Larson is looking to get back to the NASCAR Cup Series; Thought the scoreboard broke during his track record lap at I-55 Raceway
As the 2020 NASCAR racing season got underway, Larson was one of the hottest drivers in the sport. He was also in a contract year with Chip Ganassi Racing.
In mid-April, Larson used a racial slur while attempting to contact his spotter on a private audio channel. The audio was instead broadcast via the public channel and heard by thousands.
Soon after, Larson was suspended by Chip Ganassi Racing and NASCAR. McDonalds, Capital One Bank, Advent Health and Chevrolet all dropped Kyle Larson. That left Chip Ganassi Racing no choice but to fire Kyle Larson.
Week later, Larson listed two North Carolina homes for sale. He then hit the road to return to the World of Outlaws.
“We made our first long road trip as a family from Mooresville to Missouri. That was fun,” Kyle Larson said of his new location.
Larson has been staying at Clint Bowyer’s house in the Ozarks. He prepping for another full weekend of racing.
This is coming after pivotal moment last weekend at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Missouri. Larson picked up his first sprint car win of 2020.
The grandstands were limited at the facility. But, they erupted.
Related: Kyle Larson lists both North Carolina homes for sale
Kyle Larson on sprint car fans sticking with him
“It’s meant the world to me. Obviously, I’ve gone through a lot here lately,” Larson stated via Winged Nation.
“I’ve lost a lot of my partners. Which, I fully understand. But, the one’s who stuck by me, it means the world.”
“It’s been life changing, no doubt. But, the support of everybody has really helped get me by, friends, family, fans.”
“This kids don’t know what’s going on. But, getting that support from everybody just helps me stay strong. It’s hard to be positive but the support really helps.
I-55 track record
Over the weekend, Kyle Larson entered in an event at I-55 Raceway, the first time he’d seen the track. He ran hot laps then returned for qualifying and proceeded to set the track record.
“I’ll be honest, I’m thankful that everyone was in the infield because I was back here at the hauler by myself choked up and tears in my eyes,” Larson said in an Outlaws release about setting the track record. “It’s just been a crazy, rough handful of weeks. So, any small accomplishment like that means a lot.”
“My car was really fast and the track conditions were good for how early I went out,” Larson stated via Winged Nation.
“My first lap, I took it pretty easy and I was able to be close to the track record. So, I knew my next lap was going to be wie open.”
“I knew if I didn’t move my arms too much, I could run a fast lap. I was not expecting to see a 9 second lap. Honestly, I thought the board broke cause there was a bunch of 9’s. It’s neat to do something that nobody’s ever done there, be in the 9 second bracket.”
“My head was buried against the seat because the corners were so fast.”
Larson grabs his first win of 2020
On the night he set the track record, he finished 2nd. The following night, Kyle Larson drove to victory lane. He took the win with a broken Jacobs Ladder.
“When I was trying to track down Sheldon, I caught the gate down the back stretch. For a couple laps, I thought my right rear was going low. I was taking it easy because I didn’t what the tire to explode in a bad spot.”
“Once I realized it was just the Jacobs Ladder, I could start running it harder to try and free myself up. The win was satisfying in itself. But, to overcome a broken part and still win an Outlaw race, was cool.”
Laron’s run in a sprint car, to that point, hasn’t gone to plan.
“Up until mid-way Friday night, I haven’t had any confidence in a sprint car. We’ve struggled. I struggled in Australia, then came back to the states, went to Volusia, we struggled. Then, Knoxville and Jackson both, we were really bad.”
“It was a good time going to Pevely. It just looked like a track that would suit me. But, it was still hard to get confidence, just with how bad we’ve struggled.”
Related: I-55 Raceway Results: May 23, 2020 (World of Outlaws)
Where’s Larson racing? Returning to Cup Series?
NASCAR has yet to remove their suspension of Kyle Larson. The World of Outlaws only requested that Larson attend a sensitivity class, instead of handing out a suspension.
This weekend, Kyle Larson will be at Lake Ozark Speedway with the World of Outlaws.
“We have the next four weekends planned out. I’m just happy to be racing race cars right now,” Larson said. “It’s been weird watching the NASCAR stuff on TV, but I also hope that I’ll still be able to have another opportunity to race in Cup someday.”
“So taking this time to watch and still study and stay relevant in my own mind. That way whenever an opportunity comes up, I’ll be ready to take full advantage of that opportunity and do a good job.”
“The Outlaws have been a great supporter of mine through this. Being able to compete with them, it’s special to me.”
“Beyond these next four weeks, I don’t even know what races are planned in the world, right now. We just plan on hitting whatever races make the most sense to us.”
“I always want to support them [the Outlaws], especially with them sticking behind me,” Larson added in a WoO release. “I can’t wait to get my journey started and see where my future goes.”
Related: NASCAR driver Kyle Larson drops N-word (Video)
