By Toby Christie, Editor — Follow on Twitter @Toby_Christie
Kyle Larson is obviously a super-talented race car driver, perhaps one of the best raw talents we have ever seen come through the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series garage. But is it possible that he is actually a fictional character from a movie that was released in theaters before his actual birth date?
Confused? Let me explain.
During a recent interview for an upcoming episode of The Final Lap Weekly Podcast, the conversation turned toward the topic of this year’s SEMA show, which Larson attended. Larson responded with, “Yeah SEMA was alright. I’m not like that into cars. I just do my stuff and head out.”
Wait. What? First off, how is a person who’s entire life and livelihood to this point revolves around racing cars, not care much for cars themselves?
Secondly, doesn’t this remind you of Cole Trickle from Days of Thunder?
In the movie, Trickle — played by Tom Cruise — is having a hard time adjusting to moving to NASCAR from the open wheeled ranks. His crew chief Harry Hogge — played by Robert Duvall — tries to teach Trickle how to conserve tires, and he explains that if the driver would just tell him what he felt behind the wheel that the team could adjust to Trickle’s driving style.
Hogge says, “Is she running loose or tight? A turn here, take some wedge out, we’ll win some races it’s as simple as that.”
Trickle responds, “I can’t do that. I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
“I don’t know much about cars,” Trickle continued.
Hogge tries to reassure his young driver that he’s no different in that aspect than other drivers, but Trickle doubles down in embarrassment.
“No, I really don’t know. A turn here? A wedge there? They told me to get in a car and drive and I could drive,” says Trickle. “I’d like to help out, but I can’t. I don’t have the vocabulary.”
Larson, like Trickle is a young talented driver who knows and cares little for cars. Also, Larson did rock a sweet Mello Yellow throwback scheme at Darlington a few years ago which was similar to the one Trickle used in the movie.
Perhaps Larson can find our sport’s Rowdy Burns and they can spark a rivalry for the ages.
Photo: Brian Lawdermilk/NASCAR via Getty Images
