For someone like Kyle Larson, a three-peat is greater than a feather in his cap; it is a testament to his greatness. The 2021 Cup Series Champion is more than just a stock car talent. From dirt racing to sprint cars, he is as versatile as it gets. After securing his third Chili Bowl Nationals in 2025, Larson was looking to stamp his authority at the Knoxville Nationals by becoming the first driver since Donny Schatz in 2015 to win three in a row!
However, under the dirt-slick lights of Knoxville Raceway, the “Yung Money” magic was finally thwarted. Not by ill fate, but by the very force of another icon of the dirt-tracking community, Rico Abreu. This sprint car talent not only denied Larson the hat-trick but added insult to injury with a razzle-dazzle performance that sent shockwaves through the dirt racing community.
Rico Abreu dethrones Kyle Larson
Rico Abreu is a fan favorite for his electric personality and his underdog story. He is one of the toughest names in sprint car racing. Abreu is a two-time winner of the Chili Bowl Nationals, and his basis in this sport has become about driving fearlessly with relentless consistency. On this night at Knoxville, he was on another level. From the moment the race started, he was clearly not going to let Larson dance away with another crown.
Rico Abreu set the tone early, capitalizing on clean air and holding off Larson to an inch-perfect precision. While Larson had the high side working and closed the gap with every lap, Abreu never wavered. He drove a defensive masterpiece. He took the lead from Aaron Reutzel on Lap 9 and battled Larson’s Hail Mary in the final corner to win the race in dramatic fashion. Always Race Day noted on X (formerly Twitter), “He (Abreu) beats defending Knoxville Nationals winner Kyle Larson in tonight’s Premier Chevy Dealers Clash at Knoxville!” It wasn’t just a win for Abreu, but also a statement that the dirt dominator was not invincible.
Rico Abreu gets it done!
He beats defending Knoxville Nationals winner Kyle Larson in tonight’s Premier Chevy Dealers Clash at Knoxville! Logan Schuchart rounds out the podium. #WoOSprint pic.twitter.com/x3IXBhMPro
— Always Race Day (@AlwaysRaceDay) April 20, 2025
The win at Knoxville is number 18 for Abreu, tying him with Brad Doty for the 33rd most all-time. He’s also captured eight 410 Sprint Car races on the storied 0.5-mile dirt oval, extending his streak of winning there to six consecutive years. He now has victories at 11 different venues where he won the World of Outlaws. However, this was his first-ever Knoxville Nationals triumph, and one that he will savor for a long time. “Knoxville Raceway is definitely becoming one of my favorite tracks in the world,” said Abreu after the race.
Kyle Larson lamented his mistakes during the race that required him to make a Hail Mary move to win, saying, “I wish I wouldn’t have had to try a Hail Mary. I wish I would’ve just not made so many mistakes. Once I got to second, I could piece a couple of good laps together, and then I’d push a little too hard and mess up… I screwed up a few times and kind of lost touch of him but was able to piece together a really good (Turns) 1 and 2 there on the last lap. We just had that lapper in front of us and was kind of stuck. I got there, but I was just too stuck to have enough clean air on exit.”
Still, he had pushed his car beyond its limits but couldn’t match Abreu’s rhythm and tenacity on a track that rewards steel nerves. For fans, it was a showdown worthy of highlight reels for decades to come.
What’s next for the elite of dirt?
The dirt wars are far from finished, with both these drivers keeping busy work schedules, they should spark fireworks in the future. Outside of dirt racing, Larson is gunning for his much-awaited double: the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in May, a real feat attempted only by the most versatile of racers. And that does not end there. With several sprint car races on his calendar from Larson’s co-owned High Limit Sprint Car Series, the versatile driver will have many opportunities to get back on top.
The Knoxville win for Abreu was abetted by an earlier buildup toward a run of elite form this season. He has another couple of World of Outlaws races where he could clash with Larson on the High Limit tour; fans are still looking out for the rematch calendar. Abreu may have taken the battle at Knoxville, but this war is just starting.
One thing we know: nothing is certain on dirt tracks. And until the day both Rico Abreu and Kyle Larson climb into their machines, it shall always be filled with suspense and action. What did you think of Rico Abreu’s triumph? Let us know in the comments!
The post Kyle Larson’s Three-Peat Hopes Squandered by Sprint Car Phenom as He Comes Up Short at Knoxville appeared first on EssentiallySports.