Mark Martin: Kyle Larson is a 'once-in-a-generation talent'

Mark Martin delivered some high praise for Kyle Larson, believing he’s one of the more talented drivers to ever compete in the NASCAR Cup Series.

From a former driver of the No. 5 for Hendrick Motorsports to the current pilot of the ride, Martin believes we’re witnessing greatness personified week-in and week-out when Larson is behind the wheel. It’s something the 66-year-old retired wheelman doesn’t take for granted, as he enjoys watching a new generation of NASCAR drivers lead the sport.

“As far as Kyle Larson is concerned, behind the wheel — I’m not going to go fanboy on him, but I’m going to tell you something, he’s a once-in-a-generation talent [that] we have the privilege to witness,” Martin said, delivering high praise for the Hendrick Motorsports star, via an interview with Chase Holden.

All told, Martin won’t hear any arguments from NASCAR fans regarding his sentiment on Larson. Since coming into the sport, all he’s done is win and improve year after year, and he’s been a force to be reckoned with since joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2021. Larson has only won a single championship, but it certainly could’ve been more with the way he’s raced.

Over the course of his time in the Cup Series, Larson has accumulated 29 wins and 182 top ten finishes. While last season didn’t end with his second title, Larson led the sport in wins, and was many’s unquestioned top wheelman throughout the season.

Moving forward, the Hendrick star doesn’t believe championships are the best way to tell if you had a great season or not, as the playoff format “devalues a championship,” and many NASCAR fans would agree with that sentiment.

“If anything, I just think the format in a way devalues a championship,” Larson said, regarding last season’s debacle in the playoffs. “Especially in the Next-Gen era. So, I think obviously you’d like to win the most races and win the championship and all that, but I think winning six races, that’s extremely tough to do, and we were a factor in many more than that.

“So, I’m proud of the season, proud of the effort from the team, and looking forward to next year too. We’ll hopefully start off strong and carry it on through the playoffs like we did this year.” 

Moving forward, Kyle Larson will look to continue being the class of the NASCAR Cup Series, and Mark Martin will have a ton of fun rooting him on. From a Hendrick alumni to the leader of the team at the moment, that’s a heck of feather in the cap for the wheelman of the No. 5.