Kyle Larson just reminded everyone why he’s one of the most talented drivers on the current NASCAR grid. At the legendary Bristol Motor Speedway yesterday, Larson completely dominated the Food City 500. Driving the No. 5 Chevy Camaro ZL1 for Hendrick Motorsports, Larson led 411 of the 500 laps to grab his 31st Cup Series career victory.
But this win wasn’t just another trophy for the shelf. It was special because, with that dominant drive, Larson tied a record held tight by a NASCAR legend, Martin Truex Jr.
Kyle Larson Ties Big NASCAR Record
Truex, a former Cup Series champion and one of NASCAR’s most respected veterans, set the benchmark with 66 stage wins over a stellar 22-year career. He’s a Cup Series champ, a fierce competitor, and one of the most talented names in the sport. The man has done it all — 34 wins, 25 poles, nearly 700 starts, and a 2017 title that solidified his place in the sport’s history. He’s also known for his strong runs in the Xfinity Series.
At the Food City 500 on April 13, Larson didn’t just win the race — he led every single lap of Stage 2, nailed down both Stage 1 and Stage 2 wins, and tied Truex’s record of 66 stage wins. What makes this even more formidable is that Larson did it in just 11 full seasons and 264 starts, compared to Truex’s 20 full seasons and 694 races. That is a show of pure dominance.
What’s Next? Records Are Meant To Be Broken
Larson isn’t done. Far from it. With the kind of season he’s having, breaking that record seems like just a matter of time — perhaps even next weekend at Talladega. After nine starts this season, he’s already got two wins, five top-five finishes, and four stage wins. He’s sitting in fourth in the standings right now, just one point behind Christopher Bell. The momentum is real, and so is the hunger.
Meanwhile, Truex stepped away from full-time racing last year but still races part-time — like at this year’s Daytona 500, where he had a rough day and got caught up in a crash early on lap 77. He’s still one of the all-time greats though, no question. He even made it into NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers list, and his MTJ Foundation has continued to do amazing work for kids with cancer, since 2007.
But this moment belongs to Larson. He’s making history in his own style — fast, fearless, and just plain fun to watch. That next stage win? It’s coming very soon. And when it does, there’ll be a new king of stage wins in NASCAR.
And his name will be Kyle Larson.