During the Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas earlier this year, Kyle Larson's young son Owen stole the spotlight during a victory celebration that left a lasting impression. The special moment followed Larson's first win of the season, adding to a series of six NASCAR Cup Series wins for 2024.
Held on March 3rd at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the race showcased Larson's strong performance behind the wheel of the No. 5 Chevrolet. However, it was Owen who captivated the crowd and made the event unforgettable, energetically joining his dad on the track and joining the celebrations.
Pennzoil 400 is a huge event on the NASCAR calendar, taking place on the 1.5-mile tri-oval track of Las Vegas Motor Speedway. As a part of the NASCAR Cup Series and sponsored by the motor oil brand, this race has been an exciting fixture for fans.
At just 10 years old, Owen didn't hesitate to join his father, bounding onto the track and climbing onto the car's roof. His excitement was infectious, as he waved his arms to pump up the crowd and celebrated alongside his father, creating memories that both father and son will treasure. Owen even penned a heartfelt letter about the experience, detailing his feelings as he watched his dad's lead grow.
This letter was shared by NBC Sports, giving fans a glimpse into the excitement from Owen's perspective. In his account, Owen described how he sprinted to meet his dad and reveled in the victory.
Owen's involvement didn't stop there; he also took part in celebrating another of his father's wins. At the Bristol Motor Speedway, a race in the Round of 16, Owen once again joined Larson for a victory lap after another brilliant performance.
This celebratory moment at Bristol came after Larson had impressively finished 7.088 seconds ahead of his teammate, further cementing his position as a formidable driver in the series.
Throughout the season, Kyle Larson showed impressive performance, leading a total of 1,700 laps, which was notably more than his closest competitor, Christopher Bell. Despite the strong showing, Larson missed out on a second championship title, as his journey came to an end in the Round of 8. Nevertheless, it was a successful season overall.
Reflecting on the season, Kyle Larson is satisfied with his performance.
"It was a great year," Larson said, via NASCAR.com. "I was super happy with the performance of our race team all year long. We had a ton of speed from Race 1 to Race 38 [including two exhibition races], really. I was happy.
"Obviously, you want to make the final four and have a shot at the championship, but I also understand the format and know how crazy it can be, so I don't let finishing sixth in points take anything away from our season. We led the series in most every category, so I'm really proud of the team and their hard work.
"And I think we left some out on the table, so I'm excited about next year and hope we can continue to evolve and get stronger as a team and win some more races and lead more laps. ... I'm hoping for more good things for next year and I'm already excited to get the year started."
Kyle Larson remains optimistic about what's to come, aiming to continue building on the strengths of his team. As a driver for Hendrick Motorsports, Larson has carved out a successful career. His team, Hendrick Motorsports, stands as one of the most successful organizations in the sport, consistently fielding championship-winning drivers and cars. Owen Larson, on the other hand, has become a fan favorite in his own right, thanks to his genuine enthusiasm.