The Kyle Larson Eldora Speedway battle erupted into a dramatic confrontation on Friday night, as the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series saw fierce action between Larson and David Gravel in the final laps. The incident unfolded during the Knight Before feature at Eldora Speedway, leading to heightened emotions and post-race discussions after Larson edged Gravel for third place.
Final Lap Intensity Sparks Post-Race Friction
As the race neared its end, Rico Abreu secured the victory with Carson Macedo finishing just behind, but much of the attention shifted to the hard-fought contest for third. On the final circuit, Larson narrowly beat Gravel to the finish line, capping a tense on-track battle that had the crowd’s eyes fixed on their duel. Immediately after the race, contact between their cars resulted in Larson spinning, with Gravel visibly expressing his frustration beside him on the track.
Confrontation Goes Beyond the Finish Line
The tension did not subside at the checkered flag. Both drivers were summoned to the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series command center to meet with Series Director Carlton Reimers and address the incident that had just transpired. The ongoing rivalry appeared to be anything but settled during this discussion, as Gravel’s dissatisfaction with how events played out became clear.
Drivers Offer Contrasting Reactions to the Incident
Both David Gravel and Kyle Larson spoke candidly following their heated exchange. Gravel’s comments on DIRTVision revealed his ongoing frustration, as he referenced previous altercations and questioned Larson’s professionalism.
“I don’t know if I’m satisfied about it yet,”
Gravel remarked after his talk with officials.
“He’s been running me same way for the last couple of weeks and it starts at Huset’s and he’s got a vendetta towards us. We could keep playing that game, but eventually it’s not gonna be good, but he should be a professional. He thinks our team’s not professional, and, he should be the ultimate professional. He’s not driving like that on the racetrack. So we’re friends, but, I guess right now we’re not.”
—David Gravel, Sprint Car Driver
Further expressing his thoughts on the incident, Gravel continued:
“That is past the point. It was all the stuff before that. He did it to me twice in that feature before that. I gave it back to him once and then he gave me it back again. And, you know, him running third or fourth this race doesn’t change his life. He doesn’t do this for a living and, you know, he’s gotta remember that and, we’ll see.”
—David Gravel, Sprint Car Driver
Kyle Larson described the incident from his own perspective, focusing on the competitiveness that defined their battle for position.
“It was good hard racing, you know, two hard racing drivers right there. So I hope the fans enjoyed it. I know it’s tight from my seat, but sometimes, you know, you come out ahead, sometimes you don’t. Tonight we got in front of him and beat him once again on the last lap.”
—Kyle Larson, Racing Driver
What Lies Ahead in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series
The altercation between Larson and Gravel highlights the underlying tension and emotional stakes involved during major Sprint Car events at Eldora Speedway. With Kings Royal week concluding Saturday evening and a $200,000 top prize on the line for the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars, the magnitude of every on-track interaction is intensified. The ongoing rivalry between these drivers will remain a major storyline as the season progresses, with fans and competitors alike watching closely for any further developments on or off the dirt track.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Kyle Larson better than Verstappen?
A. Larson probably can’t win against Verstappen in F1, but he is more adaptable than most racers worldwide. Bianchi believes Larson is the best because he succeeds in many kinds of racing.
