Kyle Larson is trying to rebuild his racing career from the ground up, although pulling it out of the dirt might be the more apt cliche after Saturday.
The former NASCAR Cup Series driver received a large lift when he won a World of Outlaws race this weekend in Pevely, Mo., about 30 miles south of downtown St. Louis.
LARSON TIMELINE: Why was he banned, and when can he return?
He's a World of Outlaws driver at the moment because NASCAR suspended him indefinitely — and Chip Ganassi Racing then fired him — for uttering a racial slur during a live iRacing event. He is allowed to compete in the series because he completed sensitivity training. Separately, he has apologized for what he said.
Larson, 27, looked toward what might lie ahead following his Saturday night win, which earned him the $20,000 first prize.
"I can't thank each and every one of you enough," he told fans at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55, according to NBCSports.com. "Everybody watching on DirtVision at home. All my supporters. It means a lot, and I can’t wait to get my journey started and kind of see where my future goes from here."
This weekend, he displayed the talent that made him one of NASCAR's top young drivers. He set a track record Friday in qualifying with a sub-10-second lap, finished second in that night's event, and then pulled away for the win Saturday after leader Sheldon Haudenschild wrecked with 16 laps remaining.
. @dirtvision REPLAY: For the first time in his career at @I55Raceway, and the first time this season, @KyleLarsonRacin heads to victory lane and up on top of the wing! #LiveNOS pic.twitter.com/VsD0nB8ZCZ
— World of Outlaws (@WorldofOutlaws) May 24, 2020
The win was Larson's first in five races in the series this year and ninth World of Outlaws victory overall.
