Kyle Larson has spent years building one of the most decorated résumés in motorsports, balancing NASCAR with dirt track racing. However, he has admitted that family commitments and changing perspective are beginning to influence how he sees his future. 

Back in 2018, the now Hendrick Motorsports driver caused a lot of stir in the NASCAR community when he commented about retiring from the series to pursue Sprint cars. However, nearly a decade later, he has won nearly 100 races in the sprint car and has two NASCAR championships and has no plans of slowing down for now. 

During an interview with Motorsports.com, he was questioned whether he still viewed Sprint Car racing as his next chapter. Responding to the same, Larson revealed that his priorities have changed over the years. 

"I started saying this last year, but 40 is my next milestone," Larson said during the interview. "I want to get there and then evaluate if I want to keep going or be done. It all depends on where my kids are in their lives and interests."

He further elaborated on his decision; the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports driver pointed to both his achievements on track and his family commitments. 

“I just don’t know what a championship would add to my career, so I’m just not into the idea now. And like I said, I think my kids are going to be busy doing their own racing by that time, so do I really want to commit to an 80-to-90 race schedule? 

Kyle Larson’s children, Owen and Audrey Larson, have been making a name for themselves in the lower racing series. Audrey recently won the  Junior Sprint A-Main at Port City Raceway. Her older brother Owen won the Restricted Micro Feature race at Milbridge Speedway. 

Despite all of this, Larson’s plans remain flexible, admitting that his perspective on his future in NASCAR could change. 

“I just feel like I have a really good balance in my schedule this year and I’m enjoying that,” Larson said. But you never know, and six or seven years down the road, things might change.” 

As of now, Kyle Larson seems to be content with the balance he has struck between his racing schedule and family life. 

Kyle Larson reacts to Alex Bowman’s retirement

While Larson continues to evaluate what lies ahead for him in his NASCAR career, his teammate Alex Bowman has decided to step away from the series. 

On July 23, Hendrick Motorsports announced the one-year contract extension for Bowman, carrying him through the 2027 season, and shortly announced that he was stepping away from full-time NASCAR Cup Series racing after the contract lapses. 

During his media availability ahead of the Brickyard 400, Kyle Larson addressed his teammate's departure from the sport after 2027. 

"He's been an amazing teammate," Larson said (via NASCAR. com). "Probably the best teammate you can ask for. I've really enjoyed my time with him; he's made us all better. Really enjoyed having him around, you know, in the debriefs and all that because he brings a dry sense of humor that we all enjoy. And he can drive the heck out of a race car."

While Alex Bowman’s future is sealed, Kyle Larson remains open to his.  

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Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco