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Larson can keep racing on dirt - Hendrick
Kyle Larson has the blessing of Rick Hendrick to keep racing on dirt when he joins Hendrick Motorsports for his NASCAR return in 2021; a notable exception from an owner who has always preferred his drivers to limit their extracurricular activities.
“I think everybody knows that dirt racing is important to me and continuing to do that is important to me, but at the same time, I obviously know my priorities are here at Hendrick Motorsports and having my full focus on that,” said Larson.
“Yeah, I’ll still be able to race dirt stuff next season, but if there’s meetings or anything going on revolving around my NASCAR commitments, then that’s what comes first. I’m thankful that they’re letting me still run dirt stuff next year. I think with the schedule being a little more open like it was this year, I’ll have plenty of opportunities to get my fun in and stay sharp, and continue to become a better race car driver. I’m definitely thankful for that.”
“I don’t want to see him get hurt, but this is his love, and I think it actually makes him sharper," said Rick Hendrick.
"As long as it doesn’t interfere with the NASCAR team, then I’m OK. Like he said, if we get in a championship run and being 100 percent committed to his job here, as long as he can do that and race the dirt too, it’s OK.”
Kelly Crandall
Kelly has been on the NASCAR beat full-time since 2013, and joined RACER as chief NASCAR writer in 2017. Her work has also appeared in NASCAR.com, the NASCAR Illustrated magazine, and NBC Sports. A corporate communications graduate from Central Penn College, Crandall is a two-time George Cunningham Writer of the Year recipient from the National Motorsports Press Association.
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