Just days after etching his name into NASCAR history with a second Cup Series championship, Kyle Larson isn’t exactly slowing down. The 2025 title win at Phoenix was a career-defining moment. It was the perfect culmination of skill, grit, and some bold pit strategy (and luck) that sealed his place among NASCAR’s elite.

For most drivers, that would mean time to unwind, reflect, maybe even take a break. But, no, not for Larson. The 33-year-old has always lived for the grind, the next challenge, the next race. And as he celebrated with his team and family, his mind was already shifting gears toward what comes next. Because for Kyle Larson, there’s no such thing as an offseason. For ‘Yung Money,’ it’s just another stretch of tracks to conquer and engines to fire up.

A typical off-season for Kyle Larson

Despite just clinching the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship, Kyle Larson is already gearing up for a packed off-season with virtually no breaks. “I’ll be back. I’ll be racing next week in California,” Larson assured fans on the Dale Jr. Download podcast. Before that, he’s engaged in a media tour and spending some family time in Cabo, starting November 6, 2025. “We got some media tour stuff this week, and then I’ll go to Cabo for a little bit, then straight back to work really, with production days and stuff.

Larson’s busy schedule quickly moves into action with production days, followed by racing USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midgets at Placerville Speedway on November 14 and 15. This event marks a partnership between Larson and Russell Motorsports Inc. to promote the popular Hangtown 100 weekend, representing Larson’s continued passion for midget racing even while dominating NASCAR’s top level.

“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,” Larson said. After Placerville, Larson will head to the Turkey Night Grand Prix at Ventura, a revered midget racing classic, before jetting off to Australia for a weekend.

Following that, he plans to spend a couple of weeks in Oklahoma in preparation for the 2026 NASCAR pre-season, which will kick off with the Clash at the Bowman Gray Stadium, an exhibition event setting the tone for the upcoming season. Reflecting on his schedule, Larson said, “Pretty, pretty normal offseason though for me. You know, a little bit of vacation and some racing.”

And this is not the first time Larson has had such a packed off-season schedule. His 2024 off-season was highly active and successful, setting him up for a strong 2025 campaign. He dominated at California’s Merced Speedway, capturing both the USAC National Midgets and 360 Sprint Car titles.

Larson also won the prestigious Chili Bowl Nationals for the third time earlier this year, showcasing his exceptional skills on dirt tracks. He also took a family vacation to the Bahamas, embracing downtime before returning to racing and media commitments. Finally, he ended his off-season with the Clash at the Bowman Gray on February 2nd, 2025.

Kyle Larson’s heartfelt messages

Kyle Larson’s 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship wasn’t just about another trophy. In fact, it was also a moment of reflection and gratitude. During the NASCAR Awards ceremony, Larson shared a touching message for his lifelong idol and current boss, Jeff Gordon. Once a kid in California idolizing the “Rainbow Warrior,” Larson now shares a professional bond with the legend who shaped his dreams.

“Jeff Gordon, man,” Larson began, his voice filled with emotion. “As a five-year-old dressing up for my first day of kindergarten, head to toe in rainbow DuPont 24 gear with the matching backpack, I probably didn’t think I’d be sharing this stage with you 25 years later as my boss.” He continued, “You’re a role model to so many Dirt Kids in California like myself. You’re still that same role model and one of the most humble people I’ve ever met. I’m so lucky to have you in my corner.”

The emotional exchange between mentor and mentee, both California dirt racers turned NASCAR champions, was shared by NASCAR on X with the caption: “Four years later, you’ll share the stage with him again, @KyleLarsonRacin. ❤️” It was a full-circle moment that perfectly encapsulated Larson’s journey and Gordon’s lasting influence.

Yet even in victory, Larson’s mind wasn’t entirely on celebration. Reflecting on Denny Hamlin’s heartbreak at Phoenix, he admitted to feeling conflicted about the outcome. “There’s definitely a large part of me that feels really bad and sad,” Larson said in a post-race interview.

Hamlin, who dominated much of the race after starting from pole, lost the championship due to a late-race pit strategy call. While Hamlin’s four-tire stop dropped him to sixth, Larson’s two-tire gamble sealed the deal. It was triumph and heartbreak, the dual nature of racing, all captured in one unforgettable night.

From idolizing Jeff Gordon as a young kid to standing beside him as a champion, Larson’s story reflects the kind of legacy NASCAR thrives on – one built on respect, resilience, and relentless passion. And even in victory, his empathy toward Hamlin showed that beneath the fierce competitor lies a racer who deeply understands the highs and lows that define the sport.