Kyle Larson has proved to be a force to be reckoned with ever since he started racing. He also won the 24 Hours of Daytona race, having won the event with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2015. Of course, he soon moved up to the top fleet of the Cup Series.

And Mr. H was so fond of him that when no one was willing to sponsor him, he himself got him racing under the Hendrickcars.com name. But much before Rick Hendrick had a chance to snag Larson for his own team, Tony Stewart had the golden opportunity to make the 2021 Cup Champion a part of his fleet.

But he missed it.

NBC Journalist, Robin Miller recalled an old incident with Stewart in a 2019 interview with Larson, where the three-time Cup Series Champion considered signing Larson.

Miller detailed their encounter, “Stewart and I are standing in the infield, Eldora when he [Kyle Larson] sweeps the Silver Crown and stewards like Apoplectic. He goes, ‘I’ve never seen anything like this’. He goes, ‘if that kid wins a Silver Crown race, I’m gonna write him a check for ten grand out of my pocket’.”

And then the journalist shared the advice he gave to Stewart “I said, ‘Well, if you were smart, you’ll put a contract under because all he wants to do is drive World of Outlaws or Stock cars. And you’ve got teams in both of those’. Stewart’s like, ‘Well. I don’t have a ride for him. I say, well who cares? Sign him.'”

Unfortunately, he didn’t sign him and clearly regretted it, “And then next time I see Stewart was that Chilli Bowl he goes, ‘God I screwed up’.” 

Read More: Kyle Larson’s Former Teammate Believes Ross Chastain Went from Hero to Zero as Chase Elliott Was Left Unsure of Whom to Blame

But Stewart was so fond of Larson that he puts him on a very high level.

Tony Stewart called Kyle Larson the best racecar driver he has ever seen

A three-time Cup Series Champion, and someone as iconic as Tony Stewart labeling a driver as the best has got to be one of the highest honors for any driver. But that’s exactly what happened.

Larson had a dominating 2021 Cup Series season. But he did not want to stop at being a regular season winner, he wanted to prove himself at Phoenix. Luckily, he prevailed at Phoenix, emerging as the 2021 Cup Series Champion. Although many expected and wanted him to be the champion, the excitement was still in the air as he saw the #5 driver finally show the NASCAR world just how fast he is.

However, Tony Stewart added to the excitement in a way no one else could, as the NASCAR icon called him the “best race car driver” in a Tweet.

WATCH THIS STORY: “He Did to Me What He Did to Kyle Larson” – Unheard Bubba Wallace Victim Breaks His Silence & Launches Alleged Exposè

Do you agree with Tony Stewart? Let us know in the comments.