Kyle Larson, currently racing for Hendrick Motorsports, has recounted a humorous but telling story about his Rick Hendrick racing relationship. Larson noted that after incidents and crashes in both sprint and midget car races, Rick Hendrick often reaches out with concern, particularly when Larson is involved in dramatic wrecks.
Most recently, Larson found himself upside down during the USAC National Midget Series Hangtown 100 at Placerville Speedway, after contact from a competitor with just a few laps remaining. Larson, who drives the No.5 car in NASCAR, is no stranger to high-risk moments; he has endured several such incidents in the High Limit Racing sprint car series as well. The topic of Hendrick’s reactions arose while Larson was a guest on The Driver’s Project podcast.
“Rick has this thing, so he’s on tiktok all the time. He’ll send me random, the only time he texts me is he’ll send me….tik toks of me crashing sprint cars,” Larson began.
This regular exchange became more vivid when Larson shared a recent text from Hendrick, referencing another racer’s crash:
“This is when Gravel wrecked in Eldora, he said ‘good to see how safe this is, NOT.’ But yeah, he loves to send tiktoks of me crashing sprint cars from like years before, and like. Are you okay? I’m like ‘Rick that was from like six years ago'” – Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
The exchange underscores not only Hendrick’s protective nature but also the ongoing camaraderie and humor in their Rick Hendrick racing relationship.
The Deeper Bond Between Larson and Hendrick
Kyle Larson and Rick Hendrick share more than just on-track drama. Their relationship grew closer after Larson dedicated a pivotal playoff race victory at Kansas Speedway in 2021 to Hendrick and his late son, Ricky Hendrick. The win carried emotional significance, coinciding with the anniversary of a plane crash that claimed ten members of the Hendrick Motorsports team. This mutual respect and understanding have been a defining trait in their success as a driver and team owner pairing.
Addressing Charter Issues in High Limit Racing
Switching gears during his podcast appearance, Larson discussed the future of High Limit Racing, which he co-owns with Brad Sweet. The conversation shifted to comparisons with NASCAR’s ongoing antitrust trial, particularly the challenges surrounding franchise or charter systems in motorsports.
“I just wouldn’t foresee that because the money is way different and I think we are way more transparent than NASCAR has been and I think you know Brad and I have the best interest of sprint car racing in mind not you know our pockets” [2:10 onwards] – Kyle Larson, Co-owner, High Limit Racing
Larson and Sweet’s approach to High Limit Racing marks a departure from NASCAR’s often-criticized system. Their new model, set to be introduced in 2026, will provide ten teams with a share in an $18 million pool over four years. Each team will receive $3.9 million annually, with the payout increasing to $5 million by 2029. This strategy aims to create stable team ownership and a secure exit path for those investing in the series.
The initial five franchises will be granted to the top performers of the 2024 season, with the remaining slots determined by average points standings through 2025. This transparent allocation is meant to attract serious owners and ensure sustainability.
What This Means for Motorsports and Rick Hendrick Racing Relationships
Kyle Larson’s stories about Rick Hendrick highlight a dynamic found in high-stakes racing partnerships, marked by both caution and mutual support. The mentor-mentee bond extends beyond competitive pressure, reflecting a culture of care at Hendrick Motorsports. Meanwhile, Larson’s leadership in High Limit Racing, alongside Brad Sweet, could shape the future of sprint car racing by prioritizing financial clarity and long-term investment over short-term profits—a different philosophy than what is often seen in larger organizations like NASCAR.
As the next chapters in both Larson’s career and High Limit Racing unfold, the motorsports community will watch closely to see if transparent strategies and supportive relationships can provide a blueprint for the sport’s continued growth and resiliency.
The Driver’s Project Podcast Ep. 67 Presented by @keizerwheels
Rick Hendrick still gets nervous about @KyleLarsonRacin & @corey_day_ running sprint cars.
Full episode links 👇
YouTube: https://t.co/dzS9qzr1A0
Spotify: https://t.co/kEtXsSIoGn
Apple: https://t.co/8dJJJqSzol pic.twitter.com/vQ8Qd6naA7
— The Drivers Project (@thedriversproj) December 7, 2025
