
On January 1, 2021, NASCAR officially reinstated Kyle Larson's competition privileges.
January 16, 2021: Larson Wins Second Consecutive Chili Bowl Nationals
On January 16, 2021, Kyle Larson won his second consecutive Chili Bowl Nationals. A week later, he won the first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series race of the season at All-Tech Raceway.
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. He finished 35th in the race.
2021: Larson's First Win with HMS at Las Vegas
In 2021, Kyle Larson began his season with a 10th-place finish at the Daytona 500. Three weeks later, Larson achieved his first win with HMS at Las Vegas, having previously finished second nine times on 1.5-mile tracks.
2021: Larson Wins at Watkins Glen and Clinches Regular Season Championship
In 2021, Kyle Larson scored his fifth victory of the season at Watkins Glen, marking a career-high. Following the Watkins Glen race, Larson and Denny Hamlin were tied for the points lead in the regular season standings. After the Coke Zero Sugar 400, Larson clinched the regular season championship.
2021: Larson to Drive No. 5 Car for Hendrick Motorsports
In 2021, Kyle Larson will drive the No. 5 car for Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series season, as part of a multi-year deal announced in October 2020.
2021: Larson Wins Coca-Cola 600, Sonoma, and All-Star Race
In 2021, Kyle Larson won the Coca-Cola 600 on May 30. Larson's victory was the 269th career Cup victory for Hendrick Motorsports, surpassing Petty Enterprises for the most Cup victories as a race team in NASCAR history. A week later, Larson scored his first road course win at Sonoma. On June 13, 2021, Larson won the NASCAR All-Star Race, becoming the 9th driver to win the All-Star Race more than once. He also became the 8th driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to win the Coca-Cola 600 and the All-Star race in the same season. At Nashville, Larson scored his third consecutive win.
2021: Larson Clinches NASCAR Cup Series Championship
In 2021, during the season finale at Phoenix, Kyle Larson started on the pole and led 107 laps en route to his tenth win of the season, clinching his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. He became the first driver to have 10 wins and a championship in the same season since Jimmie Johnson in 2007. Larson ended his 2021 championship season with 10 wins, 18 stage wins, 20 top fives, 26 top tens, 2,581 laps led, and an average finish of 9.1.
August 21, 2022: Larson Scores Second Win of the Season at Watkins Glen
On August 21, 2022, Kyle Larson achieved his second win of the season at Watkins Glen.
2022: Drove for HMS
In 2022, Kyle Larson drove the No. 17 car for HMS at Road America where he finished 2nd to eventual winner Ty Gibbs. On August 20, Larson won at Watkins Glen.
December 31, 2022: Birth of Cooper Donald Larson
On December 31, 2022, Kyle Larson and Katelyn Sweet's third child, Cooper Donald Larson, was born.
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 compete in both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
March 15, 2023: No. 5 Team Served L2 Penalty
On March 15, 2023, the No. 5 team, driven by Kyle Larson, was served an L2 penalty after an unapproved hood louver was found installed on the car during a pre-race inspection at Phoenix. As a result, the team was initially docked 100 driver and owner points, as well as 10 playoff points. Additionally, crew chief Cliff Daniels was suspended for four races and fined US$100,000. Later, the National Motorsports Appeals Panel amended the penalty, upholding the fine and Daniels' suspension, but restoring the owner, driver, and playoff points.
2023: Larson Wins at Richmond and Martinsville, Scores Third All-Star Win
In 2023, Kyle Larson achieved his 20th career Cup Series win at Richmond. Two weeks later, he secured a victory at Martinsville, marking the first win for the No. 5 car at that track since 1984. On May 21, 2023, Larson scored his third career All-Star win at the NASCAR All-Star Race, tying him with Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon as a three-time All-Star winner, and becoming the only driver to win the All-Star race on 3 different race tracks (Charlotte, Texas & North Wilkesboro).
2023: Won 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: Larson Wins the Knoxville Nationals
In 2023, Kyle Larson won the Knoxville Nationals for the second time. Larson also won the third annual BC39 race against 74 USAC National Midgets on the dirt track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2021. Larson won the Knoxville Nationals three times in 2021, 2023, and 2024, becoming the eighth multi-time winner as well as the eighth back-to-back winner of the event.
September 10, 2024: Larson to return to Indianapolis 500 in 2025
On September 10, 2024, it was announced that Kyle Larson would return to the 2025 Indianapolis 500 with McLaren exercising the second-year option.
2024: Larson's Indianapolis 500 debut and Coca-Cola 600 miss
In 2024, Kyle Larson started fifth in the rain-delayed Indianapolis 500 but finished 18th after a pit lane speeding penalty. The rain delay also caused him to miss the start of the Coca-Cola 600. Despite this, Larson was named the 2024 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year.
2024: Larson Wins at Las Vegas
In 2024, Kyle Larson started the season with an 11th-place finish at the Daytona 500. Two weeks later, Larson scored his first win of the season at Las Vegas. At the Kansas spring race, Larson won by 0.001 seconds over Chris Buescher, the closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history. Larson attempted to run both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, but the rain delayed the Indy 500 caused him to miss the start of the Coke 600 and was substituted by Justin Allgaier who finished 13th. Despite missing the Coke 600 race, Larson was granted a waiver to maintain his playoff eligibility.
2024: Win at Circuit of the Americas
In 2024, Kyle Larson won at Circuit of the Americas after overtaking a dueling Shane van Gisbergen and Austin Hill on the final lap.
2024: Larson Wins the Knoxville Nationals
In 2024, Kyle Larson won the Knoxville Nationals for the third time. Larson also won the third annual BC39 race against 74 USAC National Midgets on the dirt track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2021. Larson won the Knoxville Nationals three times in 2021, 2023, and 2024, becoming the eighth multi-time winner as well as the eighth back-to-back winner of the event.
January 18, 2025: Larson Wins Third Chili Bowl Nationals
On January 18, 2025, Kyle Larson won his third Chili Bowl Nationals, leading the 40-lap race flag-to-flag after starting from the pole.
March 4, 2025: Competing for Spire Motorsports
On March 4, 2025, it was announced that Kyle Larson would compete two races in the No. 07 truck for Spire Motorsports. Larson won at Homestead after he overcame a late race spin.
2025: Larson Starts Season with 20th at Daytona 500
In 2025, Kyle Larson started the season with a 20th-place finish at the Daytona 500. A month later, he scored his 30th career win at Homestead which placed him at 30th on the all-time wins list in the Cup Series. Larson scored his second win of the season at the Bristol spring race. At Kansas, Larson scored his third win of the season.
2025: Larson's Crash at Indianapolis
In 2025, at Indianapolis, Kyle Larson crashed in turn two on lap 91, involving Kyffin Simpson and Sting Ray Robb. Larson finished 27th but was later credited with 24th after post-race inspections.
2026: Larson's Contract Extension with HMS
In 2026, Kyle Larson's multi-year contract extension with HMS will keep him with the team through this year. On September 16, HMS announced that Larson had signed a multi-year contract extension to remain with the team through 2026.
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