Kyle Larson was celebrated in Elk Grove on Friday with a championship parade following his recent victory in the NASCAR Cup Series. The city honored the Hendrick Motorsports driver with festivities marking his second title, making the 2023 Kyle Larson championship parade a standout event for the community that launched his career.
Returning home for the first time since his 2021 title celebration, Larson, now a two-time champion at age 33, took the opportunity to express appreciation to the people of Elk Grove, who supported him from his earliest racing years. After a demanding racing season, he noted how special it was to reconnect and experience the outpouring of support from those he rarely sees.
“I don’t get to see really anybody that often anymore, from Elk Grove anyways. So it’s good to come here and celebrate and see how much the championship meant to everybody,”
he said, acknowledging those who filled the streets, – Kyle Larson, Driver
Much of historic Old Town Elk Grove was closed to traffic for the celebration, as the City of Elk Grove and Sonoma Raceway organized the parade along Main Street. Larson arrived atop an open blue car, then greeted crowds, signed memorabilia, and took photos with local fans, emphasizing the bond he continues to share with his hometown supporters.
The vibrant procession moved from Elk Grove Boulevard onto Railroad Street, eventually concluding at Old Town Plaza. At the finale, officials representing the California State Assembly, the Elk Grove City Council, Sacramento County, and Sonoma Raceway offered their congratulations for his championship journey. Larson’s achievements have earned him further honors from his city, including a symbolic key and the designation of November 22 as Kyle Larson Day in Elk Grove.
The latest NASCAR Cup Series title was clinched by Larson after a strategic pit decision at the Phoenix race. Finishing third in the final event, he secured the championship by taking only two tires during the last pit stop, a move that gave him crucial track position. Meanwhile, rival Denny Hamlin, who had led much of the competition, opted for four tires and couldn’t regain enough ground as the race ended in overtime.
Sonoma Raceway Highlights Larson’s Influence on California Racing
Lending a local perspective, Sonoma Raceway’s strong connection with Larson was celebrated at the event. The driver has achieved two wins at the Sonoma road course in 2021 and 2024, and has an impressive record of five consecutive pole positions from 2017 through 2022. These feats echo his childhood visits to the track, once known as Sears Point, and cement Larson’s status as a hometown hero.
Brian Flynn, Executive Vice President of Sonoma Raceway, was among those who arranged the celebration with Elk Grove officials. Flynn explained why the local racing community so enthusiastically backed the event, emphasizing Larson’s role in representing both the region and motorsports.
“As a hometown Elk Grove guy, two-time NASCAR Cup champion, two-time Sonoma Raceway winner right down the road, the city got behind it, the community got behind it, and certainly the racetrack. Our team was easy to get right behind it. Kyle’s awesome,”
Flynn said via Frontstretch. – Brian Flynn, Sonoma Raceway Executive Vice President
“He’s such a great representative for the sport and for the town and for California, Northern California, and for racing in general. He’s a racer’s racer. He’s the ultimate wheelman. There are only a few of those guys out there, and he’s right there with them. So it was a really fun day.”
– Brian Flynn, Sonoma Raceway Executive Vice President
Friday’s festivities reflected not only the celebration of a title but a lasting connection between Larson and the Northern California region where his motorsport journey began. With the NASCAR Cup Series set to return in February and Larson preparing for off-season dirt racing appearances at Placerville and other California venues, the Elk Grove native continues to carry both regional pride and racing excellence onto national platforms. The outpouring of support from city leaders, regional officials, and fans symbolizes a legacy that’s poised to grow with each new season and appearance.
.@KyleLarsonRacin completes his hometown championship parade in Elk Grove, California.#NASCAR pic.twitter.com/SSOmX5voC9
— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) November 14, 2025
