Kyle Larson leads NASCAR in merchandise sales after difficult Indy-Coke 600 double

Kyle Larson Leads NASCAR Merchandising Amid Mixed Performance

CONCORD, N.C. — Halfway through the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports tops merchandise sales, despite a challenging Memorial Day weekend where he failed to finish both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600. Larson’s appeal has surged, positioning him closely behind Chase Elliott for the Most Popular Driver Award.

With three victories, eight top-five finishes, and nine top-10 results this season, Larson’s on-track performance remains impressive. However, his recent comments sparked debate. After a successful weekend at Bristol, Larson expressed a desire to “embarrass” drivers in the Xfinity Series, stating on the Harvick Happy Hour podcast, “I want to smash the field when I run Xfinity. That’s motivating me for sure.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. responded critically, noting, “The first thing he said, I didn’t like…The rest of the point he made was valid,” referring to Larson’s frustration over restrictions on Cup drivers in lower series.

Amidst these controversies, merchandise sales during the Coca-Cola 600 weekend marked the highest since 2010, underscoring Larson’s growing commercial success.