Kyle Larson has had quite the whirlwind schedule lately. Fresh off a triumphant stint in Australia, the NASCAR star wasn’t content with just dominating Down Under. Nope, he hopped on a long-haul flight, battled continuous jet lag, and rushed back stateside to compete in one of the iconic events in the world of micro-sprint racing – the Tulsa Shootout.

So, what’s the story behind his frantic journey? Larson’s got three solid reasons, and knowing ‘Yung Money’, they probably won’t surprise you.

Why the rush back? Family, racing, and… Jet lag therapy

Kyle Larson made headlines in Perth at the High Limit International 410 Sprint Car event, not only by winning the richest prize in Australian sprint car history—AUD 100,000—but by making a lasting impression on the fans. He raced, sold out his merch multiple times, and built his reputation as a global motorsports star.

But after the celebrations, it was straight to the airport for a grueling journey: a flight to Sydney, a 15-hour haul to Los Angeles, and a tight connection to Tulsa. Despite the jet lag, Larson was determined to be there for the Shootout.

Speaking with High Racing reporter Tony LaPorta, Larson shared exactly why he prioritized his return for the Tulsa Shootout. When LaPorta asked why it was so important, Larson explained: “Well, yeah, I mean for one, to be here for Owen and, you know, his racing—it’s his first time at the Shootout. Two, it was our youngest son’s birthday on the 31st, so it was nice to get back for that. And then, three, I just love racing. So, yeah, it’s a cool event where I can run four different classes and get to race with Chad Boat some more.”

Larson admitted that the long days at the Shootout have actually helped him shake off the jet lag. “I feel like the Shootout’s helped my jet lag quite a bit because it is early mornings and long days. So you kind of have to power through the tiredness,” he said. “I’ve been back on American time zones for a couple of days now, so getting lots of sleep again and racing really well too. Hopefully, we can win one of these things.”

Despite all the jet lag and fatigue, Larson fulfilled his hopes as he brought the Golden Driller home. However, the Shootout wasn’t just about him. His son, Owen, competed in the Junior Sprints division for the first time. While Owen finished sixth in a race won by Brexton Busch—son of Kyle Busch—it was still a memorable week for the Larson family.

“Being here for Owen’s first Shootout was really special,” Larson said. “He’s still learning, but it’s great to see him out there and to share this experience with him.” 

Daddy Larson wasn’t just watching Owen compete with the other kids, he got in on the action too, and boy, was he in for a surprise!

Trending

1

Denny Hamlin Appeals to Joe Gibbs for a Move Away From the Cup Series Amid Declining Quality

2

Kyle Busch’s Incriminating Words Echo Amidst Reignited ‘Forgery’ Allegations

3

“RIP” – Brad Keselowski and Racing Family Joined in Mourning After the Loss of Close Confidant

4

Roger Penske’s Man Tries to Save Face After Joey Logano Publicly Embarrasses Them All

5

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Recalls How Chase Elliott’s Father Antagonised the Intimidator Even Off the Track

Kyle Larson races the young guns: A fun, unpredictable challenge

The Tulsa Shootout is unlike anything else Larson’s used to. With nearly 2,000 entries across multiple classes and a mix of drivers ranging from seasoned veterans to kids as young as 11, the competition offers a unique challenge.

“For me, it’s a lot of fun here because there’s no other event like the Tulsa Shootout. I mean, there’s almost 2,000 entries and lots of different classes, lots of different age ranges,” Larson said. “Like, I’m racing against 11-year-olds in some of the stock classes, which is wild.”

But those younger competitors aren’t just there to make up the numbers—they bring their own unpredictable style to the track, forcing Larson to adjust. “I’m so used to racing with guys with a lot more experience… With more experienced guys, they’re easy to predict because they’ll make the “right” moves. So that’s a fun little challenge for me, and it’s interesting to have to shift my mindset a little bit when I’m racing these younger kids,” he explained.

The unpredictability makes the Shootout an exciting event, not just for fans but for Larson as well. “It’s been fun; it makes the week go by a bit faster,” he added.

The Tulsa Shootout hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Larson, but perseverance paid off in the end. Competing in four headline divisions—Non-Wing Outlaw, Winged Outlaw, Winged A-Class, and Stock Non-Wing—he faced fierce competition from veterans and up-and-comers alike.

The turning point came in a key heat race on January 2nd. In a thrilling finish, Larson made a daring high-line pass on Michael Hubert in the final lap, winning by just 0.048 seconds. That confidence boost propelled him into the 30-lap Winged Outlaw final, where Larson finally clinched his first Golden Driller trophy at the Tulsa Shootout.

Reflecting on the race, Larson said, “Once I moved up… you hate to get pounded and try to rip fast laps and wreck and make a mistake, cost yourself the lead. So I was just like being timid. Then we caught traffic—I thought I could move to the bottom and move past those two guys. Then one lapper just came and shut my lane down. Really got me in trouble… fortunate to hold on to the win there.”

In the end, Larson’s love for racing, dedication to his family, and drive to compete on any stage shone through. From dominating in Australia to triumphing at the Tulsa Shootout, it’s clear that, wherever he races, Kyle Larson is always in it to win it.