After putting in the kind of season he did, one would assume Kyle Larson is off celebrating, giving interviews and resting. After all, it hasn’t even been two weeks since he lifted the NASCAR Cup Series trophy in Phoenix.

But that assumption, as reasonable as it is, is wrong.

Kyle Larson will take part in a race on the weekend. But don’t be surprised, NASCAR is still on schedule for 2022. It’s the other form of racing in which Larson not only excels in but has won several prestigious titles – dirt racing.

He will compete alongside his NASCAR driver Chase Elliott in the USAC National Midget Event from November 18-20. Elliott, who is Larson’s teammate at Hendrick Motorsports, will drive in the Kyle Larson Open Wheel car owned by, as one can guess – Kyle Larson.

The 29-year-old is the defending champion of the event, having won in 2019 as well.

Kyle Larson and dirt racing

The love affair between Kyle Larson and dirt racing goes a long way. In fact, Larson only came into notice of NASCAR teams after he won his first title in dirt racing in 2010.

However, he was advised by NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon to give up the ‘dirty racing’ in order to avoid any bad habits brewing up on his career on the tarmac. But Larson ignored the advice and followed his heart.

He is a regular in dirt racing fixtures, and while it’s one thing competing, it’s a completely different thing to win. And Larson has won, so much so that he’s somewhat of a legend at 29-years of age in the dirt racing world.

In 2021, while most headlines focused on his truly magnificent NASCAR season, Larson was also making waves in dirt racing. He won at Pennsylvania Speedweek, the BC39, Ohio Sprint Speedweek, Kings Royal, Prairie Dirt Classic, Knoxville Nationals and the crown jewel, Chili Bowl Nationals, for the second year in a row.

And while he was winning all these races, Larson was also putting in historic numbers, taking chequered flags, receiving high praise from all ends in NASCAR.

It’s no wonder that Larson is back on track, racing, undoubtedly honing, testing and finessing his far superior skills even more. Earlier this season, Rick Hendrick said that Larson ‘eats, sleeps and drinks’ racing.

“I’ve never seen anybody more intense who wants to race every minute of every day,” Hendrick said.

Perhaps this is the mentality and drive that separates the winners from the greats.

Also Read: Kyle Larson Reveals the Most Challenging Part Of His Victorious 2021 NASCAR Season