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Kyle Larson flexes, reveals reason for racing in Xfinity Series is to 'embarrass' drivers and NASCAR

Nick Profile Picby:Nick Geddes•04/14/25•

NickGeddesNews

Kyle Larson
Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

Kyle Larson doesn’t have to race in the Xfinity Series. Nobody is forcing one the best drivers in the world to do it, but he does it to show the younger drivers what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Following his double victory in Xfinity and Cup Series competition this weekend at Bristol, Larson spoke with FOX Sports analyst Kevin Harvick. Larson said his main motivation in racing in Xfinity is to embarrass the competition, as well as NASCAR.

“In Xfinity, I do get motivated, and this is going to come across like very cocky, but I want to embarrass them, honestly,” Larson said. “I want to embarrass NASCAR a little bit because they just don’t let Cup guys run anymore, and the kids probably think they’re in a good spot and they don’t know where the bar really is at.

“So, I like to go run those Xfinity races and just get 10-second leads to let them realize that they’ve got a lot of room to improve. I think that’s only better for our sport. When those young guys can compete with Cup guys, they’re better suited for the Cup Series once they get there. … I want to smash the field when I run Xfinity. That’s motivating to me, for sure.”

Kyle Larson dominant at Bristol

It’s the hard truth from Larson and embarrass the competition he did in Saturday’s Xfinity race. Larson led 277-of-300 laps, cruising to his 16th career Xfinity victory. He dominated the action last month at Homestead-Miami, coming up just short and finishing fourth. That race, he led 132-of-201 laps.

Basically, when Larson’s in the field, expect him to run up front. Now, that’s to be expected. Larson is one of the favorites at just about every racetrack on the Cup schedule. And just as he embarrassed the competition on Saturday, he made quick work of his competitors in Sunday’s Cup race.

Larson led an astounding 411-of-500 laps, taking the checkered flag at Bristol for the third time in his career. Nobody had anything for Larson and the No. 5 team, not even Denny Hamlin, who was coming off back-to-back wins.

“Just a flawless race once again here at Bristol for the 5 team,” Larson said. “Really, really good car. That was a lot of fun, you know? However many laps of green we ran there was a lot of fun and I was pretty comfortable with things. Then, Denny came on really strong there before the pit cycle. Then it just kind of kept the pressure on from there. So, I knew I had to make some good moves in traffic.”