Kyle Larson, the accomplished NASCAR Cup Series champion from Hendrick Motorsports, has opened up about how he manages to stay at the top of his game during the limited practice periods drivers now face. Speaking about the challenges of the Kyle Larson offseason racing routine, he provided insight into how continuous competition away from NASCAR keeps his skills fresh before the new season begins.
Adapting to Reduced Practice Opportunities in NASCAR
NASCAR drivers have seen their pre-race practice sessions shrink significantly over the past few years. Where athletes in other sports consistently train on their stage, Cup Series competitors frequently get only 20 minutes, or sometimes even less, to familiarize themselves with the tracks before races begin. These cutbacks were designed primarily to help teams control costs and avoid unnecessary incidents before official races.
As a result of these changes, drivers are less able to practice with their actual cars on real tracks, leading many to use simulators to prepare. However, this technological workaround brings its own expense, as running sophisticated simulators can be costly. Critics point out that, rather than lowering budgets, these limitations may have simply shifted costs elsewhere, while some argue that reduced actual practice could even raise the chance of accidents on race day.
Why Larson Races During Every Offseason
Speaking in a recent interview, Kyle Larson detailed his approach to maintaining competitive sharpness during the offseason. He explained the importance of keeping his race instincts honed year-round rather than waiting until a new NASCAR season starts.
“Yeah, it’s definitely interesting in NASCAR. Everybody probably has their own way of doing it. For me, that’s why I race in the offseason. I love to race, but I also use it as a kind of a tool to stay sharp, and you get less cobwebs when you get to the Clash.”
— Kyle Larson, Driver
Larson has never allowed his skills to go unused between seasons, so he cannot say if taking time off would hurt his performance. However, he attributes his consistent high level to his determination to always keep competing, regardless of the time of year.
Larson’s Rigorous Offseason Racing Schedule
Soon after clinching another NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2025, Larson wasted no time returning to competitive racing. His offseason calendar is packed with events designed to keep him on edge and test his adaptability in different settings.
“Hopefully, if the weather breaks, we’ll get to race midgets this weekend at Placerville, and then I’ll be back in a couple of weeks for a Turkey night in Ventura. Then I go to Australia for a weekend over New Year’s and then the [Tulsa] shootout.”
— Kyle Larson, Driver
While he may not participate in every event, including the Tulsa shootout, Larson plans to fit his busy travel plans around family commitments, aiming to return in time to support his children. His travels will take him across the globe, competing in marquee dirt track events from California to Australia, with additional major domestic races on his schedule.
Maintaining this grueling pace is not just a personal preference but a critical component of Larson’s ethos as a race car driver. He attributes his reputation as one of today’s most formidable drivers to this relentless pursuit of self-improvement, constantly pushing his limits and fine-tuning his abilities even outside the main NASCAR season.
The Importance of Consistent Racing for Larson’s Success
For Kyle Larson, participating in races throughout the offseason is more than a passion—it’s a calculated strategy to remain at the peak of motorsport performance. As NASCAR Cup Series drivers continue to navigate evolving rules, reduced track time, and heavier reliance on simulators, Larson’s experience suggests that constant, real-world racing can make a decisive difference once the new season begins. Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see how his offseason approach once again shapes his performance when he returns to the big stage.
