If you’ve followed Kyle Larson’s NASCAR Cup Series journey, you know how close it came to unraveling in April 2020. During a live iRacing broadcast, a racial slur was heard publicly, triggering immediate fallout: NASCAR suspended him indefinitely, Chip Ganassi Racing cut him loose, and sponsors walked away. At 27, a driver once seen as untouchable was suddenly without a ride or reputation, a mistake Larson later called “young, stupid, and immature.” And now, over five years later, he is still talking about it.

“Instantly I knew I was f—–,” the 35-year-old driver said on the latest episode of the Dinner with Racers podcast. “I just remember coming home like I’m f—–, crying, apologizing, like I’m so screwed, and yeah, the next morning it just started, it was wild. I couldn’t sleep or eat; it was bad.”

But Kyle Larson didn’t fade from view or wait for the outrage to pass. In the weeks after April 2020, he issued a public apology, met with NASCAR officials, and completed the league’s required sensitivity and diversity training as part of the reinstatement process. He also began direct outreach away from the track, spending time with organizations like the Urban Youth Racing School and supporting minority-focused racing initiatives, while his foundation committed significant financial donations tied to education and inclusion. It wasn’t just for optics, but the only way back.

NASCAR made it clear there would be no shortcuts. Reinstatement required proof of completed training, documented outreach, and a formal application demonstrating accountability. Only after meeting those conditions was Larson cleared to return, with NASCAR reinstating him effective January 2021. The suspension was over, but his standing in the sport was not guaranteed. Teams still had to decide whether the risk was worth it.

That opportunity came when Hendrick Motorsports signed him for the 2021 season. Larson answered immediately on the track, scoring his first win back at Las Vegas and quickly establishing himself as the most dominant driver in the field.

And by season’s end, the 35-year-old driver wasn’t just back; he was untouchable. With 10 wins, a master class, and consistency, he captured the 2021 NASCAR Cup Championship, turning on your career-ending mistake in one of the most remarkable comebacks in motorsport history.

And Larson’s greatness doesn’t just stop at NASCAR. He is also one of the greatest dirt track racing drivers. And has already filled in his offseason with the World of Outlaws in Australia, followed by the Chili Bowl and the Tulsa Shootout. But that is just the beginning; recently, the Elk Grove native has another target to achieve.

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Kyle Larson aims to return to the Rolex 24 Hours racing

Winning the 2015 Rolex 24 at Daytona may already be picked off on Larson’s list, but a fourth start in the event is still pending. Driving the No. 2 prototype for Chip Ganassi Racing alongside Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, and Jamie McMurray, Larson navigated 24 hours of chaos, traffic, and strategic swings.

The finish was a thriller, with Dixon entering the field by just over a second, handing Larson and overall Rolex 24 victory before he even turned 25. And now, the HMS Ace is more than ready to make a comeback.

“I think at this stage of my career, yeah, I would do it again. You know, I had fun those three years I did it, and, you know, didn’t want to keep doing it every year,” he said.

For a driver this young, still early in his NASCAR career, it was proven that his talent wasn’t limited to ovals. Moreover, Larson had both made his debut in 2014 and returned again in 2016 to defend the crown, though a repeat win eluded him. However, future runs could prove to be different, and who knows, the 2025 NASCAR champion may claim his second win.