Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch have taken vastly different approaches to improving their driving skills outside of NASCAR. While Larson has fully embraced dirt racing as a way to sharpen his abilities, Busch remains skeptical about its benefits for Cup Series competition.
Kyle Busch’s Stance on Dirt Racing
Despite his recent ventures into dirt racing, including competing in the Tulsa Shootout with his son Brexton and making his debut in the Chili Bowl Nationals, Busch is unconvinced that it translates to success in the NASCAR Cup Series. He believes there is little to no direct benefit from dirt racing when it comes to performing in NASCAR’s top tier.
Busch’s skepticism is partly influenced by the drastic changes NASCAR underwent during the COVID-19 pandemic. With practice times reduced from two hours to just 20 minutes, drivers lost significant opportunities to adapt to new conditions. This challenge was further compounded when the Next-Gen car was introduced in 2022, making it even harder for drivers to gain familiarity with their vehicles.
Many of NASCAR’s dirt-racing advocates, including Larson, Tyler Reddick, and Alex Bowman, argue that competing in dirt events during the week gives them a competitive edge on weekends. Larson, for instance, won six Cup Series races last season—twice as many as his closest competitors. However, Busch does not attribute these victories to dirt racing experience.
In an interview with NASCAR Live, Busch dismissed the idea that dirt racing provides a meaningful advantage, stating, “I would say tendencies or race craft, race-car – like what can you take from a dirt car to a NASCAR car – nothing.” Instead, he emphasizes the importance of experience in NASCAR’s lower-tier series, such as the Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series, which he considers more valuable in preparing for Cup races.
That said, Busch did acknowledge some indirect benefits of dirt racing, such as improving hand-eye coordination, reaction time, and overall fitness. Still, he does not see it as a necessary training tool for NASCAR success.
Kyle Larson’s Commitment to Dirt Racing
Unlike Busch, Larson has fully embraced dirt racing as a fundamental part of his career. The 2021 Cup Series champion has consistently chosen to compete in dirt events rather than spending time on simulators, believing that the real-world experience helps keep his skills sharp.
Larson’s commitment to dirt racing extends beyond his own participation. He co-founded High Limit Racing (HLR) alongside his brother-in-law, dirt racing veteran Brad Sweet. HLR has gained prominence both in the United States and internationally, particularly in Australia. Larson continues to push for more drivers to take part in dirt racing and has even tried to recruit Busch to join him.
Kyle Busch’s Hesitation to Fully Commit to Dirt Racing
While Busch recently made his sprint car debut at the Chili Bowl Nationals, he remains hesitant about fully committing to dirt racing. He admitted that Larson has been encouraging him to race more in the dirt world, but he is approaching the idea cautiously.
“Larson’s trying to get me to do it. He wants me to run a race in it already,” Busch said. “I’m like, hold on a second, I haven’t even sat in one!”
He also expressed some apprehension about the non-winged sprint car format, noting that he feels more comfortable with winged cars. Busch jokingly remarked, “I guess the real drivers are the non-wing guys. I’m not a real driver… yet.” However, he did express a willingness to give it a try, stating, “I would at least like to give it a shot. At least go test, at least go run, get some laps in one, and just kind of feel it out.”
Looking Ahead
For now, Busch remains cautious about expanding his involvement in dirt racing. While he has shown some openness to trying new formats, his primary focus is on reclaiming his status as a top competitor in the NASCAR Cup Series. Meanwhile, Larson continues to use dirt racing as a core part of his training, believing it gives him a crucial edge on race weekends.
As the debate over dirt racing’s relevance to NASCAR continues, Busch and Larson represent two distinct perspectives—one emphasizing traditional preparation methods and the other championing alternative training approaches. Whether Busch will eventually embrace dirt racing as a key part of his routine remains to be seen.