Kyle Larson discussed the “best-kept secret” in NASCAR, one to which he has gained access as the 2021 Cup Series champion.
For the last 11 seasons, the NASCAR Cup Series champion has received a small brown leather book which is known as the Champion’s Journal.
The tradition was started in 2011 by 2010 champion Jimmie Johnson. Johnson, who had won his fifth title in a row the previous year, wrote a note in the book after the 2011 season and handed it off to Tony Stewart, whose 2011 championship was his third.
That tradition has continued every season since, with seven other drivers (eight including Johnson) having had the opportunity to receive the journal and read what those past champions have written.
Take a look at the list of Cup Series champions from 2012 to 2021.
NOTE: Championship number included in parenthesis.
- 2012: Brad Keselowski (1)
- 2013: Jimmie Johnson (6)
- 2014: Kevin Harvick (1)
- 2015: Kyle Busch (1)
- 2016: Jimmie Johnson (7)
- 2017: Martin Truex Jr. (1)
- 2018: Joey Logano (1)
- 2019: Kyle Busch (2)
- 2020: Chase Elliott (1)
- 2021: Kyle Larson (1)
Elliott had been in possession of the Champion’s Journal prior to the team’s December holiday celebration, when it was to be delivered to 2021 champion and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson.
Here is what Larson had to say about receiving the journal, the contents of which he dubbed “the best-kept secret” in NASCAR.
"“I feel like it’s the best-kept secret in our sport. I’m really looking forward to receiving that and getting to read what other drivers have written in it. I’m just excited to see the things people say. I was talking to Brad Keselowski about it and he said he didn’t even remember what he wrote in it. It’ll just be neat to see the stories and see what they had to say.”"
Of course, the fact that the Champion’s Journal exists is by no means a secret. NASCAR’s vice chairman Mike Helton made the suggestion, and it was made public that Johnson began the tradition at the time.
But the contents of it remain unknown to anybody who has not won a NASCAR Cup Series championship, and that has been the case for a decade now.
And the plan is for that to remain the case for decades to come.
Before he handed the journal off to Larson last month, Elliott spoke about the journal and its meaning.
"“I haven’t decided exactly how I want to angle it, but even if I had, I probably wouldn’t share. That’s kind of the whole point of the book is for no one else to know it. Whatever I decide, I’ll make a personal decision and try to make it special.”"
Only he and future Cup Series champions will get to know what he decided to write.
Who will become the 10th driver to gain access to the Champion’s Journal? Will the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season produce a new champion? The season is scheduled to get underway on Sunday, February 20 with the 64th annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. The Great American Race is set to be broadcast live on Fox beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET.