Kyle Larson’s remarks about Max Verstappen didn’t come from a rivalry or headline-seeking moment—they emerged during a post-race FloRacing interview after his 2024 Knoxville Nationals victory. Responding to a question about measuring driving talent across different series, he stated, “I know in my mind I am better than him [Verstappen] as an all-around driver.” That soundbite was quickly excised from its context and reshared around the globe, reframed as a bold challenge to the reigning F1 champion. What followed was a year-long backlash—one that clung to Larson through every series he raced. And just days ago, he finally unpacked the comment in full.

To be fair, Larson had clarified his stance multiple times before. In September 2024, during a NASCAR Cup Series playoff media session, he emphasized that he never claimed to be the greatest, only that he excelled across varied formats. In May 2025, while preparing for the Indy 500, he doubled down in an interview with The Athletic: “People act like I’m the one who said I am the greatest race car driver in the world. I never said that. I just said I’m a better all-around driver than Max Verstappen. And they took that as I said, ‘I’m the greatest in the world.’ Because, for some reason, Max is considered the greatest in the world.” Yet none of that stopped the pull-quote from going viral again and again.

The cycle of reposts and rebukes turned his quote into a recurring flashpoint—one that followed him through dirt tracks, Cup races, and the spotlight of Indy. Each resurfacing stripped away nuance and reinforced a perception he didn’t intend. But this time, when he joined Jimmie Johnson and Marty Smith on the Never Settle podcast, Larson finally addressed the moment without interruption—and with more context than ever before.

“I think the words were definitely spun a little bit. The question was about do I believe that racing should be in the Olympics. My answer to that was ‘no’ because I feel like in Olympic sports, it is purely the athletes’ talent and ability that shines. Whereas in racing you have this other element of equipment…” he explained. That logic taps into a long-running motorsports debate. F1, in particular, has long been shaped by car performance—Red Bull’s RB19 helped Verstappen win 19 of 22 races in 2023 alone. Academic research has shown that equipment accounts for more than 80% of performance variance in the sport, making Larson’s point more grounded than provocative.

He continued, “I don’t need to have Olympic Games to feel like I am a better, all‑around driver than Max Verstappen… I feel I have results and experience of racing and winning the Cup, dirt racing, and all those different races. And Max just solely runs Formula 1. And I think people took that as I said am better Formula 1 driver than Max Verstappen which is wild.” For Larson, this was never about matching Verstappen’s F1 brilliance—it was about range. He’s won in dirt, stock cars, endurance racing, and nearly earned pole at the 2024 Indy 500. Verstappen’s dominance is undisputed, but Larson’s argument was rooted in adaptability. Still, he knows how it all came across.

“I wish I would have rephrased it a little bit or something… because it is a bit embarrassing now ever since then. Everyone thinks that I said I am the greatest in the world.” For the first time, he put that embarrassment into words. Not because he didn’t mean what he said, but because of how easily the nuance was flattened. And yet, not everyone sees it as a misstep. Jimmie Johnson believes the controversy only spotlighted Larson’s versatility even more—and may have helped his reputation, not hurt it.

Jimmie Johnson extends his support to Kyle Larson

Jimmie Johnson was quick to counter any shame. “I don’t think it’s embarrassing. I really don’t,” he said, defending Larson’s remarks. He argued the viral moment sparked fresh interest in Larson’s career, prompting questions like: how many series can one driver dominate? Johnson, who Larson himself considers NASCAR’s GOAT, highlighted Larson’s versatility, from dirt ovals and Cup races to competing in the Indy 500.

Former Johnson crew chief Steve Letarte recently likened Larson’s consistency and adaptability to Johnson’s, noting Larson’s wins in Cup, dirt, and truck races, plus nearly pulling a “Double” at Indy and Charlotte. “For me, his personality reminds me of Jimmie in his prime. I was fortunate enough [as] crew chief in the building and saw Jimmie [regularly],” he said.

Johnson pointed out that this visibility wasn’t harmful. It’s been good for Larson’s exposure to new fans, even if Larson’s humility may waver. He praised Larson’s authenticity, comparing him to legends who excelled across disciplines. Even Larson’s career track, before the Cup spotlight, was already making waves.

Nicknamed “Yung Money” during his early days in USAC, he quickly built a reputation for his natural feel behind the wheel. At just 20 years old, Larson was turning heads with his daring style and raw pace in the Truck Series. Within a couple of years, he jumped into the Cup Series and eventually clinched the championship in 2021.

Johnson’s final take? “So, I believe it’s truly been a net positive, although I am sure that at times it might not be fun.” For Larson, the firestorm may have been awkward, but it also reminded the racing world of something undeniable. Talent speaks louder than headlines, especially when it shows up everywhere from Knoxville to Indy.