The two-time NASCAR Cup Series champ has a point.<\/p>\n
PublishedApril 7, 2026 4:40 PM EDT\u2022UpdatedApril 7, 2026 4:40 PM EDT<\/p>\n
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Sometimes, for whatever reason, Americans just *Rodney Dangerfield voice* don’t get any respect, and Kyle Larson is giving his take on it.<\/p>\n
Reigning NASCAR Cup Series champ Kyle Larson<\/a> was a guest on SPEED With Harvick & Buxton<\/a>, hosted by NASCAR great Kevin Harvick and the voice of IndyCar, Will Buxton.<\/p>\n Larson is one of the most versatile drivers on the planet, from his successes in the Cup Series<\/a> and on dirt tracks to taking two cracks at the Indianapolis 500.<\/p>\n However, he noted that Europeans tend to look down their noses at American drivers.<\/p>\n “Americans in general don’t get the respect that they deserve from Europeans,” Larson said. “In any form, I feel like, of sport. But yeah, in racing especially too.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Larson then hit on something that has always bugged me, too, even as a big fan of Formula 1<\/a>: the perception that F1 drivers are the best-of-the-best-of-the-best that the racing world has to offer.<\/p>\n “I mean, Formula One is huge, right?” he said. “It’s by far the biggest, most-watched motorsport. Understandably, their fans are so focused on… They’re not paying attention to what we’re doing over here (in the U.S.), and rightly so. That’s fine, whatever.\u00a0<\/p>\n “But yeah, I think that makes it to where they don’t think there can ever be another driver as good as the worst Formula One drivers.”<\/p>\n I think people who watch enough racing realize this isn’t accurate, but I think it’s still the common perception.<\/p>\n READ: F1 ACCUSED OF TRYING TO HIDING EMBARRASSING ISSUE WITH ITS NEW CARS<\/a><\/p>\n In fact, sometimes F1 refers to its grid being made up of the 22 best drivers in the world.<\/p>\n I mean\u2026 some are.<\/p>\n But were recent F1 drivers like Nikita Mazepin or Nicholas Latifi better than some drivers in IndyCar<\/a>, sports cars, or NASCAR?<\/p>\n With all due respect, no, they were not better than \u00c0lex Palou, Scott Dixon, Kyle Larson, or many other drivers who have found homes in American-based series.<\/p>\n But that’s the perception and, as Larson noted, hopefully someday that changes.<\/p>\n