Kyle Larson Avoids Racing His Son – Fear of Losing or a Different Strategy?

“Get up there… Put your money where your mouth is.” Those are the intense words Kyle Busch used to push his son, Brexton Busch, after a hard-fought battle on the track. It’s a philosophy of tough love that has worked wonders for the Busch family—producing two NASCAR Cup Series champions, Kurt and Kyle. However, Kyle Larson is not ready to embrace the same approach with his son, Owen Larson.

While Kyle Busch firmly believes in pushing Brexton to the limit, Kyle Larson opts for a more balanced method—one that allows his son to grow without the immense pressure of competing against him directly. But will this strategy lead Owen to the same heights as Brexton?

Battle of the Busches: A Father-Son Showdown on the Track

Recently, the ‘Battle of the Buschs’ took place at the 600 Winged Micro race at Millbridge Speedway, where Kyle Busch squared off against his son. Brexton put up a strong fight, constantly chasing his father, but experience won out in the end—Busch took the victory.

This raised an interesting question: Would Kyle Larson ever race against Owen in a similar father-son battle? The answer, at least for now, is a resounding no.

Kyle Larson Rejects the Idea of a ‘Larson Clash’

Despite Owen Larson’s growing success in racing, Kyle Larson isn’t eager to follow in Kyle Busch’s footsteps. The 10-year-old racer has already made a name for himself:

• Won his first career race in the Beginner Box Stock division at Millbridge Speedway.

• Captured his first Sprint Car checkered flag at Coles County Speedway in June 2024.

• Competed head-to-head with Brexton Busch at the 2025 Tulsa Shootout, clinching a major win in FuelTech Race 138.

With Owen already proving his talent, Larson doesn’t see the need for an intense father-son rivalry. When asked about it ahead of the Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway, Larson stated:

“I’m sure it will happen eventually, but it’s not really on the radar yet. I’m sure it could happen next year or something. I don’t race Micros as often as Kyle does. The more of the stuff I run is in the bigger cars.”

Kyle Busch’s Retirement Plans Revolve Around Brexton

While Kyle Larson wants Owen to develop at his own pace, Kyle Busch has already mapped out his son’s career. Following their first race together, Busch confirmed his long-term plan:

“I always said he would run the short tracks, and I would run the big tracks. When he’s old enough, he’ll take over.”

Busch even suggested that he could retire from the Cup Series when Brexton turns 15 so they could share a Truck ride before his son transitions to NASCAR’s higher levels.

A Mother’s Concern: Racing Comes with Risks

NASCAR is notorious for its high-speed crashes and dangerous accidents. Kyle Busch himself suffered a brutal leg injury at the 2015 Daytona 500, forcing him to sit out multiple races (though he still came back to win the championship that year).

That’s why Samantha Busch, Brexton’s mother, was incredibly nervous about her son racing against his father at Millbridge Speedway:

“I just don’t want them to wreck each other.”

While Brexton has had an impressive start—competing in over 150 races in 2024 and securing his first Golden Driller trophy in Tulsa—going up against a two-time Cup Series champion was a whole new challenge.

“I thought this would be really cool, but there are also a lot of nerves. You’re racing your dad—a two-time Cup champion. That’s a lot of pressure for a nine-year-old.”

Brexton put on a strong performance, staying on his father’s tail throughout the race. Ultimately, Kyle Busch finished 3rd, while Brexton secured a respectable 6th place.

Kyle Larson’s Alternative Path: A Different Way to Success?

While the Busch family thrives on competition and high-pressure showdowns, the Larsons believe in a more flexible approach. Kyle Larson’s decision to hold off on racing against his son isn’t about avoiding competition—it’s about letting Owen find his own path without the burden of expectation.

Will this more relaxed method prove to be the key to long-term success for Owen Larson? Or will Kyle Busch’s approach forge the next NASCAR superstar in Brexton?

The Difference Between Two Approaches to Raising a Racing Champion

Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson are not only different on the track but also in how they guide their sons toward a racing career. Busch embraces the “tough love” approach, pushing his son into intense challenges early on, believing that pressure builds champions. Meanwhile, Larson prefers to let Owen find his own way, avoiding direct father-son duels for now.

Which approach is the right one? That depends on the child. Brexton Busch has grown up in a household where racing is everything—his grandfather, Tom Busch, took a similar approach when raising Kyle and Kurt Busch. Brexton seems to thrive under pressure, unafraid to race against his father and ready to prove himself. Owen Larson, on the other hand, is following a more gradual path, with his father guiding him step by step instead of throwing him into high-stakes battles at a young age.

However, there’s no denying that both kids are progressing rapidly and have immense potential. The big question is: Will Owen Larson fall behind if his father refuses to create a “Larson Clash” the way Kyle Busch did with Brexton?

What do you think about these two approaches? Should Kyle Larson take a tougher stance to accelerate his son’s development, or is a flexible approach the real key to success?