The recent injury to Stewart Friesen during a dirt car race has ignited a new round of conversations surrounding the risks associated with NASCAR drivers, especially those like Kyle Larson, who frequently participate in dirt racing outside their main series. This ongoing Kyle Larson diverse racing safety debate centers on whether allowing drivers to race on dirt tracks makes them safer or adds unnecessary danger, especially after such a severe incident.
FOX motorsports reporter Bob Pockrass shared updates on Friesen’s injuries—which included a broken pelvis and broken leg—following the crash earlier in the week. The discussion gained ground when a racing fan commented on Pockrass’s post on X, wondering if Larson, known for balancing NASCAR competition with regular dirt racing appearances, would reconsider his off-track activities. The fan speculated that Rick Hendrick, owner of Larson’s Cup Series team Hendrick Motorsports, might step in to prevent further dirt racing by his star driver, following the recent incident involving Friesen.
Challenging this viewpoint, Bob Pockrass argued that team owners’ perspectives have shifted in recent years. He noted that the current Cup Series format offers drivers limited practice time—often as little as 20 to 25 minutes outside of the main event—meaning extra seat time in any high-performance race car can be valuable. For Larson and others passionate about racing, these off-series events may hone their skills for NASCAR, rather than compromising safety purely for side ventures.
“I think attitudes have changed, especially with such little practice time. That the only time they get in a NASCAR car other than the race itself being 20-25 minutes gives some credence that being in any race car can be productive,”
Bob Pockrass wrote. —Bob Pockrass, FOX motorsports reporter
Larson’s 2025 NASCAR Cup Series campaign underscores the debate: he sits third in points with four races left in the regular season, boasting three major wins—including triumphs at Homestead-Miami, Bristol, and Kansas. Racing the #5 car, Larson has also amassed eight stage wins, 11 top-five finishes, and an average finishing position of 12.8, highlighting his consistency and competitiveness. These achievements fuel the argument that his varied race schedule, including dirt racing, may contribute to his standout Cup Series results.
Larson Reflects on Near Victory at Indianapolis
Recently at the famed Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis, Kyle Larson aimed to make history by securing consecutive wins, a feat last accomplished by Kyle Busch in 2015 and 2016. Despite his strong performance, he was unable to surpass Bubba Wallace in the final laps, ultimately finishing as the race‘s runner-up. Larson took to Instagram after the event to express his thoughts on narrowly missing out on victory, sharing a mix of regret and gratitude for the fans who supported him during his race-day promotional appearance.
Now in his fifth full season with Hendrick Motorsports, Larson’s journey began with an impactful debut in 2021, where the California native collected ten wins and clinched his first Cup Series title. His trajectory since then has remained a topic of interest as his decisions—like balancing main series events with dirt track racing—continue to spark intense conversation within the sport.
The debate sparked by Friesen’s crash shows no signs of fading as NASCAR, car owners, and fans weigh the benefits of additional seat time against the risks demonstrated in non-Cup events. The outcome may influence future policies around drivers‘ participation in diverse forms of racing, especially as car owners like Rick Hendrick assess what brings out the best—and the safest—in elite competitors like Kyle Larson.
