5 NASCAR drivers who are really good at dirt racing feat. Kyle Larson

Kyle Larson is one of the most famous names in motorsports, majorly earning this reputation because of his ability to navigate through all types of tracks and terrains, but he is not the only one.

In NASCAR, the skill and versatility required to succeed on asphalt tracks often begins with a foundation built on dirt.

Several of today’s top drivers honed their craft on dirt racing circuits before transitioning to the elite levels of stock car racing. From the dirt tracks all over the United States to the high banks of Daytona, these drivers have proven that their experiences on loose, unpredictable surfaces can translate into success across NASCAR’s most challenging stages.

Here are five drivers who successfully transitioned from a stellar career in dirt racing to NASCAR.

5 NASCAR drivers who are really good at dirt racing

#5 Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driving the #47 for Hyak Motorsports, has been a big name in NASCAR for a while now. He started his career in 2013 and earned his first race victory at the Talladega Superspeedway in 2017, before following it up by winning at Daytona in the same year. He also claimed back-to-back championship victories in NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2011 and 2012. His aggresive style and an ability to navigate through high pressure situations translates well to dirt track car racing. It is evident by his performances in such races.

He started his career in sprint car racing in 2003 and won the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame driver poll and the Dirt Winged Sprint Car Rookie of the Year in the same year. He also achieved the rare feat of winning dual Rookie of the Year honors in the United States Auto Club Sprint and the Midget Series while finishing sixth and third, respectively in 2007. His driving style makes him a threat on all types of tracks and races.

#4. Tyler Reddick

Tyler Reddick has emerged as one of the most talented drivers in NASCAR because of his adaptability and competitiveness. He began his NASCAR career in the Craftsman Truck Series and moved on to the Xfinity Series, where he claimed the championship in 2018 and followed it with another championship win in 2019 driving for JR Motorsports (2018) and Richard Childress Racing (2019). He then moved up to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2019 with the RCR Team and claimed his first Cup Series victory in 2022 at Road America. In 2024, he was the regular season champion. The 28-year-old's achievements stem from his history in dirt track racing.

The 23XI Racing driver became the youngest driver to qualify for the World 100 at Eldora Speedway. Reddick also holds the record for the youngest ever to have won the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, winning against some of the top competitors in the year 2011. His ability on dirt tracks has translated well into dirt races in NASCAR like at Bristol. All in all, he has been good in both the disciplines.

#3. Chase Briscoe

Chase Briscoe will race in the #19 for Joe Gibbs racing in 2025. He established himself as another rising star like Tyler Reddick. He began NASCAR racing in the Craftsman Truck Series and won his first race at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2017 and also earned himself the title of Rookie of the Year that season.

Briscoe later moved to the Xfinity Series in 2018 with Stewart-Haas Racing. His next big move was debuting in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2021. Briscoe earned his first Cup Series victory at the Pheonix Raceway in 2022 where he reached the Round of 8 in the playoffs. During his stints, it quickly became evident that he is versatile and is capable of being successful on all sorts of tracks.

The 30-year-old started his career in dirt racing and at the age of 13 had already driven 410 sprint cars. He became the youngest driver to win a 410 sprint car race. In 2018, he won his second NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on dirt at the Eldora Speedway in a dramatic finish. Briscoe's prowess on dirt is undisputed.

#2. Christopher Bell

Christopher Bell, #20 for Joe Gibbs Racing, is another NASCAR driver whose experience on dirt tracks has influenced his performance in the NASCAR Cup Series and its supporting series. He finished third in the 2019 Xfinity Series after winning eight races. Bell transitioned to the Cup Series in 2020 where he won his first race in 2021.

The 30-year-old Oklahama native started his racing career in midget cars where he won the 2013 USAC National Midget Series and accumulated over 20 wins in the series. He also won the 2017, 2018, 2019 Chili Bowl Nationals. He showcased his adaptability with multiple wins in regional and national events.

#1. Kyle Larson

Kyle Larson might be the most famous of all the drivers who have been prominent names in both dirt racing and NASCAR circles. He drives the #5 for Hendrick Motorsports and has found himself in the upper echelon of several records in NASCAR over the years. Larson clinched his first NASCAR Cup Series title in 2021 where he won 10 races out of his 29 career wins. He continues racing in dirt races during the NASCAR off-season.

The Californian has been a dominant figure in sprint car racing with close to 40 career wins in the World of Outlaws series alone. He is also a two-time winner of the Chili Bowl Nationals (2020 and 2021) and also won the Knoxville Nationals in 2021, 2023 and 2024. The Hendrick Motorsports driver has a natural ability to control a car on the loose, unpredictable surfaces of dirt tracks which makes him stand out compared to his contemporaries

Edited by Tushar Bahl