More Kyle Stories From Tulsa

January 04, 2025

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Jan 4, 2024 | Edition #119

👋 Dear Motorheads,

While one Kyle is off to an amazing start this year, the other just isn’t quite hitting his stride. And honestly, it's a bit surprising [after all it’s Dirt Racing]. It’s like if Richard Petty is the face of Stock Car Racing, Kyle Larson is the undisputed king of dirt.

Maybe he’s got a lot on his plate right now, but whatever the reason, we're all hoping to see [the old] Kyle Larson back behind the wheel soon. Here’s to Larson finding his rhythm once again—because when he does, the competition better watch out.

📈 Trending News

Kyle Larson’s Ups and Downs at Tulsa

The Lucky Dog has got the scoop on Kyle Larson’s highly anticipated return to the Mecca of Micros—the Tulsa Shootout. After 14 years away, the buzz around Larson’s comeback was through the roof. But, the racing gods had a different script in mind this time.

Let’s rewind to December 31st. Kyle Larson’s first test came in the Winged Outlaw heat race. Expectations were high, but it was a tough field out there. Larson fought hard to secure a third-place finish—not the dream start, but hey, you can’t count a guy like him out that early.

Fast forward to New Year’s Day, and Larson hit the track for the Non-Wing Outlaw heats. Starting from 10th, he clawed his way up to 4th. Progress, sure, but not the kind of fireworks fans were hoping for. Here’s a look at his gritty run. Nothing spectacular, just typical Larson—working his way up like the underdog he is.

Then came the A-Class Winged Heat Race. Starting 7th, Larson found himself locked in a fierce battle with sprint car ace Frank Flud. The two traded moves, but in the final laps, Flud edged him out, leaving Larson to settle for second.

Now, here’s where things get interesting. Larson had just flown in from Down Under [Perth, Australia] after winning the inaugural High Limit International Sprint Car race. Jet lag? Oh, you bet.

And if that wasn’t enough, Kyle Busch, the rookie on the Tulsa block, came in hot, winning heats in both classes Larson competed in.

But champions like Larson don’t stay down for long. On January 2nd, the tide turned in a pivotal heat race against HMS teammate Michael Hubert. It was a nail-biter to the finish, but Larson pulled off a clutch victory that had everyone on their feet. This one felt personal—just 0.048 seconds ahead, a statement that even when the odds are stacked against him, Larson’s still got that magic.

To sum it up, this year’s Tulsa Shootout didn’t hand Larson the fairytale ending fans might’ve dreamed of, but it showcased the grit and resilience that make him one of the best in the game. And trust us, this is just the beginning.

The action isn’t over yet: C. Bell steps up and delivers. See how he took on Busch & Larson next. Christopher Bell Comes Clutch, Gets Right Back at Kyle Busch & Larson

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🔎 The In-Depth View

When Chase Briscoe’s Career Nearly Ended?

Chase Briscoe’s journey to NASCAR’s top tier is the kind of tale that’ll make you believe in a little luck and the power of perseverance.

The Indiana native, who broke records as the youngest driver to win a 410 sprint car race, was steadily climbing the NASCAR ranks with his eyes set on the Cup Series. But there was a moment when it looked like Briscoe’s racing dreams were about to stall out entirely.

Let’s rewind to 2017. Briscoe had just wrapped up a solid season in the NASCAR Truck Series with Brad Keselowski Racing. Then the unthinkable happened: Brad Keselowski Racing shut down. And, just overnight, Briscoe was left without a ride.

For a talented 23-year-old with a Truck Series win and the Most Popular Driver award to his name, you’d think opportunities would be lining up. But without a big-time sponsor, even the best drivers can find themselves on the sidelines.

But giving up wasn’t in Briscoe’s DNA. Hustling his way into a part-time gig in the Xfinity Series with RFK Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing. In 17 starts, he managed a win, two top-5s, and four top-10 finishes—enough to land a full-time Xfinity ride with SHR in 2019. And oh boy, he did make it count. Briscoe finished 5th in the standings with an impressive 8.2 average finish. And, here’s how the 24-year-old passed Christopher Bell in 2019 at Iowa.

Just then another curveball came his way. For a guy who had done everything right on the track, this felt like a cruel twist of fate. “If you don’t find funding by next week, you’re not coming back,” SHR made it clear: no sponsor, no seat.

Then, like a scene straight out of a movie, Mike Mendiburu, a NASCAR fan, was intrigued by Briscoe’s story. Next thing? Briscoe’s dad sent him a picture of Mendiburu’s business card, and he wasted no time forwarding it to SHR. “My career was basically over,” Briscoe later recalled. “And then, out of nowhere, my dad happens to turn right out of a restaurant, and the CEO of HighPoint.com turns left.”

With HighPoint.com’s backing, Briscoe dominated the 2020 Xfinity season, winning nine races and punching his ticket to the Cup Series the following year.

Fast forward to 2025, and Briscoe is now set to take over the iconic #19 car for Joe Gibbs Racing, replacing none other than Martin Truex Jr. It’s a full-circle moment for a driver who came so close to losing it all. Briscoe’s journey is a reminder that in NASCAR, sometimes it’s not just about talent—it’s about timing, sponsors, and the magic of never giving up.

🏁 Lucky Dog’s Quick Poll 🏁

Do You Think NASCAR Drivers Need Luck, Like Briscoe Did?

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Last Poll’s Result: Despite Rowdy’s stellar performance in Tulsa, we asked if 2025 would finally be his year to break his Cup Series winless streak. A resounding 81.99% of you said “yes.” Love him or hate him, Kyle Busch’s die-hard fans remain unwavering in their belief that good days are just around the corner.

🗞️ NASCAR Shorts!

FRM’s Truck Talent Secures His Cup Seat

The Lucky Dog called it! In our last edition, we talked about the possibility of Zane Smith landing a full-time NASCAR Cup Series seat—and here we are, with Zane officially coming home to the big leagues.

FRM is [literally] rolling out the welcome mat for Zane, and it's a perfect fit. He'll be joining Todd Gilliland and Noah Gragson for the 2025 season, while Michael McDowell moves to Spire Motorsports in a bit of a shake-up for the team. The team also created a crazy “we are back baby” video with Zand and Gragson. Watch it here.

🌪️ Cause for Controversy

Jeff Burton Calling NASCAR “Too Damn Expensive”

When Jeff Burton speaks, you listen. And right now, he’s not mincing words. NASCAR, once a sport defined by blue-collar grit and raw driving talent, has become “too damn expensive,” according to him.

In this frank and unapologetic discussion, Burton pulled no punches in laying out the harsh reality: the escalating costs are suffocating the very heart of the sport, driving smaller teams to the brink of extinction.

He isn’t just talking numbers for the sake of it—he’s drawing from his own experience. Burton vividly remembers his early years in the Xfinity Series, where a full season cost him around $220,000[approx] supported by sponsorships just shy of $100,000.

Today? That same amount barely covers two races. And he’s not asking, “Is the racing better?”—he’s flat-out stating what many already know: the answer is a resounding “no.”

And, according to the Lucky Dog, this isn’t just about money; it’s about the fundamental shift in what NASCAR has become. The race is no longer run on a track but in boardrooms, with teams scrambling to outspend each other in a high-stakes technology arms race.

Burton argues that what was once a sport driven by the creativity of engineers and the skill of drivers is now dominated by a need for data, simulations, and cutting-edge tools that only the well-funded can access.

The numbers are staggering. To maintain a single Cup Series car, teams are now spending upwards of $400,000 per race—pushing annual costs over $15 million. It’s no longer about the talent that goes behind the wheel; it’s about how deep your pockets run. And with NASCAR locked into contracts with exclusive suppliers, smaller teams are left watching from the sidelines as their competitors stockpile the latest technology.

Burton's frustration isn’t just a critique; it’s a call to action. NASCAR, he also argues, needs to find a way to lower costs, simplify the game, and bring the focus back to racing. No more buying an edge—it's time to let skill and strategy lead the way once again.

🗓️ Countdown to Green Flag!

43 Days Till Daytona…

A true NASCAR fan remembers the inaugural Daytona 500, and every race that followed. So the countdown is on—43 days until the most anticipated race of the year, and we’re here with you every lap of the way. We know it sounds like a lot of time, but the Lucky Dog’s got you covered until we hit the green flag at Daytona.

Speaking of "43," let’s take a moment to reflect on what that number really means in NASCAR. For most of you, it’s the iconic 1970 Plymouth Superbird [and it’s beautiful], painted in that unforgettable blue with the bold white #43.

And behind the wheel, there’s "The King" himself, Richard Petty. That combination of car and driver is as synonymous with NASCAR as the Daytona 500 itself. But here’s the thing: the #43 car has a legacy that goes far beyond Richard Petty.

To kick start, Petty has 192 wins in 1,125 starts, 48,125 laps led, and an incredible 7 Cup Championships. He also has a record-setting seven Daytona 500 victories, with his last win in 1981—a record that still stands to this day. Richard didn’t just make the #43 famous—he made it a symbol of dominance [from the vault, only for you, the 1981 Daytona 500].

Long before Richard ever got behind the wheel, his father, Lee Petty, drove the #43 to victory lane in 1950. And, over the years, the #43 car has been driven by other NASCAR greats, including Maurice Petty, Kyle Petty, and many others. But even before the Pettys, the #43 had a history of its own.

In 1949, Jack Russell took the wheel in NASCAR’s Strictly Stock Series. As time went on, many legends continued to climb into the #43. But in 2022, Erik Jones made history by adding another chapter to the #43’s legacy with a win at the Southern 500, the first victory for the car since Almirola’s in 2014.

Here’s the thing though: winning in the #43 car isn’t easy. Sure, active drivers like AJ Allmendinger, Almirola, and Bubba Wallace have given it their best shot, but no one’s come close to replicating Petty’s level of success. However, Almirola’s run with the #43 was solid—208 starts, a win, and 30 top-10 finishes.

That’s what makes the #43 so special—it’s a car that challenges every driver who gets behind the wheel. And with Legacy Motor Club recharged for 2025, we’re all waiting to see if Erik Jones can add even more victories to this legendary number’s story.

With 43 days to go, we’ve got plenty of time to dive into the history of the #43 and the Petty family’s impact on NASCAR.

The countdown to Daytona is on, and we’re right here with you doing all countdowns. After all, the 21-day countdown is also coming soon, and we’ll save the conversation about Dale Sr.’s #3 for later.

📰 Lucky Dog's Recommended Reads

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