As the Pennzoil 400 approaches, all eyes are on defending champion Kyle Larson, the prominent figure of Hendrick Motorsports’ #5. He’s one of the two remaining drivers, along with Alex Bowman, to uphold the team’s ‘Thrive in 25’ motto. This comes after successful performances from teammates Chase Elliott and William Byron, with Elliott earning a victory at ‘The Clash’ at Bowman Gray Stadium and Byron securing the Daytona 500 trophy.
But the buzz around Larson isn’t limited to the asphalt. A known dirt track enthusiast, Larson co-owns High Limit Racing, a series he started with Sprint Car veteran and brother-in-law Brad Sweet. Sweet closed out the 2024 High Limit Racing season with 10 wins while Larson himself managed to secure 4 victories. Now, as the new season is about to kick off, Larson hopes his fans will join him for the ride.
Larson’s fondness for Las Vegas extends beyond the track. As a passionate ice hockey fan, he counts the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights among his favorite teams. His spirits were running high at a recent match between the Golden Knights and the Toronto Maple Leafs, where the home team secured a convincing 5-2 win. With his series’ season opener also taking place in Las Vegas, it seems like Larson’s love for the city is only growing.
He is encouraging NASCAR fans visiting for the Pennzoil 400 to extend their stay and join him at the High Limit Racing season opener. He invites fans to come to the pits, meet their favorite drivers, and immerse themselves in the thrilling atmosphere of dirt track racing.
Larson’s track record at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is impressive, with an average finish of 9.4 across 17 races, making it his best performing track. His 2024 spring win was a masterclass in domination as he led 181 laps, won both stages one and two, and ultimately took home the checkered flag.
However, Larson isn’t the only driver generating buzz ahead of the upcoming race. Christopher Bell, fresh off his third consecutive win at the Phoenix race, is eyeing a historic fourth. It’s an achievement that hasn’t been accomplished since Jimmie Johnson in 2007. If successful, Bell would join an elite group of drivers, including NASCAR legends Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Jeff Gordon. Interestingly, five out of these eight drivers went on to claim the championship that season.
Despite his recent success, Bell’s track record in Vegas isn’t as stellar. With an average finish of 17.4 across 10 races, he hasn’t managed to secure a victory at this track yet. A win here would undoubtedly be a remarkable achievement.
As we await the Pennzoil 400, who will emerge victorious in Las Vegas? Will Larson uphold his ‘Thrive in 25’ commitment, or will Bell create history? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for an exciting weekend of racing.
