Kyle Larson Added to NASCAR’s “75 Greatest” List

In 1998, during its 50th anniversary season, NASCAR unveiled what it considered its 50 greatest drivers. The list included most of the stars from the organization’s earliest years, many of whom eventually would find their way into the NASCAR Hall of Fame when it opened in 2010.

Beginning April 9, the sanctioning body will add 25 names to its “all-time” list as part of its 75th anniversary celebration. It is expected to name five drivers per week—most likely one per weekday—in the five weeks ending with the May 14th Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina.

The newest group among the sport’s greatest drivers is being selected by a committee comprised of former drivers, team owners, industry personnel, NASCAR executives, and current and former media members. All 75—the original 50 class named 25 years ago and the new 25—will be recognized during Goodyear 400 pre-race ceremonies.

As NASCAR celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1998, company president Bill France called that group “the men who define the competition of our sport.” He added, “Their accomplishments are the benchmark that much of our history is identified by. Honoring them in this way, at the beginning of the NASCAR 50th anniversary celebration, is one way of showing our true appreciation for them and the invaluable contribution they have given over the past 50 years. These are the drivers who made and make NASCAR fans stand on their feet and cheer. These are the drivers who are NASCAR history.”

The original “50 Greatest Drivers” were from the Modified, Xfinity Series, and Cup Series. The Craftsman Truck Series was too young to have had any “greatest drivers,” but that’s expected to change with this new group.

Today’s Addition: Kyle Larson

For someone whose NASCAR career seemed stalled in 2020, Kyle Larson has rebounded in spectacular fashion. So much so, in fact, that he’s been named among the “next” 25 on NASCAR’s list of its 75 Greatest Drivers.

By 2020, the California native had won six times over seven seasons with owner Chip Ganassi. He seemed assured of a solid stock car career. But he lost everything early that season after making racially insensitive remarks during an online racing event. Sponsors and patrons dropped him, Ganassi fired him, and NASCAR suspended him for the rest of 2000.

But the 2014 Cup Rookie of the Year remade himself by going through NASCAR-mandated sensitivity training. He volunteered to work with minority inner-city kids, where he became more attuned to their concerns. Rick Hendrick was impressed enough to hire Larson late in 2020 after NASCAR lifted its suspension.

Working with crew chief Cliff Daniels for the first time, Larson won 10 races and the 2021 Cup Series title in a major surprise. All told, the 30-year-old has 20 Cup victories, 13 in the Xfinity Series, and two in the Craftsman Truck Series. His most recent Cup victory was early this month at Richmond.