Is Kyle Larson the Best All-Around Driver in the World?
The Stats
With wins in NASCAR, IndyCar, and sports car racing, Larson is a versatile driver. In 2024, he won the Chili Bowl Nationals, the Knoxville Nationals, and the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car World Championship – becoming the first driver in history to win all three in the same year.- 28 NASCAR Cup Series wins
- 13 NASCAR Xfinity Series wins
- 7 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series wins
- 2 NTT IndyCar Series wins
- 24 Hours of Daytona win
The Competition
Larson's toughest competition is Max Verstappen, who has won 35 Formula 1 races and is a two-time world champion. Both drivers are known for their aggressive driving style and their ability to win from anywhere on the track.Verstappen, however, races in a single series – Formula 1, the pinnacle of open-wheel racing in the world, and less than 20 drivers are fortunate enough to race in any given year. NASCAR, on the other hand, features three major series: Cup, Xfinity, and Trucks, with over 30 full-time drivers in each. You have to be a different kind of driver to win races in three different disciplines, and Larson has shown he is that kind.
The Future
It remains to be seen who will be the best all-around driver in the world in the years to come. Larson and Verstappen are both young and talented, and they are both capable of winning races in multiple series. However, Larson's versatility may give him an edge over Verstappen.Kevin Harvick, a NASCAR Cup Series champion, believes Larson is the more complete driver. "Kyle Larson is a better all-around driver than Max Verstappen," Harvick said. "He can win on any type of track, in any type of car."
If Larson continues to win races in multiple series, he will likely cement his status as the best all-around driver in the world.
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