Getty
BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 18: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 Valvoline Chevrolet, waves to fans during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 18, 2021 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
Getty
BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 18: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 Valvoline Chevrolet, waves to fans during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 18, 2021 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
In 2011, after Jimmie Johnson won his fifth title, he started a Champion’s Journal tradition. This is an exclusive leather journal in which the NASCAR champions write a note after their winning year and read what champions before them have written. Since Johnson, six other drivers have earned access to this mantle, and next in line now is Kyle Larson.
Larson won his first Cup Series title in quite a dominant fashion. He won 10 races in the season and now he will pen down his thoughts and go through the secret journal. And it’s not dramatic to call it a secret.
In an interview with SiriusXM, Larson himself said, “It’s the best-kept secret in our sport.” He added, “It’s the coolest thing in our sport.”
“I’ve always wanted to have the chance to get that journal and you have to win the championship to get that. So, I’m looking forward to reading it.”
TUNE IN ALERT: Don't miss the PREMIERE of our "Championship Year in Review" w/ @ClaireBLang on SATURDAY at 12 PM EST. @KyleLarsonRacin, @DanielsCliff and more!
Here's a sneak peek of what to expect: Larson on the "champion's journal" he's set to receive from @chaseelliott. pic.twitter.com/sbRmskUFkj
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) December 3, 2021
But what does Larson expect to be written in the journal?
“I’m assuming, like I said I haven’t seen it, but I’m assuming it’s just a lot of respect, I think, between all the drivers.”
Kyle Larson will receive the journal in December from teammate Elliott
Larson’s teammate and 2020 champion, Chase Elliott, said that he plans to present the journal to Larson during the HMS holiday celebration. He described that it’s an honor to read it and pass it along to his teammate.
Elliott also explained how he wished they’d started the tradition sooner. So that along with greats like Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart, they could read about what other legends had to say after their title wins.
“I wish they had started it sooner. Having been a champion and having a chance to read it, I just wish it went back further. I think it would be incredible.”
Sadly for Elliott and Larson, the Champion’s Journal only has entries from modern greats. It’s only a decade old. But one can imagine that in 50 years’ time, drivers from the future won’t have the same complaints of not getting to read what all-time greats wrote.
After all, drivers like Kyle Larson and Elliott are all-time greats in the making.
Also Read: Kyle Larson Believes Chip Ganassi is the ‘Main Reason’ for His NASCAR Success
