AJ Allmendinger confesses “jealousy and sadness” towards Kyle Larson

Chevy driver AJ Allmendinger has made a bold admission that shows how dominant of a driver is Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson.

AJ Allmendinger confesses “jealousy and sadness” towards Kyle Larson

AJ Allmendinger and Kyle Larson (Images via @PBATour/X and @TeamHendrick/X)

Hendrick Motorsports’ 2025 Cup champion Kyle Larson is one of the most talented racers of his generation and someone who is capable of winning any racing events if he is given a competitive car. He proves his worth yet again, this Sunday at Homestead Miami as he won the Straight Talk Wireless 400 over teammate Alex Bowman with a solid run.

Kyle Larson’s unmatched dominance, often put his rival in a tough spot as they are sad and happy at the same time seeing the veteran perform. Kaulig Racing’s AJ Allmendinger is one of them as he recently shared his feelings about how tough it is tame the Next-Gen cars and how elite racers like Larson is doing it effortlessly. AJ was one of the best drivers, with solid performance whole race at Miami.

YouTube video

You can slide the car a little bit, or you can move around. I think with this car, you don’t have to be pinned against the wall. And I always say I need to be better at that. I’m always constantly trying to work. Am I ever gonna be Kyle Larson? God, no — or even close to that.

AJ Allmendinger said via Motorsports.com.

Further talking on the point, Allmendinger shared his hopes of performing better at Homestead in the second race in October and then started speaking about Kyle Larson. He pointed out that he often feels jelousy and sadness seeing Kyle Larson racing.

So, I think this track, at least in October, whenever we raced it with this car, it’s like I can move around and make speed… I can watch the 5 just ripping up there, and it’s sometimes jealousy and sadness and then in awe of watching him do it.

AJ Allmendinger added.

Kyle Larson made HMS history with Miami win

Young Money win on Sunday at Miami was special and it was his 24th career win after signing for Rick Hendrick back in 2021. In his fifth year with the team, he has already won more races than all but two racers in HMS history.

Kyle Larson
Kyle Larson (Via IMAGO)

The 2021 Cup champion is the third most winningest racer for the Chevy giants. Ahead of his are hall of Famer Jeff Gordon, who has won with 93 wins and four championships. At second is seven times champion Jimmie Johnson with 83 wins.

Just behind him is his teammate Chase Elliott, who has won 19 races in his Hendrick Motorsports career. Only two more drivers have double digits wins for HMS. they are William Byron with 14 wins and Terry Labonte with 13 wins.

Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon’s record will remain unbroken

Three of these drivers being active gives them more opportunities to fight for the P3, for years to come. But it will be almost impossible for them to get into the top-2. In the case of Kyle Larson, he has to win 60 more races to match Jimmie Johnson.

Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon
Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon (Via IMAGO)

He is averaging five wins a season for HMS at the moment and if he continues to race like it, it will take him 12 years to match Johson, while 14 to match Gordon. Even he has ten race win year like in 2021, it will still take him 6-7 years.

Both of these seems to be unrealistic, considering how close the competition nowadays is, and Kyle Larson has previously showed interest in retiring early to pursue other racing championships. For Chase Elliott and William Byron, the odds are much tougher. Being the youngster, Byron might be able to match the stats if he has a long and successful career.