Kyle Larson recently reflected on Hendrick Motorsports’ groundbreaking achievement in the documentary American Thunder, which chronicles the team’s venture from NASCAR into the world’s oldest endurance race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 2023, Hendrick Motorsports partnered with Chevrolet, Goodyear, IMSA, and NASCAR to develop and race the Camaro ZL1 in a pioneering class, marking a bold foray beyond their traditional domain.
This project spanned over two years, resulting in a car that impressed fans and delivered competitive speed, surpassing some vehicles in the higher-tier GTE class. The Camaro ZL1’s driver lineup featured prominent names such as seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, 2010 Le Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller, and 2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button.
Kyle Larson applauded the team’s hard work and performance throughout the event, in which Hendrick Motorsports finished 39th out of 62 entries and surpassed several GTE Am competitors. The documentary also highlights team members like Jeff Gordon and Johnson taking turns driving a NASCAR stock car in the grueling 24-hour endurance race, showcasing their versatility and commitment.
Comparing NASCAR’s Genuine Racing to Formula One’s Technology-Driven Battles
In June 2025, during a podcast appearance on the That Guy Garf YouTube channel, Kyle Larson shared thoughtful perspectives on the differences between NASCAR and Formula One racing. He emphasized that although Formula One benefits from enormous investments and attracts celebrities, it relies heavily on advanced technology to facilitate overtaking.
Larson explained that NASCAR offers what he views as “pure racing,” featuring actual passing and close competition, unlike Formula One, where drivers depend on DRS (Drag Reduction System) to enable passing, which he believes undermines the authenticity of the racing experience.
“But if you’re looking for like pure racing, our product is amazing. I mean, there’s actually passing, there’s battles for the lead. It’s tough to pass in Formula 1 — they have to have DRS to even allow passing, so that kind of makes it fake in my opinion.” [26:55 onwards]
“NASCAR Cup racing is, and too, I think NASCAR gets a bad rap a lot of times for being, like, redneck or not technical at all. But the amount of data that we have in our cars and the stuff that goes on behind the scenes — with drivers’ fitness and the engineering and all that, like, yes, it’s not to Formula 1’s level on the engineering side, but NASCAR is way more technical than people give it credit for,” he added.
Larson’s remarks highlight the technical sophistication and physical demands of NASCAR, challenging common misconceptions about the sport’s complexity.
Kyle Larson’s Current NASCAR Performance and Standing
As of the 2025 season, Kyle Larson holds a strong third place in the NASCAR Cup Series points standings with 613 points. Over 19 starts this year, he has consistently performed well, securing 12 finishes in the top ten, nine in the top five, and earning one pole position. His steady presence reflects his determination and skill as a leading driver for Hendrick Motorsports.
Significance of Hendrick Motorsports’ Leap and What Lies Ahead
Hendrick Motorsports’ successful transition to Le Mans marks a major milestone, demonstrating the team’s adaptability and ambition beyond the NASCAR circuit. Their ability to design and race a competitive car in an entirely different motorsport environment signals potential for future cross-disciplinary ventures.
Kyle Larson’s insights reinforce the value of pure competitive racing, both in NASCAR and endurance formats, while shedding light on the evolving landscape of motorsports technology and fan expectations. As Larson continues to excel in NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports’ American Thunder story illustrates how persistence and innovation can rewrite the rules of racing success.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Kyle Larson better than Verstappen?
A. Larson may not be able to defeat Verstappen in Formula 1, but he’s actually more skilled in different racing areas. Bianchi claims Larson stands out because his achievements are diverse. He has victories in many types of cars, which shows his versatility.