NASCAR: Kyle Larson on how he felt the day after his crash at Atlanta and what happened.
On September 8, 2024, Kyle Larson found himself at the center of a major crash during the NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
The race was unfolding with typical high-speed intensity when, late in the competition, Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet got involved in a multi-car incident that sent him hard into the wall. The crash occurred while Larson was competing for a top position, battling within the pack.
Larson’s car made heavy contact with the outside wall after being nudged by another competitor, and the force of the collision shattered his race car, bringing it to a smoking halt on the track. Fans watched in anticipation, and fortunately, Larson quickly responded on his radio to confirm he was alright, signaling to his team and fans that he wasn’t seriously injured.
The day after the wreck, Larson opened up about his physical and emotional state. Physically, the crash left him sore, with his body absorbing the brunt of the violent impacts.
“I woke up feeling pretty stiff,” he admitted, noting that although he didn’t suffer any serious injuries, it was a stark reminder of the toll such high-speed collisions can take on the body. NASCAR’s stringent safety measures, such as the HANS device and improved car structures, once again proved crucial in preventing more severe injuries.
#NASCAR … Kyle Larson on how he felt the day after his crash at Atlanta and what happened.
Emotionally, the crash left Larson feeling reflective. “It’s always a wake-up call when you have something like that happen,” Larson said the following day. While the sport is inherently dangerous, Larson explained that every crash reminds drivers of the thin margin between control and disaster on the racetrack. Despite this, he was determined to shake off the incident and move forward.
“It’s all part of the job,” Larson shared, adding that his focus had already shifted to recovering and preparing for the next race. Even after a crash as severe as this one, his mentality remained clear—learn from the experience, but don’t let it shake your confidence or momentum.
