Kyle Larson Exposes Europeans’ Lack of Respect for American Racers

Reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson has shared his thoughts on how American racers doesn’t get enough respect internationally.

Kyle Larson Exposes Europeans’ Lack of Respect for American Racers

Kyle Larson (Via IMAGO)

Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson is considered by many as the best driver in the current NASCAR garage and recently the defending Cup champion has even made international headlines by comparing himself to four times F1 champion Max Verstappen. His statement received massive criticism, especially from the European racing fans.

While there were many rational criticisms of the NASCAR champion, there were also comments that exposed the European prejudice to American Motorsports scene. The No:5 HMS driver shared his thoughts on the situation in the recent episode of Speed with Kevin Harvick and Will Buxton. He declared that there is a clear lack of respect for American sport, alongside racing, across the pacific.

Americans in general don’t get the respect they deserve from Europeans in any form of sport, I feel like—but yeah, racing especially too.

Kyle Larson said via Speed with Kevin Harvick and Will Buxton podcast.

The major reason behind this attitude is how big Formula One is compared to American racing series. The European racing fanbase is too invested in the series that, that don’t have time to explore the revelations that has happened over the years with in motorsports.

I mean, Formula One is huge, right? It’s by far the biggest, most-watched motorsport there is, so it’s understandable that their fans are so focused on that, that they’re not paying attention to what we’re doing over here in America—and rightfully so, that’s fine.

Kyle Larson added.

The veteran driver also highlighted how the NASCAR drivers regardless of how talented they are, isn’t reorganized on the same level as an F1 driver internationally. Many falsely believes the worst F1 drivers is better than the best US driver.

But yeah, I think that makes it to where they don’t believe there can ever be another driver as good as even the worst Formula One driver.

Kyle Larson asserted.

Kyle Larson is hopeful about a solution despite the prejudice

In the same conversation later, Kyle Larson talked shared his hopes about the US racers getting the recognition they deserve internationally. He highlighted that USA is capable of producing a dominant world class drivers considering the diverse racing culture it has.  

Kyle Larson
Kyle Larson (Via @KyleLarsonRacin/X)

So, hopefully we’ll get to the point where NASCAR and American auto racing get the respect they deserve, because there’s so much diverse racing in America. In my mind, that should develop a driver who’s just as good—or potentially even better—than anywhere else in the world.

Kyle Larson said.

The comments from the veteran racer are on point and shows, until one racer from America goes the non-traditional path and become a champion driver in F1, the US motorsports scene won’t get enough respect. It would be interesting to see how long it will take for that to occur.

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