Kyle Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, opened up about his top inspirations in the racing world during a recent appearance on Corey LaJoie’s Stacking Pennies podcast on YouTube, just before the highly anticipated Charlotte ROVAL event. Discussing the topic of “Kyle Larson racing legends,” Larson listed the drivers he holds in the highest regard and reflected on his journey through diverse motorsports disciplines.
Competing for Hendrick Motorsports in the #5 Chevy Camaro ZL1, Larson named several racing greats who have influenced his career both on and off the NASCAR circuit. In a rare moment of reflection, he delved into how legendary figures shaped his mindset and competitive drive, providing insight into the icons he considers the pinnacle of racing excellence.
Larson’s All-Time Racing Legends: A Diverse Mount Rushmore
During the podcast interview, Larson detailed his personal Mount Rushmore of motorsports, spotlighting champions from various disciplines. He cited Jeff Gordon, a four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, as his number one inspiration, acknowledging Gordon’s lasting impact and referring to him as “my guy.” Following Gordon, Larson mentioned Tony Stewart, a former Cup Series champion and team owner now racing in the NHRA Series, further underscoring Stewart’s versatility and influence.
Larson also included Joey Saldana, known as “the Brownsburg Bullet” for his achievements in American sprint racing, and Jac Haudenschild, a star in the World of Outlaws for winged sprint cars. Both drivers are celebrated for their fearless driving and relentless pursuit of victory, qualities Larson has long admired.
Extending his admiration beyond stock cars, Larson explained that IndyCar icons played a crucial role in his own goals of versatility. Mario Gabriele Andretti and Rufus Parnell “Parnelli” Jones, both renowned for successes in IndyCar racing—including Indianapolis 500 triumphs—inspired Larson’s desire to seek challenges across multiple forms of motorsport. He has even competed in the Indy 500 himself, testifying to his commitment to following in his heroes’ footsteps.
Reflecting on meeting his idols, Larson said:
“Yeah. Uh, well, Jeff Gordon was always my guy growing up. Um, so I’m sure I was nervous meeting him… Tony was that guy… But I don’t know. I was, I was always, uh, I loved, you know, I liked Joey Saldana, Jac Haudenschild. Um, you know, obviously, um, you know, I knew from an early age like I wanted to be versatile. So, Mario Parnelli, like, I definitely idolized kind of those guys and what they did,” stated Kyle Larson on the podcast. [01:04:00 onwards]
Larson also described the excitement—and occasional nerves—of crossing paths with other prominent figures from inside and outside racetracks:
“Um, but I don’t know. I don’t get, like, starstruck or nervous meeting them or anything like that, but or just excited, I guess. Yeah, I I guess more nervous like meeting a Patrick Mahomes this week because, you know, I don’t know what we’re going to talk about. You know, stuff like that, you know, is more nerve-wracking to me. Like racers getting together like you talk racing,” he added.
Pushing for Continued Success in the Cup Series Playoffs
With the Charlotte ROVAL hosting the Bank of America ROVAL 400 on Sunday, October 5, 2025, Larson set his sights on maintaining his momentum in the ongoing Cup Series season. The challenging 109-lap contest is the final event in the Round of 12, intensifying the battle for a Championship Four spot.
Currently, Larson is ranked third in the playoff standings, boasting a comfortable 54-point margin above the cutoff line for advancement. His 2025 season results to date include three race wins, eleven top-five finishes, 18 top-ten finishes, and one pole position in 31 starts. This consistent excellence continues to keep him at the forefront of championship contention.
Larson’s Perspective on Racing Strategies During Playoffs
Earlier in August, during a media event ahead of the postseason, Larson provided insight into the mindset of Cup Series drivers as they approach the critical playoff rounds. He noted how strategies shift, with qualifying drivers focusing on staying out of trouble and securing strong finishes rather than risking it all in early rounds.
In the current structure, the Cup Series playoffs begin with 16 drivers, with each round culling four competitors based on their performance across three races. This progression continues until the Championship Four face off in the season finale at Phoenix Raceway. Joey Logano, from Team Penske, emerged as the 2024 Cup Series champion and exemplifies the competitive spirit required throughout the postseason.
Describing the mindset among drivers during this high-stakes period, Larson stated:
“Honestly, in my opinion, I feel like the racing has always calmed down a little bit once you get to the playoffs because everybody’s so conscious of, like, finishing and trying to just get the best finish possible that day. Obviously, when you get to the cutoff races and stuff, it may be ramp up a little bit, or teams’ pit calls might get a little more desperate, but I feel like it kind of calms down because we’re trying to finish.” [02:22 onwards]
The Broader Impact of Larson’s Inspirations and Current Performance
Kyle Larson’s diverse Mount Rushmore not only highlights his acknowledgment of legendary competitors such as Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Joey Saldana, Jac Haudenschild, Mario Andretti, and Parnelli Jones but also reveals how those racing legends have inspired his approach to versatility and success. The admiration he has for champions across series reflects the evolution of a modern driver in NASCAR and beyond.
As the postseason unfolds and Larson strives to add more victories to his record, his respect for both the traditions of stock car and open-wheel racing could serve as motivation for the next chapter in his championship journey. With a competitive edge honed by his idols, Larson’s presence in the NASCAR Cup Series remains influential and energizing for fans and fellow drivers alike.
