Ken Schrader recently offered his perspective on the violent sequences involving Kyle Larson and Corey Day during the 2025 USAC Hangtown 100 at Placerville Speedway, drawing attention from fans and analysts focused on the dramatic event now known as the Kyle Larson USAC Hangtown crash. Both drivers experienced fierce wrecks, but fortunately escaped serious injury.
The first major incident occurred early in the race, with Corey Day, nearly 20 years old, caught in a high-speed accident while running near the front. His midget car suddenly lifted off and flipped multiple times, sustaining heavy damage. Later in the event, Kyle Larson, who had been leading much of the contest, crashed after Daison Pursley began to challenge him for the top spot. Attempting an aggressive maneuver to keep his advantage, Larson lost control, causing his car to roll through the air in dramatic fashion.
Reflecting on the contrasting wrecks, Ken Schrader spoke on the Herm & Schrader podcast to Kenny Wallace:
“Yeah, he took a ride. It was not one you want to be in, yeah. Had to be thinking, Oh, I got Corey and Kyle out there upside down. Kyle just spun around in the air. Now he spun around, you know, pretty impressively… Landed, land it and then tipped over when you’re riding in them. Huge difference, huge difference between Corys and Kyle’s, they both look really cool. But when you’re bouncing, you know, huge difference between the two.”
— Ken Schrader, Former NASCAR Driver
Despite the violent nature of both crashes, neither Corey Day nor Kyle Larson was seriously hurt. Both emerged from their cars under their own power, drawing relief from the racing community. Daison Pursley capitalized on the chaos to secure the victory in the Hangtown 100, further elevating his profile among USAC’s rising stars.
Kyle Larson Questions One-Race NASCAR Championship Format
Following the harrowing crash, attention shifted to another topic highlighted by Kyle Larson himself. During an appearance on the Rubbin is Racing podcast in November 2025, Larson offered candid views on NASCAR’s current one-race championship system. This subject has sparked ongoing debate within the motorsports community, particularly after high-stakes moments like the Kyle Larson USAC Hangtown crash.
NASCAR’s playoff model consists of four elimination rounds, with each stage removing four contenders until just four remain. These finalists then compete in a single “champion decider race” to claim the Cup Series title, an approach that has faced growing criticism from both fans and drivers. Many argue that such a setup is too dependent on a single event and can be influenced by unpredictable incidents or luck.
On the podcast, Larson addressed these concerns, advocating for a broader championship format. He emphasized that a champion should be determined over more than just one race, especially given the unpredictable nature of motorsports. Larson said:
“I don’t think there’s ever a clear one hundred percent, you know, perfect format that everybody in the world is gonna agree on. But I think what we can all agree on, I think what you know, Sunday maybe proved that we need more than one race, yes, whether that is 36 or 10 or four or whatever the number is, it should be more than one because of moments like that.”
— Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Driver
Larson’s remarks echoed broader calls for change. In the most recent NASCAR season, he managed to secure his second Cup Series championship, narrowly defeating rival Denny Hamlin of Joe Gibbs Racing. Larson’s victory was achieved after a strategic four-tire pit stop by Hamlin allowed Larson to gain crucial track position and clinch the title in his #5 Chevy Camaro ZL1.
The Significance of Recent Events and What Lies Ahead
The events surrounding the Kyle Larson USAC Hangtown crash and subsequent discussion of NASCAR’s championship format highlight ongoing tensions in motorsport regarding safety and competition structure. The resilience demonstrated by both Corey Day and Kyle Larson at Placerville Speedway reinforced the importance of safety innovations in racing.
Meanwhile, the debate about the Championship 4 model is likely to intensify, as top drivers like Larson push for changes that could ensure the title reflects sustained performance rather than a single afternoon’s fortune. With figures like Ken Schrader weighing in and the memory of intense incidents still fresh, NASCAR faces continued pressure to reexamine how its champions are crowned, which may influence future rule adjustments and shape competition in coming seasons.
Open-wheel weekend: flips, spins, and one VERY stressed car owner 😅
Off-season? Not here — Herm & Schrader just dropped a new episode! 🔥
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