Kenny Wallace Blasts Critics of Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell’s Dirt Race Ventures

Veteran racer Kenny Wallace isn’t fond of critics targeting Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell over dirt racing commitments.

Kenny Wallace Blasts Critics of Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell’s Dirt Race Ventures

Kyle Larson, Kenny Wallace and Christopher Bell (Via IMAGO)

The NASCAR Cup garage has two of the most gifted and accomplished dirt racers in the country in the garage, in Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell. But some fans seem to take this for granted, as they often criticize the duo for making appearances in the grassroots racing events.

NASCAR legend Kenny Wallace, who is also an active dirt racer, isn’t happy with this group of people and in a video shared on his X page, he called them out. He pointed out that Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell grew up as dirt racers and highlighted how the duo was part of the dirt racing history much before they drove in asphalt tracks.

They were dirt way before they were asphalt. So, Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell, they are dirt racers. It’s all racing. It’s open-wheel racing. Whether it’s midgets, sprint cars, stock cars, whatever. You put a little water underneath like a boat, and everything gets better.

Kenny Wallace said via a video shared on X.

The veteran highlighted how every form of racing in exciting and deserves its props, as he hates it being categorized in different ways. He sees the Larson-Bell duo as a gauge to drivers regardless of the series and highlighted how the presence of such stars influences the regional racing series as a whole.

Just all racing’s awesome. Don’t categorize it. As far as I’m concerned, Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell are a gauge for all the other drivers… I outran Kyle Larson. That makes that driver feel good.

Kenny Wallace added.

Kenny Wallace left impressed by 14-year-old dirt racing prodigy

One name that shocked everyone in the 2026 Chilly Bowl nationals was the 14-year-old Jet Barnes. He overcame the challenge from the stacked field and became the youngest driver ever to make it into the A-Main event. Kenny Wallace was beyond excited to see the prodigy proving himself on the track and becoming a household name overnight.

Kenny Wallace
Kenny Wallace (Via IMAGO)

I just didn’t know who Jet Barnes was. … They take the car back to the pits and I mean this with respect. This child gets up out of the open wheel and I’m [like] ‘It’s a child. It’s not a kid and it’s not a boy. It’s a child.’ … I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Kenny Wallace said.

The shock didn’t wear off for him, even on Saturday morning as the field featured some of the most talented and experience racer, who were much older as well as stronger compared to the veteran. The words of the veteran sums it up, Barnes drove like a 40-year-old in the race.

I’m still shocked right now on, this Saturday morning. … He drove like he was 40. He ended up wrecking out in turns one in the A main.

Kenny Wallace added.

Unfortunately, in the A-main event, he was able to secure just a P21 finish after crashing out early. But he still has plenty of time to fix the mistake, learn more about racing and make an impressive come back in the upcoming 2026 season.

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