“It’s really special to be part of an event that means so much to me. Placerville Speedway is a place where my family and I grew up going to, not just as fans, but to race,” Kyle Larson said, a few days ago, as he revealed his busy post-season schedule. So, this weekend, the 33-year-old driver is racing in the USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midgets at Placerville Speedway.

The event is a collaboration between Larson and Russell Motorsports Inc. to bring the Hangtown 100 weekend to life. It showcases the former’s unwavering love for midget racing as he continues to shine at NASCAR’s highest level. However, Larson didn’t have a great start to the event. A viral video has torn through the internet. The recently-crowned champion found himself inches away from disaster, reminding everyone how quickly dirt racing can turn on you.

Kyle Larson nearly goes upside down!

Kyle Larson has run enough dirt laps in his life to know when things are about to go wrong. And at Placerville, they almost did. Heat 1 of the Hangtown 100 was rolling along smoothly with 10 laps to go, Larson sitting in fourth, biding his time.

But things changed when the 19AZ of Reinbold and the 32 of Sarale made contact ahead of the racing ace. Both cars slowed unexpectedly, and Larson, carrying momentum on the inside, had nowhere to go! His No. 1K suddenly clipped the No. 19 of Reinbold, sending Larson’s car pitching upward onto two wheels.

The scare wasn’t over, though. Just as Larson was gathering it up, Daison Pursley arrived with nowhere to go and bumped into his car from behind. For a moment, everyone watching had the same thought: Larson’s going over. You could almost feel the air suck out of the crowd.

This was Kyle Larson on a track he grew up on, running a format he loves, in front of a hometown audience. And he was a heartbeat away from flipping. But this is Larson at the end of the day. The guy who can race anything, anywhere, and somehow make chaos look like instinct. Against all odds, he managed to save it. The car snapped back down, stabilized, and continued forward like nothing had happened.

Momentum lost. Position lost. And just like that, fourth place was gone and replaced by a new reality by the end of the session: Larson would need to fight his way in through the Semi-Feature. For a driver who’s dominated NASCAR’s biggest stages, it was a reminder that no reputation guarantees safety. Even hometown heroes have to earn every inch the hard way.

Northern California honors its champion, and Larson gives back

Before the chaos of Heat 1 at Placerville Speedway, Larson’s visit to his hometown took on a deeper meaning as the Northern California community reminded him exactly how much he means to them. Elk Grove turned out in full force to celebrate their hometown hero, now a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion.

Fans packed the sidewalks of Elk Grove Boulevard, cheering as motorcycle escorts and firetrucks cleared the way. Larson rolled through in a cobalt blue Corvette, waving and smiling. He was probably still processing the fact that the same streets he once biked down now hosted a parade in his honor.

City and racing officials shared stories from Larson’s early days. They had everything to talk about, from his outlaw karts at seven, sprint car wins at Placerville, and a Golden State 410 title at 18. They declared November 14, 2025, “Kyle Miyata Larson Day” as his parents looked on.

“It just makes you feel special when the city that you grew up in and your local racetrack, Sonoma Raceway, come together to host this. So, it feels good. There’s a good fan turnout, and I get to see family and friends, and all that is special because I don’t get to see them too much. So, happy to be here,” said an emotional Larson.

After the ceremony, Larson did what he always does: he made time. He signed die-casts, shirts, and flags. He hugged relatives. He took photos until the crowds thinned. But for the driver, celebrating his own legacy was never the point. Just as much as the fans honor him, Larson honors the roots that built him. Which is why partnering with Russell Motorsports to boost the Hangtown 100 was a no-brainer.

“I’m really excited about Placerville. It’s my home track, and I really just appreciate what they’ve tried to do to build that event. I want to see it continue to grow, and I know I can draw people to the race track,” Larson said.

And as his busy post-season continues, even as a NASCAR superstar, Larson is determined to keep that next generation racing, learning, and dreaming on the same dirt he once did.