“This is the best driver we have right now”: Kyle Larson deemed finest North American driver by NASCAR insider

A NASCAR insider has recently hailed Kyle Larson as not just the best driver in NASCAR, but the best driver in the arena of North American Motorsports. The claim was made in the latest episode of the O'Reilly Auto Parts Pit Reporters on GoPrnLive.

Kyle Larson drives the number 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Hendrick Motorsports. Larson is a three-time NASCAR All-Star Race winner and is also the 2021 Cup Series champion. He has 26 wins under his belt. However, the question is how far he is from the 50-win mark.

SiriusXM journalist Davey Segal responded to that question saying that although 50 is a big number, but if there were someone who could do it, it would be Kyle Larson (2:21).

"That's a big number but if anybody can get there it's probably him," said Segal.

Furthermore, Segal opined that Larson's stint with Hendrick Motorsports has just begun. He believes the best years for the Elk Grove native are yet to come (2:28).

"We know that he's been around for so long doing this at such a high level for a sustained period of time, but his time at Hendrick (Motorsports) is till kind of in it's infancy," explained Segal. "His relationship with Cliff Daniels is really still kind of getting started. I think that his best years are ahead of him, not behind him."

Suggesting that Kyle Larson could win even 10 races this year as he did back in 2021, Segal said (3:01),

"Who knows if we're gonna get to that 10-win mark like he had a couple years ago when he won the championship? I mean, this is the best driver that we have right now. Not just in the Cup Series... I venture to say in North American Motorsports, you can quote me on that."

Kyle Larson currently sits at the top of the NASCAR Cup Series point standings with 561 points to his credit. With 10 races to go till the postseason, the HMS icon has led 675 laps combined and collected 7 top 5s and 8 top 10s.

"Locked for the Championship 4"- NASCAR insider backs Kyle Larson's superiority over Denny Hamlin

When asked what was the limit for Kyle Larson, Segal said, "The Sky". NASCAR journalist Zach Sturniolo agreed with Segal and further explained why Larson was in a better spot than Denny Hamlin, who, like Larson, has three wins this year.

"Unfortunately Denny Hamlin," explained Sturniolo. "We keep going back to him basically gave up whatever advantage (Larson) gave up by missing the (Coca-Cola) 600. As far as Larson's peak goes career-wise, I could easily see him hitting that 50-mark. He's already won 20 races with Hendrick Motorsports alone; we're talking since 2021. It's an absurd number."

Kyle Larson joined Hendrick Motorsports in 2021 following his tenure at Chip Ganassi Racing. In his first year on Rick Hendrick's team, Larson shattered the record of laps led in a single season, setting the new benchmark at 2581. That year, Larson got Hendrick Motorsports its 14th Cup Series championship.

Kyle Larson after winning the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway last week

According to the NASCAR journalist, Larson could easily win seven races this year.

"I mean, he's already at 3; winning 4 almost seems low from this point on to the end of this year. To me he's already locked for the Championship 4," he added.

Larson's latest win came last week at Sonoma Raceway where he held off fellow racers Michael McDowell and Chris Buescher during the final moments of the race. He will next compete in the Iowa Corn 350 on Sunday, June 16.