“I’m so lucky to have you”: When Kyle Larson paid tribute to NASCAR icon Jeff Gordon following legendary 2021 season

Kyle Larson opened up about his role model Jeff Gordon
Kyle Larson opened up about his role model Jeff Gordon (Source: Imagn)

Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson took the stage of the NASCAR award ceremony and expressed his gratitude for having the four-time Cup Series Champion Jeff Gordon by his side. Larson recalled his childhood memories and mentioned how Gordon has been a role model to several kids, including himself.

Larson used to race for Chip Ganassi Racing and was dropped during the mid-2020 season. Then Hendrick Motorsport showcased an interest in the driver, and Jeff Gordon played a key role in securing Larson's spot as a full-time driver for the #5 Chevy Camaro ZL1.

During the award night, Kyle Larson highlighted that when he was five years old and went to kindergarten, Jeff Gordon was his role model, and he got emotional during the moment. Reflecting upon the situation, Larson said:

"Jeff Gordon Man is a five-year-old dressing up for my first day of kindergarten head to toe in rainbow dupont twenty-four gear with the matching backpack. I probably didn't think I'd be sharing this stage with you. Twenty-five years later, as my boss, you were a role model to so many kids from California like myself. You're still that same role model and one of the most humble people I've ever met."

The Hendrick Motorsports driver concluded that he feels "lucky" to have a figure like Jeff Gordon in his life.


HMS VP revealed how Kyle Larson signed the contract for the team

Before signing a deal with Hendrick Motorsport, Kyle Larson was fired from Chip Ganassi Racing during the 2020 season with a job. But during Larson's unemployment, two major teams in NASCAR competed to get 'Yung Money's' sign on their contracts.

Finally, HMS got the 32-year-old Cup Series driver's signature on their contract and announced that Larson would compete for HMS in 2021. Years later, Gordon revealed how it happened on NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick's "Happy Hour" podcast.

Gordon highlighted that he told Rick Hendrick that Kyle Larson was available to sign a contract and Hendrick was interested in Larson. So Gordon sat down with Larson face-to-face and made it happen. He added:

"We went over to his house and Rick and myself and Kyle sat down and you just knew that this guy's mind and heart were in the right place and that he was willing to do everything that it took to get back into a top-notch ride and his interest at that time was Hendrick Motorsports. I had heard that Tony Stewart (was interested in Kyle Larson), and I wouldn't have been surprised. We're both past dirt racers, Tony spends a lot more time on the dirt tracks than I did. So I knew that there was probably something there that we might be competing with." [21:50]

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Larson won the Cup Series championship title in his first year with Hendrick Motorsports bagging ten wins, 18 stage wins, and 20 top-five wins, showcasing his dominance.

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Edited by Tushhita Barua
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