NASCAR Podcast: Should We Compare Kyle Larson To Jimmie Johnson?
By T. Walker
Will Kyle Larson become more like A.J. Foyt and Tony Stewart or Jimmie Johnson as his NASCAR career unfolds?
Of course, Kyle Larson made Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s list of Top 10 drivers to root for after he leaves. As Dale Jr. stated, “he is dominating the series …he’s the modern-day A.J. Foyt, Tony Stewart…” And it appears that Tony Stewart agreed when he went on record via Twitter in the midst of complaining about NASCAR’s “debris” cautions, saying, “I would love to have him,” when asked why Larson wasn’t racing for Stewart-Haas Racing. Larson, the self-proclaimed “last true racer,” has even compared himself to Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt and Tony Stewart. But should we compare him to Jimmie Johnson? Of course we should not, but the thought is tempting. It’s downright intriguing.
I would love to have him. You need to ask him that question
— Tony Stewart (@TonyStewart) June 19, 2017
He Is A Winner
Larson trails Johnson by total wins this season, but many would argue it’s just a matter of time before he catches up to the seven-time champ who has seen Victory Lane three times. Larson is currently the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series points leader. With two wins, he is currently the runner-up in Cup Series stage points, a few points shy of the king of stage racing, Martin Truex Jr.
In an eight-day span, Larson has won the Arctic Cat All-Star Circuit of Champions race at Ohio’s Sharon Speedway, the Arctic Cat All-Star Circuit of Champions race at Wayne Count Speedway, the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series race at Eagle Raceway in Nebraska and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway. Similar to some of the legends listed above, Larson has no problem driving anytime and anywhere. And like Jimmie Johnson, he clearly has learned how to win and there is no stopping him now.
Why We Shouldn’t Compare Larson To Johnson
Early in his young career, Larson was perceived as somewhat soft or what I would call a finesse driver like Jimmie Johnson. As we have quickly learned, Larson is shaping up to be the total opposite. He is not quite rowdy like Kyle Busch and he has yet to morph into a brawler like Stewart, but like Dale Jr. said, “Kyle Larson has no problem putting the chrome horn to you.” The fact that Larson is yet to win at least one championship title is one significant reason why we should not compare Larson to Johnson.
True, Larson is a racer, a winner and a talented driver like Johnson, but will he have Jimmie Johnson-like success or a career like Tony Stewart? Only time will tell. So far, he has been calm even after six 2nd place finishes and he has not shown any signs of that Zen-like temperament that Johnson displays. What I see and most NASCAR fans can attest to is the fact that Larson does exhibit some of that hard-nosed, A.J. Foyt and Tony Stewart-like all around wheelman racing style. Do you agree?
I love talking about NASCAR and can go on and on about “Young Money” Larson. If you want to know where the Larson versus Johnson comparison came from or hear my thoughts on Dale Jr. heading to the booth, NASCAR’s “phantom” debris cautions, plus more on NASCAR’s young drivers, make sure to check out All Turns No Brakes, a weekly podcast for fans by fans.
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