NASCAR champion Kyle Larson reveals what's most exciting about 2026 Tulsa Shootout

NASCAR star Kyle Larson has revealed what is exciting him most about this year's Tulsa Shootout as he previews the prestigious dirt racing event.

The 2026 edition of the annual dirt racing event is currently taking place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with 443 races set to take place across six classes in just five days (Dec 30 - Jan 3).

Larson himself will be competing, as will fellow Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, but the Hendrick Motorsports star is not focused on himself or indeed his own glory this week.

TULSA SHOOTOUT 2026: Schedule, format and how to watch Kyle Busch vs Kyle Larson live

Kyle Larson excited to see kids race at Tulsa Shootout

Instead, it's a family affair for Larson, who is more excited to see his children - son Owen and daughter Audrey - compete instead.

Speaking to FloRacing ahead of the event, Larson said: “That’s what I’m most excited about is just getting to see the kids participate in a big event, have fun and, hopefully, do a good job.

“Audrey, she’s getting to run her first Shootout in the junior sprint and she takes it very seriously. We’ve watched every lap of the 2024 Shootout, every lap of the Junior Sprint. So she’s been studying. Hopefully, she can do good.

“And then Owen, he has been doing a good job this year, but he’s going to be in a lot of tough divisions, so I don’t know what to expect there. Obviously, it takes a little bit of luck along the way.”

NASCAR TODAY: Kyle Larson pockets $110K as beer sponsors' hatred revealed

Which classes are Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson competing in?

Kyle Larson will only be racing in the Winged Outlaw category this time around, dedicating the remainder of his time to helping his children.

Owen Larson, meanwhile, will be racing in the Restricted A-Class, Winged A-Class, and Stock Non-Wing divisions, while Audrey Larson is on the entry list for the Jr Sprint division.

Elsewhere, Kyle Busch will also compete alongside his son Brexton this year, with the two-time NASCAR champion racing in the Winged Outlaw, Non-Wing Outlaw, Winged A-Class and Stock Non-Wing categories.

Brexton, meanwhile, is set to compete in the Winged Outlaw, Restricted A-Class, Winged A-Class, and Stock Non-Wing classes.