"Jeff Gordon didn’t want to race everything" - Kenny Wallace argues Kyle Larson’s all-in approach is key to NASCAR GOAT status

Former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace hailed Kyle Larson's commitment to different forms of motor racing. Wallace compared Larson to four-time Cup champion Jeff Gordon, noting that even Gordon didn't have the same desire to compete outside of stock car racing.

Most NASCAR drivers spent their two-week Olympic break enjoying their downtime. Kyle Larson, however, took a brief break before returning to sprint car racing, where he entered the World of Outlaws Ironman 55 weekend and swept the event, securing his third I-55 victory.

After Larson's heroics made headlines, Kenny Wallace elaborated on what sets the #5 Hendrick Motorsports driver apart from other NASCAR greats. Wallace pointed out that even Jeff Gordon was overwhelmed by NASCAR's grueling schedule and opted out of other events.

Wallace compared Larson to a little kid, always excited to get behind the wheel of any racecar. In an episode of Coffee with Kenny on his YouTube channel, he stated:

"We have not witnessed a racecar driver that welcomes racing in everything. In other words, my dear friend Jeff Gordon, I came in NASCAR with him. Jeff didn't want to race in everything. Jeff was burnt out on racing. Jeff Gordon did not want to run all types of racing." [at 1:38]

"I think that's what makes Kyle Larson stand out, he's like a little kid - he run around like a damn Tasmanian devil. Larson is so excited to race in everything he can get in, and I love it, because that's right down my alley, Ken Schrader's alley," he added.

Kenny Wallace further argued that he frequently praises Larson to remind everyone of the extraordinary talent that the 32-year-old possesses. Wallace described the 2021 NASCAR Cup champion as a "gift from the gods," emphasizing that we are witnessing one of the most talented race car drivers in the history of motorsports.

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Kenny Wallace compares Kyle Larson to Motorsports legends

Wallace further praised Kyle Larson's versatility, placing him alongside IndyCar legends A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti, who excelled in various forms of motorsports and are widely considered the greatest race drivers of all time.

Wallace stated that no driver has shown as much commitment to different types of motor racing as Larson. The 60-year-old former NASCAR driver said:

"In my opinion, and I'm the biggest AJ Foyt fan in history. A.J. Foyt, the greatest of all time. In my era it was Foyt and Mario Andretti, you know why, because they could get in every car and win." [at 1:13]

"We've have never seen a driver that loves racing as much as Kyle Larson. A.J. [Foyt] loved it but just didn't constantly run every single type of car," he added.

Kenny Wallace mentioned that even the great Foyt didn't like to compete in NASCAR because the cars were too loud.