Kyle Larson Fans Furious After Star Hints IndyCar Pays What He Deserves
Charlotte, NC — NASCAR fans are reeling after Kyle Larson appeared to take a not-so-subtle jab at his own sport, hinting that IndyCar — and specifically the Indianapolis 500 — offers the kind of paycheck he feels he’s earned.
Larson, long considered one of NASCAR’s most naturally gifted drivers, is currently preparing for the ultimate double: racing both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. But it’s not the physical toll that has fans talking — it’s a comment made during a media appearance this week that sparked outrage across the NASCAR community.
“I’ve done a lot in NASCAR, and I’ll keep doing more,” Larson said. “But let’s be honest — a guy like me should be getting paid like an Indy 500 winner. Out there, you race one day and get treated like a legend. That kind of money? That kind of respect? It’s what I deserve.”
The quote hit like a loose lug nut on pit road.
Within minutes, social media exploded with angry reactions from longtime Larson supporters, many of whom felt blindsided by what they saw as a betrayal of the sport that rebuilt his career.
“We stood by him when he was out of the Cup Series,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Now he’s out here acting like NASCAR’s second-tier? Nah, that’s not the Larson we cheered for.”
Others weren’t so diplomatic.
“Go race Indy full-time if that’s what you want,” another fan replied. “We’ll be here supporting drivers who actually love NASCAR — not ones chasing a bigger check.”
Behind the scenes, NASCAR insiders are reportedly unamused. A team executive, speaking under anonymity, said: “Kyle’s one of the best we’ve got. But talking like NASCAR doesn’t pay enough? That doesn’t sit well with a lot of people in the garage.”
While Larson hasn’t officially clarified or walked back his comment, the timing couldn’t be worse. With NASCAR working hard to retain its identity amid growing crossover attention from Formula 1 and IndyCar, the suggestion that one of its biggest names is more impressed by another series’ pay structure is an unwanted narrative.
Yet some in the paddock aren’t surprised. Larson’s dirt racing roots, his willingness to race anywhere, anytime, and his growing ambition have long signaled that his vision for greatness goes beyond just the NASCAR Cup Series.
“If he wins the Indy 500, who knows what happens next?” said a motorsport analyst. “Kyle could become the face of American racing — across all disciplines. That kind of platform deserves top-dollar, and maybe that’s all he was trying to say.”
Still, the damage may already be done — at least with the diehard fans. The hashtag #LarsonSellout began trending by nightfall.
As for Larson? He’s already moved on to the next test session, focused on taming the Brickyard and proving, in his words, “what a real racer can do — anywhere, anytime, any series.”
But in the eyes of some fans, the real race may be between loyalty and legacy — and right now, money seems to be pulling ahead.
