Kyle Larson’s busy off-season is set to be as relentless as his race-winning drive, coming just days after claiming his second NASCAR Cup Series title at Phoenix in November 2025. While many champions might choose to unwind after a season-ending victory, Larson is charging straight into another packed schedule stretching across racing events, family time, and off-track commitments.
Larson Charges Ahead After Phoenix Triumph
Securing his place among NASCAR’s greats with a dramatic win in Phoenix, Kyle Larson showcased not only his remarkable driving talent but also his willingness to take bold risks. Rather than taking a breather after the Cup Series finale, Larson’s relentless approach has him firmly focused on the next challenges, underlining his reputation as one of the sport’s most tireless drivers.
Even as the ink dried on his 2025 championship, Larson jumped into new responsibilities—beginning with a media tour and some much-needed downtime in Cabo with family after November 6. He made it clear on the Dale Jr. Download podcast:
“I’ll be back. I’ll be racing next week in California,”
Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver. The celebrations were brief, as he was soon drawn to production days and promotional activities that filled nearly every gap between events.
A Packed Off-Season: Racing, Promotion, and Family Time
Larson’s schedule then quickly shifted into high gear, with back-to-back commitments in California. After his brief vacation, he’s straight back to the track, focusing on the USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midgets at Placerville Speedway on November 14 and 15. This event is particularly meaningful to Larson, as it highlights the Hangtown 100—a collaboration between himself and Russell Motorsports Inc. The occasion allows him to remain active in midget racing, an arena he still deeply values despite ruling NASCAR’s upper echelons.
“It’s really special to be part of an event that means so much to me. Placerville Speedway is a place where my family and I grew up going to, not just as fans, but to race,”
Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver. This deep connection to his Californian roots keeps Larson grounded even as he continues to expand his legacy on the national stage.
After Placerville, the next target for Larson is the historic Turkey Night Grand Prix at Ventura, a hallmark midget racing event that has long attracted top-tier drivers. From there, he makes an international leap, planning a weekend in Australia. Each commitment is carefully interwoven with his preparations for NASCAR’s 2026 season.
He then plans a stop in Oklahoma for a couple of weeks, where attention turns to the pre-season ramp-up before the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium—NASCAR’s exhibition event that serves as both a showcase and a test for the forthcoming campaign. Reflecting on this continuous schedule, Larson described the grind:
“Pretty, pretty normal offseason though for me. You know, a little bit of vacation and some racing.”
Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver. For him, the “off-season” is more of a myth, replaced by a continuous loop of races, family time, and promotion.
Learning from a History of No Off-Seasons
Kyle Larson’s calendar this year is no anomaly. His off-season habits have become a pattern—filled with constant activity and rarely any rest. Following his 2024 campaign, Larson dove straight into winter events where he picked up accolades at Merced Speedway in California, taking home both the USAC National Midgets and 360 Sprint Car crowns.
Proving his status as a dirt racing elite, Larson clinched his third Chili Bowl Nationals title—a celebrated accomplishment in the dirt racing world. Despite these racing exploits, he found moments to unplug with his family during a Bahamas vacation, striking a balance between relentless competition and cherished downtime. Even this was short-lived, as Larson soon jumped back into the spotlight, capping his off-season with an appearance at the Clash at Bowman Gray in February 2025.
Larson Shares Gratitude and Reflects on the Journey
Larson’s competitive fire is matched by his humility and sense of gratitude, qualities that came into sharp focus during the 2025 NASCAR Awards ceremony. Taking the stage in front of the sport’s top figures, he directed an emotional tribute to his idol and now team boss, Jeff Gordon—a driver he admired as a child.
“As a five-year-old dressing up for my first day of kindergarten, head to toe in rainbow DuPont 24 gear with the matching backpack, I probably didn’t think I’d be sharing this stage with you 25 years later as my boss.”
Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver.
Lifting the championship trophy, Larson connected his journey from California dirt kid to Cup Series star as a full-circle moment alongside Gordon. He went on to say,
“You’re a role model to so many Dirt Kids in California like myself. You’re still that same role model and one of the most humble people I’ve ever met. I’m so lucky to have you in my corner.”
Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver. These words underscored the mentor-mentee relationship that has shaped much of his professional growth and personal development.
NASCAR further spotlighted this touching relationship by sharing the story online, captioning it,
“Four years later, you’ll share the stage with him again, @KyleLarsonRacin. ❤️”
NASCAR.
The Emotional Reality of Championship Triumph
Even in victory, Larson displayed the kind of empathy that sets him apart. As he looked back on the Phoenix finale, his thoughts turned to Denny Hamlin, whose hopes for the championship faded in the closing laps due to a strategic pit call.
“There’s definitely a large part of me that feels really bad and sad,”
Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver. Hamlin, who had been dominant from pole, saw a four-tire strategy drop him from contention, while Larson’s two-tire decision catapulted him to victory.
The night in Phoenix was a vivid example of the sport’s blend of euphoria and heartbreak. Larson’s own triumph was their heartbreak—two sides of the same racing coin—and his candid admission highlighted the emotional depth behind competitive motorsport.
Legacy Built on Passion and Tireless Pursuit
Kyle Larson’s story, from idolizing the “Rainbow Warrior” Jeff Gordon in his early years in California to sharing the championship spotlight as a driver for Gordon’s team, is a narrative defined by resilience and relentless ambition. Behind every podium celebration, there’s a racer who feels the full spectrum of the sport—the victories, the setbacks, and the camaraderie among rivals and mentors alike.
The busy off-season ahead for Larson is not just about collecting more trophies or promotional appearances. It is a testament to his deep-rooted passion for racing in all its forms—NASCAR, midgets, dirt tracks, and beyond. Supported by his family, respected by peers like Jeff Gordon, and admired by fans from California to Oklahoma and Australia, Larson continues to raise the bar for what it means to be a modern champion.
As the sport looks forward to the 2026 Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium and another round of fierce Cup Series competition, Kyle Larson sets a standard for sports fans and aspiring racers alike: when you truly love what you do, there’s no finish line—only the next starting gate.
