Kyle Larson, a two-time NASCAR Cup champion, received his updated firesuit with a “2X” champion patch from Hendrick Motorsports after a delayed presentation at Goodyear headquarters on January 24, 2026. The event highlighted Larson’s measured reaction to a significant career milestone, underscoring the range of emotions drivers experience after winning the NASCAR Cup Championship.
Delayed Recognition for Kyle Larson’s NASCAR Cup Accomplishments
The gold car symbolizing Kyle Larson’s championship victory was officially presented to him by Goodyear weeks after he clinched his second Cup title at Phoenix Raceway on November 2, 2025. Scheduling pressures between the Cup Series finale and the subsequent awards ceremony forced the team to wait until late January for the formal handover. In the same moment, Larson was finally able to wear a firesuit with the new “2X” patch—an insignia that marks his achievement as a two-time titlist in NASCAR’s top division.
This notable marker of success came and went without much ostentation. Unlike some counterparts, Larson did not treat the patch as a deeply emotional milestone. The subdued presentation reflected his personal approach to recognition and accomplishment in motorsports.
Kyle Larson’s Perspective: A Patch, Not a Prize
When veteran NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass asked Larson about the updated “2X” patch, the driver responded candidly and with restraint, emphasizing the routine nature of the moment rather than celebrating it as a turning point. Larson explained that the new firesuit had only just arrived and that previous postseason commitments used older suits lacking the correct patch.
“Yeah. Just yesterday. We just got this suit like two days ago. So, when I did my photo shoots and stuff for after the season, we had had suits, and we didn’t have the correct patch on them yet. So yeah, this is the first one I’ve seen with the 2X on it. Yeah, I know it’s going to be there, so it’s not like a big deal to me. But yeah, I don’t know. It’s cool.”
— Kyle Larson, Driver
Larson’s reaction drew notice precisely because of its understated nature. Bob Pockrass highlighted the lack of intense emotion:
“Kyle Larson’s NASCAR Cup Series ‘champion’ patch now has a ‘2X’ for 2-time champion. I know this will surprise no one, but Larson wasn’t overly emotional by seeing it on his uniform. Larson: ‘It’s cool.’”
— Bob Pockrass, NASCAR Reporter
For Larson, the “2X” patch was an expected update, more a formality than cause for celebration, contrasting with the responses of other drivers to similar milestones.
Debate Surrounding Larson’s Second Cup Title
Kyle Larson’s path to his second Cup title at Phoenix Raceway differed from his dominant season in 2021, coming amid fierce competition and heightened scrutiny of the playoff format. The closing race saw Denny Hamlin eliminated from contention, intensifying ongoing rivalries and stirring debate among fans and insiders about the format and merit of the championship process. Opinions were divided—some questioned the fairness and significance of Larson’s title, pointing to a midseason slump and the perceived narrative strength of Hamlin’s campaign, especially after his October win at Las Vegas.
The Cup Series finale and its aftermath generated sharp reactions on social media. Critics openly challenged Larson’s championship credentials:
“He knows he didn’t deserve it, lmao.”
— Fan
“I didn’t earn it, but it’s cool.”
— Fan
“I like and respect Kyle Larson, but that championship last year should be embarrassing to him. It’s like we skipped a year of the NASCAR championship.”
— Fan
Some fans used the outcome to reignite debate over the playoff system:
“Any Championship under that garbage format might as well be a Mickey Mouse championship. This year will be for the real one.”
— Fan
Despite the criticism, Larson remained unfazed, declining to engage with the opinions circulating online and maintaining his calm, unruffled demeanor surrounding the “2X” patch and the wider championship discussion.
Ryan Blaney’s Emphatic Embrace of the Champion Patch
While Larson viewed the new patch as a simple update to his firesuit, Ryan Blaney offered a marked contrast after his own Cup Series triumph in 2023. Blaney took pride in wearing the champion patch from his first competitive appearance following his title, displaying excitement during the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, where he made a dramatic run from the back of the field to finish on the podium. For Blaney, the patch symbolized much more—a constant visual reminder of the achievement he carried into each race.
“That meant a lot; it did mean a ton… You look at that every morning, at least I will on race day. You look at it, and it’s one of those little things you notice. It’s kind of a nice little reminder.”
— Ryan Blaney, Driver
Blaney explained that, while each new season brings a fresh chase for another championship, most celebratory symbols—like the winner’s banquet, the trophy, and even the special Goodyear vehicle—fade into the past. The patch, present on every suit he wears, serves as an enduring acknowledgment of accomplishment and a source of motivation for the challenges ahead.
The Role of Recognition and Legacy in NASCAR
Kyle Larson’s reserved response highlights the diversity of attitudes among Cup Series champions when it comes to recognition. For some like Larson, tangible reminders such as the “2X” patch hold limited personal significance compared to their on-track performance and future goals. For others like Blaney, these symbols serve as daily affirmations of progress and lasting achievement.
The ongoing discussions about the Cup Series championship format, as well as the emotional responses from fans and competitors—including high-profile figures like Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney—reflect the evolving narrative surrounding NASCAR’s championship journey. As Larson embarks on another season, the visible patch may not be momentous for him, but it remains a touchpoint for fans, critics, and fellow drivers, representing both legacy and the relentless pursuit of the next victory in the NASCAR Cup
Kyle Larson's NASCAR Cup Series "champion" patch now has a "2X" for 2-time champion. I know this will surprise no one, but Larson wasn't overly emotional by seeing it on his uniform. Larson: "It's cool." @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/j9g7Mp7Bks
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 23, 2026
