Kyle Larson, fresh off his second NASCAR Cup Series championship win at Phoenix Raceway, has become a standout figure not only within the NASCAR world but also across dirt track racing. Known for piloting the No. 5 car for Rick Hendrick’s Hendrick Motorsports, Larson’s reputation is equally formidable on the dirt, where he co-owns the High Limit Racing Series and races 410 sprint cars. These high-speed machines don’t forgive mistakes easily; recent events saw both Larson and fellow racer Corey Day caught up in wild sprint car crashes, underscoring the risks that come with Larson’s packed racing calendar.
Larson’s boss, Rick Hendrick, is often reminded of these risks. While Mr. Hendrick is best known as a titan in NASCAR, his engagement on social media, particularly TikTok, provides him with an endless stream of clips showing sprint car mishaps—including those that feature his own star driver.
Rick Hendrick’s Humorous Approach to Communication
Larson has shed light on the unique way Hendrick stays in touch with him, especially when it comes to his sprint car exploits. In speaking with The Driver’s Project Podcast, Larson described an encounter that reflects their dynamic after a particular crash involving both him and Corey Day. Larson recalled that after a race-related party, Hendrick immediately brought up the crash, a recurring topic in their conversations. When queried about the other crash, Hendrick admitted he hadn’t seen Corey’s mishap and was advised by Larson not to look it up.
“I saw we had a party a few days later,”
Kyle Larson, NASCAR driver
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 TikToks of me crashing sprint cars.
Kyle Larson, NASCAR driver
He said, ‘Good to see how safe this is. Not!’ So, he loves to send TikToks of me crashing sprint cars from like years before.
Kyle Larson, NASCAR driver
He’s like, ‘Are you okay?’ I’m like, ‘Rick, that was from like six years ago.
Kyle Larson, NASCAR driver
This recurring banter between Larson and Hendrick shows a blend of concern and humor, with Hendrick’s texts chronicling a history of sprint car mishaps—even sharing clips that are several years old. It hints at an undercurrent of anxiety on Hendrick’s part, mingled with a teasing acknowledgment of Larson’s dedication to multiple racing forms.
Team Dynamics Beyond the NASCAR Track
Kyle Larson isn’t the only Hendrick Motorsports driver with a passion for sprint cars. Alex Bowman, who also competes in the NASCAR Cup Series, previously owned and raced for a dirt sprint car team himself. However, after encouragement from Hendrick—likely stemming from concerns over safety and the time demands of balancing two racing disciplines—Bowman decided to step away from dirt racing as recently as 2023. The episode highlights the challenges drivers and teams face in balancing competitive ambitions with concerns over safety and career longevity.
Implications of Larson’s Multifaceted Racing Career
As Larson’s story illustrates, the intersection of professional NASCAR competition and the adrenaline-charged world of sprint car racing comes with drama, excitement, and some tension behind the scenes. Rick Hendrick’s humorous, albeit worried, texts underscore the real risks drivers like Larson and Corey Day encounter when they pursue these high-adrenaline sports. This dynamic also brings to light the evolving culture within big-league racing, where drivers juggle their passion for varied motorsport disciplines amidst pressure from teams mindful of injuries and career sustainability. With Sprint Car crashes capturing attention on platforms like TikTok, the conversations—and the banter—between drivers and team owners will likely continue, fueled by both camaraderie and shared concerns about safety.
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
