The upcoming 2025 NASCAR Cup season will prove to be a spectacle for many. From rookie drivers to some established names, NASCAR will witness some key changes in the game. With international appearances in Mexico City and multiple rule changes, NASCAR has been preparing hard for the prestigious event.

However, in the ongoing season, star NASCAR driver Kyle Larson has been making headlines. The Hendrick Motorsports driver won back-to-back three dirt racing events before the prestigious Daytona 500. He went on to Australia to win the biggest dirt racing prize in the country. He further visited Tulsa twice to win three Golden Driller trophies. As these victories establish him as one of the racing superstars Former NASCAR driver Mark Martin takes a shy dig into Larson.

As the pilot of Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 5 car, Larson has taken the sport by storm with his fearless and aggressive driving style. His success, marked by 29 Cup Series wins and countless jaw-dropping performances has earned him widespread admiration—and a bit of controversy. In a recent social media post, a former Hendrick Motorsports driver shared a hilarious video of parallel parking on snow. He hilariously called it Kyle Larson’s parking style.

“I’m pretty sure that was @KyleLarsonRacin parking,” Martin posted on the social media platform X. His comments left the NASCAR community divided on social media as few called out Larson’s driving style. One fan joked, “Either one of the best or one of the worst drivers.” This sentiment captured Larson’s polarizing style, where breathtaking wins and dramatic crashes often go hand-in-hand.

Kyle Larson’s aggressive driving style, while often a spectacle to behold, doesn’t always lead to glory. During the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, Larson’s championship hopes suffered a major blow. A daring move on a mid-race restart ended in disaster, triggering a multi-car collision and reshaping the race’s outcome.

The chaos began after a pit stop left Larson in ninth place at the restart. Determined to make up ground quickly, he attempted a bold move in turn 3, hoping to avoid being stuck at the bottom of a three-wide pack. Larson took a shallow entry into the turn, aiming to funnel himself up the track. Unfortunately, the gamble backfired.

Struggling to maintain control along the white line, Larson’s car spun out at the corner exit. The spin set off a chain reaction, causing significant damage not only to Larson’s Chevrolet but also to the cars of Bubba Wallace, Christopher Bell, and Joey Logano. This is one of those incidents that reflects why Larson’s driving style is a double-edged sword.

However, it’s worth noting that Mark Martin has been a very big Kyle Larson fan. A few days ago, in an interview, Martin called Larson a generational talent. “As far as Kyle Larson is concerned, behind the wheel—I’m not going to go fanboy on him, but I’m going to tell you something: he’s a once-in-a-generation talent [that] we have the privilege to witness,” Martin said in an interview with Chase Holden.

Fan debate as Mark Martin takes a sly dig at Larson

Despite him being a Kyle Larson fanboy, Mark Martin’s latest comments have stirred a massive debate among NASCAR fans. Social media platforms buzzed with creative takes, with fans either celebrating Larson’s genius or playfully poking fun at his aggressive style. One fan quipped, “I know he’s the best alive, but this might be an addiction at this point.” For many, Larson’s relentless pursuit of victory seems like a compulsion, as he pushes himself and his car to the edge.

Some fans couldn’t resist highlighting the Michigan crash with humorous takes. “Yeah, I don’t know how people say that driver doesn’t know how to drive in those conditions. Looks like a perfectly executed parallel parking job to me,” one fan remarked, blending humor with admiration for Larson’s skills.

Notably, after the Michigan crash, Larson accepted his mistake and said, “I just messed up. You try to get all you can on restarts. I was just trying to funnel myself up the racetrack. I didn’t want to get stuck on the bottom three-wide. Just got myself in an awkward aero spot and lost it. It’s unfortunate. I made a mistake and cost ourselves a lot of points today.”

It’s worth noting that the 29-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner failed to put up a show in the playoffs of the 2024 season as he finished outside Championship 4. Despite having six victories, his crucial mistakes dented his championship plans. Meanwhile, some fans gave a lighthearted touch to the debate.

“Luckily, there was no grass at the end,” another fan commented, referencing the crash’s chaotic aftermath with a light-hearted touch. Others marveled at his precision, with one noting, “If you think about it, this is probably the same distance from turn entry to exit running the slider line… so checks out.”

Amid the ongoing debate around his driving style, Kyle Larson is preparing hard for the upcoming season. After winning multiple midget tournaments in the last few weeks, Larson will be keen to convert his 2024 performance into a championship-winning run.