Kyle Larson has declared himself the busiest driver in all of motorsports as he embarks on a packed May schedule, and yet, in the face of what many are calling an absolutely insane racing itinerary, he remains remarkably calm. In fact, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion says this is the time of year when he feels most at ease — even when juggling five different racing disciplines over the span of just four weeks.
It’s a whirlwind few weeks ahead for Larson, and it begins with multiple events under the High Limit Racing series, which he co-owns. That’s just the start. He has already stepped in to replace Connor Zilisch in the NASCAR Xfinity Series following Zilisch’s crash at Talladega, and all signs point to Larson also substituting for Zilisch again this weekend in the Truck Series race at Kansas.
From there, the chaos only builds. The Truck Series race will be quickly followed by Larson’s second Cup Series event of the month. But instead of catching a breather, Larson will immediately shift gears — literally and figuratively — by heading to Indianapolis to prepare for one of the most prestigious events in motorsports: the Indy 500. He will participate in practice runs and qualifying sessions, balancing this intense schedule with absolute focus.
But as insane as that may seem, it still doesn’t end there. Larson plans to leave the Indy 500 qualifying rounds just before the Fast Six — the final shootout for pole position — and catch a flight to North Wilkesboro in North Carolina to compete in the million-dollar NASCAR All-Star Race. Then, it’s back to Indianapolis for more Indy 500 prep, followed by a quick trip to Charlotte for media day duties with other Indy 500 drivers, then Coca-Cola 600 qualifying, and finally, racing in both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 — two of the longest and most grueling events in motorsports, all within hours of each other.
And breathe.
Despite the chaos, Larson remains incredibly composed, even amused. “Everyone thinks it’s like running around non-stop, but honestly, this is the easiest schedule I’ve had all year,” Larson said over the weekend. “I’m never in one place for more than six days, so it’s actually really great.” His perspective is surprising to many, given how demanding this level of commitment is — physically, mentally, and logistically.
Still, there’s a strategic dilemma looming. If Larson qualifies for the Fast Six during Indy 500 qualifying — the final round that determines pole position — he will almost certainly miss the start of the All-Star Race. It’s a difficult choice between potentially securing a prestigious front-row start at Indy or competing in a race with a $1 million prize on the line.
“I think I’ll probably skip the Fast Six and run the All-Star Race,” Larson admitted. “Racing is what matters. There’s a lot of money on the line. Sure, it’d be cool to go for the pole, but I’d rather race for a million dollars and start sixth. You never really know how it’s all going to play out. First, we have to make sure the car’s fast enough to even be in that conversation.”
Beyond the logistics and the prize money, Larson’s sheer passion for the sport is what stands out the most. He sees the opportunity to compete in this wide variety of races as a badge of honor — proof of his versatility, endurance, and dedication.
“Nobody races as much as I do,” he said confidently. “And I think that says something. It’s about staying in great shape. When I’m not racing, I’m training, working out, trying to eat right — and yeah, sometimes that can be tough. But I feel good about where I’m at right now.”
Larson’s commitment is both rare and admirable in a sport where most drivers are content to focus on a single series. His drive to compete — literally — across as many tracks and formats as possible is turning heads throughout the racing world. Some call it reckless, others call it inspiring. But no one can deny that Kyle Larson is pushing the boundaries of what a modern racecar driver can handle.
As the month unfolds, fans and experts alike will be watching closely, not just to see whether Larson can win races, but to see if his audacious bet on himself — to outlast, outperform, and outdrive everyone else — will pay off. Whether he crosses the finish line first or not, there’s one thing that’s already clear: no one races harder, or with more heart, than Kyle Larson.
