NASCAR: Kyle Larson speaks about potential return
By Asher Fair
Kyle Larson spoke publicly about his NASCAR firing and about a potential return to the Cup Series in an interview with James Brown on CBS This Morning.
The coronavirus pandemic coupled with an indefinite suspension from NASCAR and a firing from his Cup Series team have resulted in nearly seven and a half months without Kyle Larson behind the wheel of a stock car thus far. This Sunday will mark 32 weeks.
Larson, who last competed behind the wheel of the #42 Chevrolet for Chip Ganassi Racing on Sunday, March 8 at Phoenix Raceway, was fired by the team and suspended indefinitely by NASCAR after using a racial slur on Sunday, April 12 during a virtual race on iRacing which was being live streamed on multiple Twitch channels.
This virtual race came amid what ended up being a 10-week hiatus during the 2020 season as a result of the pandemic, as there was no live action from that race at Phoenix Raceway until Sunday, May 17 when the sport returned at Darlington Raceway.
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2003 champion Matt Kenseth was behind the wheel of the #42 Chevrolet for that race, and he has served as Larson’s replacement ever since. Ross Chastain has been confirmed as the driver of that car for next year.
Larson, who recently wrote an essay titled “Kyle Larsons: My Lessons Learned” about what the last few months have entailed for him after his firing, and published it on his website, spoke with James Brown on CBS This Morning about his mistake, what led to him making that mistake, what he has done to change and how he has changed since making that mistake, and how he would love to have a second chance in NASCAR.
For the first time, we're hearing from @NASCAR driver Kyle Larson after he was fired in April for using a racial slur during a virtual racing event.
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) October 16, 2020
In his first TV interview, he spoke to @JBsportscaster about race in America and why he's hoping for a second chance. pic.twitter.com/zOXoVTU8J8
This interview comes amid mounting rumors that Larson will be back in the sport next year driving for Hendrick Motorsports. Chevrolet suspended him indefinitely back in April as well, but there is a growing belief that they will allow him back.
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Despite having completed the required sensitivity training months ago, he reportedly only applied for reinstatement earlier this week. He would have no need to apply for next year if he wasn’t ready to sign a contract with the new team, given the fact that it’s obvious he won’t be back in 2020. NASCAR has not yet approved his reinstatement request.