Almost a year ago, Kyle Larson, the Hendrick Motorsports driver, was at a career high, having just won his third Knoxville Nationals. At that time, he boldly claimed he was a better all-around driver than Max Verstappen, sparking debates about their respective greatness. However, after a difficult few weeks in 2025, Larson has publicly withdrawn from that confident stance.
Despite some top-ten finishes recently (8th at Nashville and 5th at Michigan), Larson has endured several painful weekends. His 2025 season has been marked by misfortunes, including crashing out of the Indy 500 on lap 91 due to hybrid engine problems during his second attempt at the challenging “Double” (competing in both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day). At the Coca-Cola 600, after leading 34 laps, he spun out and was caught in a large crash on lap 245. Most recently, in the Viva Mexico 250 at Mexico City, Larson’s No. 5 Chevy was involved in a multi-car crash just seven laps into the race, triggered by Kyle Busch spinning out. Larson finished 36th.
Following the Mexico City race, Larson publicly refuted the idea that he considers himself the “greatest of all time” (GOAT). He said, “Well, I, although the public thinks that I think that, I don’t necessarily think that I’m the greatest in the world. But, no, I’ve heard the accolades and the comments and all that for a long, long time.” This marks a clear departure from his previous confident assertions.
Larson reflected on the comparisons made between him and NASCAR and IndyCar legends such as Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Mario Andretti, and AJ Foyt—figures he respects greatly. He noted that Tony Stewart is the only driver to have completed the “Double,” and Mario Andretti is renowned for his versatility, having won both the Indy 500 and Daytona 500. Despite a disappointing 2025 season, Larson remains optimistic about his career, saying, “I’m still only 32 and I’ve got a lot of racing left to do, and I hope I can accomplish a lot more to really feel like I’m deserving of that credit.”
The article also discusses the unique challenges of the Mexico City race, held at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the highest circuit on the Formula 1 and NASCAR calendars at 2,240 meters above sea level. The high altitude reduces oxygen, affecting engine power and downforce, making braking points difficult to judge. Larson explained that simulators underestimated these effects, causing many drivers to struggle with braking zones. The race was further complicated by rain, and when it resumed on a wet track, Kyle Busch’s brakes locked up (“turned to ice”), causing the crash that collected Larson and others.
Despite the setbacks, Larson is taking a more realistic and humble approach to his NASCAR season, focusing on improving and reclaiming his status in the sport as 2025 progresses.
