Kyle Larson’s Controversial Statement Once Again Lands Him in Hot Waters with Fans

6 min read

Kyle Larson’s got a knack for stirring the pot, and it’s not always with his wheel. The 2021 NASCAR Cup champ is one of the most talented drivers on the planet, but his mouth seems to have a habit of outpacing his No. 5 Chevy. Whether it’s a slip-up or a hot take, Larson’s words have a way of sparking firestorms that keep fans buzzing, and not always in a good way. From the racetrack to the podcast mic, his unfiltered style has landed him in trouble more than once. Now he’s at it again, taking aim at a NASCAR tradition that’s got the fandom up in arms.

Back in April 2020, Larson’s career hit a wall when he dropped a racial slur during a livestreamed iRacing event. The fallout was swift and brutal. NASCAR suspended him indefinitely, Chip Ganassi Racing cut ties, and sponsors like McDonald’s and Chevrolet bolted the same day. Larson spent months rebuilding his image and eventually returned with Hendrick Motorsports, but the incident left a scar. Fans still bring it up when his name trends, a reminder of how one word can haunt a career.

But it’s not just that moment. In 2019, Larson raised eyebrows during a broadcast when he quipped, “Why, is that an Asian joke? I’m Asian, so I can say it,” after a playful jab. Some laughed it off as edgy humor, but others called it tone-deaf, especially in a sport already grappling with diversity. Larson’s never shied away from speaking his mind, whether it’s about racing or pop culture, but his candor often walks a tightrope between bold and reckless.

 

Kyle Larson slanders the Martinsville Hot Dog on Julian Edelman’s podcast.

“I think they’re disgusting. I don’t know if they like, color dye them or what, but they’re like, red.” https://t.co/rFoO4VUxeu pic.twitter.com/GycCg9nv4y

— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) August 7, 2025

Take his recent appearance on Julian Edelman’s Games With Names podcast. Larson didn’t hold back when asked about Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. “I like the movie,” he admitted, but then dropped a bomb, “I think it did not do anything good for our sport. I think it turned our sport into a joke, unfortunately.” He called it one of the most popular racing films but lamented that “that’s what people think of our sport now.” The comment ruffled feathers, with fans defending the Will Ferrell classic as a love letter to NASCAR’s larger-than-life vibe, not a mockery.

Now Kyle Larson’s gone and done it again, this time taking a swing at a sacred NASCAR institution: the Martinsville hot dog. On the same podcast, he called the iconic red frank “disgusting,” questioning if it’s pumped with “color dye.” The backlash was instant, with fans rallying to defend the neon-pink delicacy that’s been a Speedway staple since the 1940s. Larson’s latest hot take has him in the crosshairs once more, proving his knack for picking fights with the very culture he races in.

Kyle Larson vs. the red dog: A NASCAR culture clash

The Martinsville hot dog isn’t just food. It’s a NASCAR legend, and Larson’s diss hit fans where it hurts. One fan vented, “Waited 1/4 of the race 100+ laps… Just to get to the counter and be told they are out of bread.” That frustration’s real. Martinsville churns out 60,000 of these Jesse Jones red dogs per race weekend, topped with chili, slaw, mustard, and onions. Demand’s so wild that shortages happen early, especially in Stage 1 or 2. The hot dog’s neon hue, a tradition since the 1940s, is hyped by FOX, NBC, and even Dale Jr., who once ate seven in a weekend. When fans brave long lines only to strike out, it’s a gut punch, and Larson’s jab feels like piling on their pain.

Another fan took a sharp swing, “Maybe he should go race in F1. They probably have caviar and sushi at their concession standards.” It’s a cheeky dig, but it stings. F1’s known for luxe menus, like $5,000 hospitality at Miami with sushi and champagne, while NASCAR leans into its blue-collar roots, from Talladega’s bologna burgers to Martinsville’s red dogs. Larson, who’s vocal about loving F1 and prepping for the 2026 Indy 500, gets painted as out of touch with NASCAR’s charm. His comment feels like a betrayal of the sport’s working-class heart, and fans aren’t letting it slide.

One hit hard, “Someday Kyle will find something about NASCAR he actually likes.” This cuts deep into Larson’s rep as a dirt-racing purist. He’s open about his passion for World of Outlaws and his High Limit Racing Series, often racing dirt tracks on NASCAR off-weeks. Despite his 2021 title and 20-plus Cup wins, some fans see him as checked out from stock car culture, gushing more about Eldora than Bristol. His hot dog diss fuels that narrative, making it seem like he’s just punching a clock in NASCAR while his heart’s on the dirt.

A fan tried to keep the peace, “Love Larson but the reddish hot dogs are the fucking best… wtf he talking about.” The red dog’s FD&C Red #40 dye is a badge of honor, loved by drivers like Dale Jr. and Jeff Burton. It’s pure nostalgia, like sweet tea or Bojangles. Larson’s West Coast roots might explain his recoil. Red franks aren’t a Cali thing. But for fans, it’s like dissing grandma’s cooking. The hot dog’s quirky charm is NASCAR’s soul, and Larson’s take feels like a swing at their traditions.

Finally, one fan went nuclear, “This is far more offensive than the Talladega Nights stuff. #CancelLarson.” It’s half-joking, but it ties back to Larson’s earlier shade on Talladega Nights, when he told Pardon My Take he “never found it funny” and thought it mocked NASCAR. Fans cherish the movie for bringing new eyes to the sport, quoting “Shake ‘n’ Bake” like gospel. Larson’s hot dog slam, on top of that, feels like a pattern of dunking on NASCAR’s icons. The “#CancelLarson” jab is over-the-top, but it shows how fed up some fans are with his knack for dissing what they hold dear.

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