There was a time where Kyle Busch was undeniably the biggest villain in NASCAR. However, that’s no longer the case.

Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion, embraced the villain role at every level of NASCAR. He didn’t mind being arrogant after a victory or pointing the finger at others after a disappointing result. For better or worse, he was must-see TV every time he stepped on the track.

So, who is the top villain in NASCAR as of this year? Believe it or not, that title belongs to Busch’s former Joe Gibbs Racing teammate.

Denny Hamlin, who is currently third in the Cup Series standings, has become one of the most polarizing drivers in NASCAR. He received plenty of boos when he won back-to-back races at Darlington and Martinsville this season.

On the latest episode of Hamlin’s “Actions Detrimental” podcast, he talked about being NASCAR’s villain in an interview with Busch.

• Kyle Larson is currently leading in Cup Series points and preparing for his second Indianapolis 500.
• Larson remains unfazed by setbacks, as demonstrated by his quick recovery from a crash during Indy 500 testing.
• Hendrick Motorsports’ collaborative team environment is credited for Larson’s recent wins.
• Larson focuses on each race individually, acknowledging the different challenges of the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600.

Going into the NASCAR All-Star race this coming Sunday, May 18, at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Kyle Larson and his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports team are on a roll. Based on his dominant performance at Kansas Speedway by leading 221 of 267 laps from the pole position, it could be a very interesting time in the world of motorsports.

Finally, NASCAR appears to be exploring the option of adding horsepower

For years, NASCAR drivers have been calling for more horsepower. Instead, NASCAR did the opposite, reducing horsepower.

Tony Stewart says 20 drivers asked for changes; NASCAR told them they were wrong

Now, teams are racing a spec car and in general, the tires are harder. The cars are aero sensitive and passing on any single groove track has proven difficult.

NASCAR will say the data shows the racing is better with more overall passes throughout the field. But, fans have said that it fails the eye test and they’re calling for changes.

Again, drivers are being vocal. Same tune, they’re calling for more horsepower.

Suddenly, it appears that NASCAR is open to making this change. For the first time, NASCAR has stated they are open to adding horsepower back in.

Current NASCAR engines run at 670 horsepower. They have totally shut down the idea of jumping to 900 or 1,000hp

However, NASCAR is discussing an increase to 750hp.

NASCAR comments on adding more horsepower for short tracks

Kyle Larson comments

“I think we would be all for trying something,” Kyle Larson commented from the media center at Kansas Speedway.

“I don’t know if it’s going to change the racing, drastically. It’s a decent size increase but it’s not massive.”

“I’d be open for it. I know we all are. I think it’s gotten a little bit stale, the racing product.”

“We’re in need of a drastic change to try and help. I think it would help, it would be a good start.”

NASCAR engine builder wants more horsepower

A possible new manufacturer is a reason given for low horsepower

For over a decade, there have been discussions of a new manufacturer joining NASCAR. And, by keeping the horsepower down, it makes it easier for them to join the sport by lowering the development costs on an engine.

The above comments from Kyle Larson aren’t new. Last year, he said nearly identical statements while giving NASCAR’s reasoning for lower HP.

“Take us to Richmond or somewhere, go test,” Larson said in early 2024.

I’ve heard the excuse of, ‘We want to keep horsepower to where other manufacturers might want to come in.’ Well, as long as I’ve been in the sport, which is longer than 10 years, it’s been the same three manufacturers.”

“Maybe somebody else is coming. And maybe they’re the ones pushing for the horsepower. But, I’ve yet to see anybody new come in.”

“All these engine builders and teams are saying it’s not going to cost any different. Our guys, ‘We could bring 1000hp, next week and it not cost any more.’ “

Kyle Larson aims to embarrass NASCAR

Finally, NASCAR says they are exploring more horsepower

There appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel with hope on the horizon.

Mike Forde is the managing director of racing communications. He noted that 900 or 1,000 hp levels are off the table but he also noted that a power increase is possible.

“Well, I’m sure that’s going to come up too [this weekend at Kansas],” Forde said Hauler Talk.

“I’m sure that [horsepower] will come up this weekend, and that’s something that we’re going to look at seriously. You hear levels of 900, 1000 horsepower, whatever, I don’t know if that’s – that’s not on the table just because of the cost.”

“But there’s some conversation of, can you go up to 750? That’s something that I’m sure we’ll discuss with the drivers, too.”

“I don’t want to make any promises or get anyone’s hopes up, but that is, we seriously listen to the drivers and their feedback, and we’ll see what we can do there.”

NASCAR president Phelps on adding horsepower

Links

Kyle Larson | Bristol Motor Speedway | NASCAR

Noah Gragson and the No. 4 Rural King Ford Team
North Wilkesboro Speedway Competition Notes
NASCAR All-Star Race
Date: Sunday, May 18, 2025
Event: Race 14 of 38
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: North Wilkesboro Speedway (0.625-miles)
#of Laps: 250
Time/TV/Radio: 8:00 PM ET on FS1/MRN/SiriusXM channel 90

Noah Gragson Notes

Noah Gragson and the No. 4 Ford team head to the North Wilkesboro Speedway for the NASCAR Cup Series annual All-Star Race. For Gragson, he looks to continue his All-Star Fan Vote domination, winning the vote in 2023 & 2024 where he finished 23rd and 11th, respectfully. The weekend will kick off with the Pit Crew challenge on Friday, May 16th at 6:00 pm ET. The All-Star Open race will be held on Sunday, May 18th at 5:30 pm ET. The All-Star race is scheduled for Sunday evening at 8:00 pm ET.

Rural King, America’s Farm and Home Store, will return to Gragson’s No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. This marks the Mattoon, Illinois-based retailer’s third race with Front Row Motorsports, bringing its well-known commitment to rural values, hardworking communities, and American heritage to race fans across the country. Gragson will make an appearance at the Rural King in Conover, North Carolina on Sunday, May 18th from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm ET.

“I’ve always loved going to the North Wilkesboro Speedway,” said Gragson. “The energy there is incredible, and the track delivers that classic short-track, beating-and-banging style of racing. I’ve been fortunate to win the Fan Vote the past two years, so hopefully I can make it three in a row and get this No. 4 team into the main event.”

Road Crew

Driver: Noah Gragson

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada

Crew Chief: Drew Blickensderfer

Hometown: Decatur, Illinois

Car Chief: Joey Forgette

Hometown: Iron Mountain, Michigan

Engineer: Dillon Silverman

Hometown: Chico, California

Engineer: Scott Bingham

Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia

Mechanic: Chris Trickett

Hometown: Grafton, West Virginia

Mechanic: Tony Infinger

Hometown: Fort Valley, Georgia

Tire Specialist: Chris Aunspaw

Hometown: Zelienople, Pennsylvania

Engine Tuner: Matt Moeller

Hometown: Monroe, New York

Spotter: Nick Del Campo

Hometown: Blauvelt, New York

Transporter Co-Driver: Nate “Cookie” Eller

Hometown: Granite Falls, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Matt Murphy

Hometown: Augusta, Georgia

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Thomas Hatcher

Hometown: Middleburg, Florida

Rear Tire Changer: Adam Riley

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

Tire Carrier: Jarren Davis

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

Jackman: Nate McBride

Hometown: Vidalia, Georgia

Fueler: Ray Hernandez

Hometown: Orlando, Florida

ABOUT RURAL KING

Rural King, also known as RK Holdings, LLP, planted its roots as America’s Farm and Home Store in Mattoon, Illinois in 1960. Since that time, Rural King has grown to more than 140 stores in fourteen states. Specifically, we provide a broad range of essential goods, food, feed, seed and other farm and home necessities to the communities we serve throughout Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. We welcome and encourage everyone to enjoy our long-standing tradition of offering free popcorn and coffee every time you visit our stores.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Craftsman Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 Craftsman Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 4, No. 34, and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 34 and No. 38 Craftsman Truck Series teams from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @teamfrm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

Kyle Larson is one of the busiest NASCAR drivers. Away from his full-time duties for Hendrick Motorsports, he races extensively in the High Limit Racing Series, the World of Outlaws, and other dirt platforms. These indulgences have made his love for sprint car racing very apparent over the past several years. But would he prioritize it over NASCAR?

He mentioned in a recent interview with The Athletic that fans often get it wrong by assuming he would.

He said, “People back in the day used to get it wrong that I didn’t care about NASCAR. I still think people think, “Oh, I’m just doing this for the money, and if I had a choice, I’d be racing sprint cars all the time.”

“That really bugs me, because it isn’t about the money. I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t love it, you know? So I do love this. I wish fans would realize that,” the 32-year-old explained.

Larson has been racing full-time in the Cup Series since 2014. He is a Cup Series champion and is poised to become one of the greatest stock car racing drivers to have ever lived. Such achievements are not attainable without a strong love for the game.

One of the biggest reasons why he races dirt a lot is the practice that it offers for him to perform better in NASCAR. Especially with practice sessions before Cup Series races now limited, such extracurricular racing can help a lot.

So, it wouldn’t really be fair to claim that he would jump ship to sprint car racing if it offered him the same paycheck as NASCAR does. And yet, that’s exactly what the three-time Cup Series champion, Tony Stewart, did earlier this year.

Tony Stewart’s take on Larson’s NASCAR loyalty

Stewart is one of Larson’s mentors. They are quite similar in how they love racing outside NASCAR. It is with this position that Stewart said last month, “If the money was equal – and I’m not going to speak for Kyle (Larson) and Kyle and I have never had this conversation – but I feel very confident in this statement that if the money was equal, that Kyle Larson would be in a sprint car, not in a Cup car.”

That’s a bold claim. He had gone on to make the same statement about Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe, avid dirt racers. He continued, “And like I’ve said, I’ve never had this conversation with any of those guys about it, but that’s my gut instinct, that’s what my gut tells me that if the money was equal, they’d be on dirt, they’d not be in NASCAR right now.”

The dirt racing series of today aren’t going to be able to compete with NASCAR on financial grounds any time soon. The only scenario in which these words can be tested is if NASCAR purchases one of the platforms like how it purchased the ARCA Series in 2018 and raises the purse sizes. Only then would we truly know whether Larson would stay in stock cars or switch to sprint cars.

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