William Byron Explains Why He’s Still Immune to the Dirt Racing Bug His Hendrick Motorsports Teammate Kyle Larson Has Spread Across NASCAR
Add us on Google
William Byron Explains Why He’s Still Immune to the Dirt Racing Bug His Hendrick Motorsports Teammate Kyle Larson Has Spread Across NASCAR
Add us on Google
Getty
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 17: Kyle Larson driver of the #24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet waits in the garage area during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Getty
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 17: Kyle Larson driver of the #24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet waits in the garage area during NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on November 17, 2021 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
It wouldn’t be unfair to say that Kyle Larson has really infected his fellow NASCAR drivers with the midget racing bug. Be it Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, or Ricky Stenhouse Jr, most drivers are giving dirt racing a go.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
However, Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, William Byron, isn’t quite ready to dip his feet into midget racing just yet. This was something the #24 driver recently opened up on in a recent interview.
“I just don’t think I’ve got enough into midgets, I’ve never done it. But I don’t think (with) my experience level, I don’t wanna crash. I could see maybe doing a micro race, or just going to tests and having some fun,” Byron said. “But dirt’s a pretty far departure with what I grew up with, definitely not an easy transition.”
“The problem I have with dirt is I’ve never really watched the race on dirt. I don’t really know what you do, I think that’s probably my weakness. I just don’t know where to start, it just looks all different to me,” Byron continued.
“It could be fun, we’ll see. Just try to race as much as I can, that’s kinda the goal and hopefully, getting good stuff along the way.”
Kyle Larson calls out NASCAR with their dirt racing approach
A few weeks ago, Kyle Larson criticized NASCAR for half-heartedly embracing dirt racing ahead of the Bristol dirt race. The one thing that bugged the defending Cup champion about NASCAR’s approach, was the fact that they chose to race with the windshields on.
“I guess the way that I look at it (is) if we’re not going to take the windshields out, then why are we racing on dirt,” Larson said. “I feel like we’re just wasting everybody’s time a little bit and not giving the fans and competitors what we all deserve.”
Getty
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 16: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series 64th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Kyle Larson argued that if the windshields won’t be taken out, NASCAR should never put dirt on Bristol again, something he believes isn’t necessary in the first place.
“I think the racing at Bristol is amazing just as normal,” he added.
WATCH THIS STORY: Dale Earnhardt or Jeff Gordon – Who Has the Most Wins at NASCAR’s “Cursed” Track?
