December 1, 2021 | By Lee Spencer

NASHVILLE NOTEBOOK: Larson celebrates at Disneyland prior to championship festivities

NASHVILLE—Just like a lot of sports champions, Kyle Larson celebrated with a trip to Disneyland.

Of course, the 2021 NASCAR Cup champion continued to race before and after. Following a whirlwind media tour after locking down the title at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 7, Larson returned to Placerville Speedway—and Victory Lane 12 days later in a USAC midget.

“Now that I’m racing other stuff, I’ve almost forgotten about it (the Cup Series title) in a way,” Larson said with a laugh last Saturday at Ventura Raceway. “Maybe that makes it sink in because I’m already concentrating on the midget right now. But now that we get to go to the banquet, maybe that will finish the sinking in.”

If being recognized with a hometown parade down the streets of Elk Grove, Calif., to the Old Town Plaza weren't enough for the realization of his title feat to take hold, perhaps executing burnouts on Broadway in downtown Nashville might do the trick.

“It kind of seems real now at this point,” Larson said. “It was definitely a good run there. It was cool to get it done. Now, we’re ready to get back racing.”

Larson’s run was nothing short of miraculous—particularly compared with his previous body of work. Prior to joining Hendrick Motorsports, Larson’s resume featured six wins, 56 top fives and 101 top 10s. This season, Larson scored double-digit wins, the first time a driver amassed 10 victories since Jimmie Johnson accomplished the feat en route to the 2007 Cup title. He posted 20 top-five finishes—including 18 podium appearances, and 26 top 10s. 

Last Saturday, Larson returned to Ventura Raceway to defend his Turkey Night Grand Prix title, but not before a trip to Disneyland.

“There weren’t too many people that recognized me,” Larson said. “It wasn’t too bad, maybe like eight people recognized me, so it was fine.”

Larson finished fourth in the Turkey Night Grand Prix, won by fellow Californian Logan Seavey.

JARRETT TAKES ON SPOTTER ROLE FOR KURT BUSCH

When Kurt Busch jumps into the No. 45 Monster Energy Toyota for 23XI, veteran spotter Jason Jarrett will be his new eyes in the sky. 

“I think it’s always great when you get to work with a champion,” Jarrett said. “When you work with drivers who have won races and championships, it makes the whole team better. That’s what everyone wants to be a part of.

“So far, we were able to do the Charlotte test (Nov. 17-18) together but before that, it was just communication on wanting to work together. I’ve never worked with Kurt before but I think it will be a great opportunity.”

Along with his duties for the former Cup champion, Jarrett will also spot for Josh Berry at JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series and Tate Fogelman at On Point Motorsports in the Camping World Truck Series. 

Jarrett, 46, is the son and grandson of NASCAR champions and Hall of Famers Dale and Ned Jarrett. He’s been on the spotters’ stand since 2005 when he retired from driving. For the last nine seasons, Jarrett was aligned with Ryan Newman.