Kyle Larson has admitted that he finds it tricky to get too excited about who wins the Daytona 500.
Arguably the biggest event in the sport, the Great American Race also serves as the season opener for the NASCAR Cup Series, and this year will be the first race of Larson's title defence.
The newly-crowned two-time champion told media this weekend that the huge multi-car wrecks and seeming randomness of the event mean that he finds it hard to get too excited about whoever's won.
Possibly contributing to his apathy about the race is the fact that, in 12 attempts, Larson has never finished higher than seventh in the historic race, and hasn't finished better than tenth since 2019.
Larson: Anyone can win at Daytona
Talking to the media on Saturday, he explained: “I mean, it’s always going to be prestigious and feel prestigious. You know, I’ve never won the race, I’ve never even finished top five. So, I don’t know what the feeling, I would imagine the feeling of winning is still going to be extremely massive if it ever happens.
“But it is difficult to get like, really excited about the winner or who’s won when usually there’s a 20-car pileup, and the guy running towards the back squeaks through and then misses another wreck later and wins. But that’s the race, and that’s how it is.”
He added: “You know, I think William Byron winning two in a row is not a fluke. So, the cream does rise. He’s won there in the old-style car and this car. So, yeah, I mean, Daytona, Talladega, yeah, sure, anybody can win, but still, the teams that position themselves the best and the drivers making the best decisions do win.
“I don’t know if that really answers your question or not, but it’s still always going to be prestigious.”
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