Kyle Larson has opened up about his future in NASCAR, revealing the factors that could ultimately determine when he steps away from full-time Cup Series competition.
The Californian, who won his second NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2025, is still searching for his first victory of the 2026 season. Larson has not visited Victory Lane since May last year but remains firmly in championship contention, sitting eighth in the standings as the NASCAR Chase approaches in September.
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Larson has long expressed an interest in eventually stepping away from the Cup Series to focus on sprint car racing. Back in 2017, he told the Open Red podcast that he hoped to move into sprint cars full-time before turning 40. His passion for racing beyond NASCAR has been evident throughout his career, most notably through his attempts to complete the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day in both 2024 and 2025.
However, speaking recently to Motorsport.com, Larson revealed that his plans have evolved. Rather than setting a firm retirement date, he now intends to continue racing in NASCAR until at least the age of 40 before deciding what comes next.
“I started saying this last year, but 40 is my next milestone,” Larson said. “I want to get there and then evaluate if I want to keep going or be done.”
The timing is notable, as Larson signed a five-year contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports in February that runs until 2031, one year before the milestone age he has set for reassessing his future.
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Larson’s long-term plans have attracted renewed attention following teammate Alex Bowman’s recent announcement that he intends to retire from full-time Cup Series competition at the end of the 2027 season. Bowman, who is a year younger than Larson, cited the physical demands of NASCAR and revealed he had originally planned to step away by the age of 35.
“It all depends where my kids are”
Larson admitted that the biggest influence on his eventual decision will not be racing itself, but his family.
The 34-year-old and his wife, Katelyn Sweet, have three children, Owen, 12, Audrey, 8, and Cooper, 3, and all are growing up around the racetrack.
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“It all depends on where my kids are in their lives and interests,” Larson explained.
He later added: “I just don’t know what a [Sprint Car] championship would add to my career so I’m just not into the idea now. And like I said, I think my kids are going to be busy doing their own racing by that time, so do I really want to commit to an 80-to-90 race schedule?
“That’s way busier than I am now.”
Larson’s comments suggest that while sprint car racing remains close to his heart, family life could ultimately outweigh any desire to pursue another full-time championship once his NASCAR career comes to an end.
Both of Larson’s eldest children have already enjoyed success behind the wheel. Most recently, daughter Audrey claimed victory in the Non-Wing Junior Sprint A-Main at Port City Raceway in July.
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