Kyle Larson reacts to hometown parade after winning NASCAR championship

This week, Kyle Larson was celebrated in his hometown of Elk Grove, California. The town had a parade for its two-time NASCAR champion. Elk Grove and Sonoma Raceway came together to put the event together in honor of Larson.

Kyle Larson is now a two-time Cup Series champion. Any town would be happy to claim a champion of his caliber. A small town parade to celebrate a great season.

Speaking to Lee Spencer with FloRacing, Larson was asked about what it meant to have the event in his hometown. The 33-year-old was grateful.

“Yeah, it’s cool. It just makes you feel special when the city you grew up in and your local race track, Sonoma Raceway, kind of get together to host this,” Larson told Spencer. “So, yeah, it feels good. There’s a good fan turnout, and getting to see family and friends and all that is special because I don’t get to see them too much. Happy to be here and just looking forward to the parade here in a little bit.”

It feels like the controversy from championship weekend has subsided. Denny Hamlin is coming back for the 2026 season. Kyle Larson is a two-time champion and is very deserving of that distinction after the season he had. It was just another reminder of why the playoff system had to change.

In 2026, it is going to change. The NASCAR Playoffs are likely staying, for better or worse. But there is going to be a change in format, at the very least.

Kyle Larson will succeed regardless of format

When it comes to drivers like Kyle Larson, William Byron, Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick, Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, Chase Elliott, and maybe one or two others, it doesn’t matter what the format is. Playoffs, season-long points, whatever. They are going to be the best of the best, and a few of them will rise to the top.

However, it is a good thing that the NASCAR championship is changing formats. Even if we crown champions who are “worthy” of the title, it has to be legitimate when it happens. It can’t be a roulette system that most of the time dishes a title to a driver who deserves a title. Fans can’t wonder, but did they deserve it in that moment and in that season? That has been the biggest issue with the one-race finale.

The new format is likely a Chase-like format. 10 races for the playoffs. That won’t change. But will there be eliminations? Is it 3-3-4 or 10 races straight up? What are the qualifications for making the field? And is it a points system that is easy to understand and communicate to new and casual fans?