DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Whereas nearly all of the drivers within the discipline for Sunday’s Daytona 500 are getting their season began, Kyle Larson has already received 5 races.
The driving force of the Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 Chevrolet has received in three several types of open-wheel, dirt-track automobiles and he believes racing steadily retains him sharp. He’s raced extra this offseason than in recent times.
“I’ve performed it each methods. Final couple years I haven’t performed a lot grime racing within the offseason,” he mentioned. “Effectively, yeah, a pair years in the past I didn’t do any actually in addition to Turkey Evening I feel. Then I’ve had years the place I raced loads, much more than I ran this time.
“I don’t know. I feel it retains me sharp, for certain. It’s not an enormous deal irrespective of come what may. I identical to to race. I sort of like to remain within the rhythm of racing.”
Larson had two wins and 4 top-three finishes in 4 World of Outlaws dash automobile races final week at Volusia Speedway Park.
“I’ve by no means gone to Volusia and certified properly,” Larson defined. “We’ve certified first rate, however you possibly can’t win from the seventh or eighth row. It was extra enjoyable to qualify good, giving ourselves a chance to win.
“It was a enjoyable week there, the very best we’ve ever had at Volusia. Hopefully it may carry over to this week.”
The Daytona 500 is certainly one of a handful of the massive NASCAR races that the 2021 Cup Sequence champion has not received.
“It’s an enormous, large race. Everyone in right here desires to win the massive one,” Larson mentioned. “I feel that is just like the final of the massive ones that I’ve left. I feel that provides slightly bit extra to it. Yeah, I’m unsure. Simply get your season began, too, so it’s plenty of enjoyable.”
However does profitable the Daytona 500 outline a driver’s profession? Larson’s not so certain.
“I’m not likely certain. I don’t know the way it feels to them,” Larson mentioned throughout media day. “I might think about Tony Stewart or Kyle Busch continues to be racing, however I think about Tony Stewart who doesn’t have it doesn’t lose sleep.
“I feel once you take a look at the type of racing, particularly these days, the way it’s tough to win since you do have plenty of success the place there’s loads out of your management. I feel that helps you sleep at night time for those who don’t win,” Larson added. “So I don’t suppose it does something to Tony’s legacy whether or not he’s received the Daytona 500 or not. He’s in each Corridor of Fame that he’s deserving of being in. I don’t suppose it does something to his profession.
“Clearly, he would like to have it. That’s most likely the identical as me,” Larson famous. “Like, I’m not going to lose sleep if I don’t ever win this race, however I nonetheless need to win the race and have that ring and that trophy and be part of the names which have received it.
“However once more, I feel there’s loads else, much more that goes into profitable and plenty of luck. It’s not an enormous deal.”
