Kyle Larson has openly criticized the impact of the movie Talladega Nights on NASCAR, arguing that it damaged the sport’s reputation rather than helped it. Speaking in June 2024 during an episode of Julian Edelman’s Games With Names podcast, Larson expressed concern about how the film shaped public perception of NASCAR.

Talladega Nights, released in 2006, featured a memorable finish at Talladega Superspeedway where Ricky Bobby and Jean Girard sprinted to the finish line after a crash, with Cal Naughton Jr. declared the unexpected winner. While the film was widely popular and grossed $163 million worldwide, Larson feels that its portrayal caused many outside NASCAR to view the sport as a joke.

Kyle Larson Reflects on the Film’s Consequences for NASCAR

Although Larson admits he enjoyed the comedy, he believes the movie ultimately did not serve NASCAR well. On the podcast, he stated,

I liked the movie. Think it did not do anything good for our sport. I think it turned our sport into a joke, unfortunately,

—Kyle Larson. He elaborated on the lasting effect of the film’s humor on public opinion, adding,

That’s gotta be one of the most popular racing movies. … But the rest of the world, I feel like that’s what they think of our sport now.

—Kyle Larson.

At the time of Talladega Nights release, NASCAR was enjoying peak popularity; the 2006 Daytona 500 remains the most-watched NASCAR race ever, attracting 19.4 million viewers. Despite this, Larson worries that the movie’s comedic take overshadowed the sport’s competitive seriousness.

References to the film continue to pop up in popular culture, with Reese Bobby’s famous line,

if you ain’t first, you’re last

—a phrase still commonly printed on merchandise and recognized by fans nationwide.

Interest Builds Around a New NASCAR Film Following F1 Success

In addition to discussing Talladega Nights, Larson also touched on the prospect of a sequel to another iconic racing film, Days of Thunder. The upcoming project was confirmed by Jerry Bruckheimer, producer of the original 1990 movie, which starred Tom Cruise as young NASCAR driver Cole Trickle.

Days of Thunder was financially successful and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Sound, and with the recent success of F1: The Movie, there appears to be renewed appetite for racing films. Larson expressed enthusiasm about the sequel and his hope to be involved, sharing,

I was with Jeff Gordon the other night and he’s good friends with Tom [Cruise] and he went to the premiere of Mission Impossible,

—Kyle Larson,

He’s like, ‘We’re doing it. We’ve got to do another Days of Thunder.’ I hope they do it. … I would absolutely be in it. I would like to be in it.

—Kyle Larson.

The Lasting Image of NASCAR in Popular Culture

While movies like Talladega Nights brought NASCAR to a broader audience through humor, Larson’s critique highlights the tension between entertainment and the sport’s authentic competitive image. His comments suggest that despite widespread familiarity with NASCAR because of the film, many outside the sport may hold a simplified or mocking view shaped by the movie’s comedic narrative.

As NASCAR continues evolving and newer racing films emerge, the sport faces ongoing challenges in balancing mass media exposure with preserving its respect and seriousness among fans and the general public. Larson’s perspective on the Talladega Nights impact signals a desire within the racing community to protect NASCAR’s credibility as popular culture continues to depict the sport in various lights.