What Happened to Kyle Miyata Larson?
Kyle Larson is a highly accomplished American professional stock car racing driver, currently competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports, where he has secured two Cup Series championships. Known for his versatility, Larson also actively participates in various dirt track racing events, including sprint cars and midgets, and has recently extended his contract with Hendrick Motorsports through 2031.
Quick Answer
Kyle Larson is a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (2021, 2025) who continues to race full-time for Hendrick Motorsports, having recently signed a contract extension through 2031. As of July 2026, he is experiencing a notable 43-race winless streak in the Cup Series, the longest by a reigning champion, yet remains a championship contender. Outside of NASCAR, Larson actively competes in dirt track racing, securing a major sprint car victory in July 2026, and was recently announced as the cover athlete for an upcoming NASCAR video game.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline11 events
Suspended by NASCAR and Fired by Chip Ganassi Racing
Kyle Larson was indefinitely suspended by NASCAR and subsequently fired by Chip Ganassi Racing after using a racial slur during a virtual iRacing event.
Reinstated by NASCAR
NASCAR reinstated Kyle Larson after he completed sensitivity training and met other requirements, making him eligible to return to competition in 2021.
Signed by Hendrick Motorsports
Hendrick Motorsports announced that Kyle Larson would join their team to drive the No. 5 Chevrolet starting in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Wins First NASCAR Cup Series Championship
Kyle Larson secured his first NASCAR Cup Series championship, winning 10 races during the season and triumphing at the season finale in Phoenix.
Announces Plans for Indianapolis 500 Debut
Larson announced his intention to compete in the Indianapolis 500 in 2024, attempting 'The Double' by also racing in the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
Wins Second NASCAR Cup Series Championship
Kyle Larson clinched his second NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2025, despite a 24-race winless streak leading into the playoffs, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
Begins 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Season with Return to Chase Format
Larson began his 2026 Cup Series title defense as NASCAR confirmed the return of the 'Chase format,' where the championship is decided by points over the final 10 races.
Faces Extended Winless Drought in Cup Series
As of June 2026, Larson's Cup Series winless streak extended beyond 12 months, with discussions arising about a potential 'slump' amidst Toyota's dominance, though he remained a championship threat.
Wins Joker's Jackpot Sprint Car Race
Larson demonstrated his continued prowess in dirt track racing by winning the $100,000 Joker's Jackpot title at Eldora Speedway in a 410 Sprint car.
Cup Series Winless Streak Reaches 43 Races
Larson's NASCAR Cup Series winless drought reached 43 consecutive races, marking the longest such streak by a reigning champion in NASCAR history. His car chief also faced multiple ejections due to inspection failures.
Signs Contract Extension Through 2031 and Named Video Game Cover Athlete
Larson signed a major contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports through 2031, solidifying his long-term future. He was also selected as the cover athlete for an upcoming NASCAR video game.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Kyle Larson has established himself as one of the most versatile and talented drivers in modern motorsports. After a successful early career in dirt track racing, he transitioned to NASCAR, making his full-time Cup Series debut in 2014. His career saw a significant turning point in 2020 when he was suspended by NASCAR for using a racial slur during an iRacing event, leading to his release from Chip Ganassi Racing. Following a period of introspection and reinstatement, Larson joined Hendrick Motorsports in 2021, a move that revitalized his career.
His tenure with Hendrick Motorsports has been marked by immense success. In 2021, Larson dominated the NASCAR Cup Series, winning 10 races and ultimately securing his first Cup Series championship. This period showcased his exceptional talent and ability to adapt to the Next Gen car. He continued to be a strong contender in subsequent seasons, culminating in his second NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2025. This second title was notable as he achieved it despite a 24-race winless streak leading into the playoffs, demonstrating his clutch performance in critical moments.
As of July 2026, Larson's career continues to evolve. He signed a significant contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports, securing his future with the team through 2031, a move that silenced earlier speculation about his long-term plans. Despite this long-term commitment, the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season has presented new challenges. Larson is currently in a 43-consecutive-race winless drought, which is the longest by a reigning champion in NASCAR history. This streak has led to considerable debate among fans and analysts, especially given the dominance of Toyota teams in the 2026 season.
Despite the Cup Series win drought, Larson remains a consistent front-runner, accumulating multiple top-5 finishes and maintaining a position as a championship contender, sitting sixth in the standings as of June 2026. His team has also faced scrutiny, with car chief Jesse Saunders being ejected from three race weekends in 2026 due to pre-race inspection failures. Outside of NASCAR, Larson's passion for dirt racing remains undiminished. He continues to compete actively and successfully, most recently winning the $100,000 Joker's Jackpot title in a 410 Sprint car at Eldora Speedway on July 16, 2026. Furthermore, his popularity was highlighted by his selection as the cover athlete for an upcoming NASCAR video game. The 2026 season also saw NASCAR revert to the 'Chase format,' where the championship is decided by points over the final 10 races, a new challenge for Larson who previously raced under the playoff era system.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Kyle Miyata Larson made different choices?