Kyle Larson responds to criticism about his title on social media

Kyle Larson Breaks His Silence on Social Media with a Surprising Emoji

Kyle Larson wrapped up his 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season as the leader in multiple categories, including laps led (1,700), 15 top-five finishes, and six wins. Despite these impressive stats, Larson was unable to make it into the Championship 4 race and finished sixth in the overall points standings. His absence from the title fight in Phoenix sparked complaints among fans on social media about the playoff format and how it seemingly doesn’t reward the best drivers with the opportunity to compete for the championship.

A Disappointing End to a Strong Season

After Martinsville, where his teammate William Byron and rival Christopher Bell appeared to benefit from race manipulation, many fans suggested that Larson, the 2021 NASCAR champion, should have continued racing for a shot at the title. During a press conference in the desert on November 9, a reporter asked Larson for his thoughts on this idea.

“I just deleted Twitter a couple of weeks ago,” Larson surprisingly revealed. “So, I haven’t known about a lot of things.”

This revelation came as shock and disappointment to many of Larson’s fans, who had appreciated his recent willingness to share his thoughts on racing, including a lengthy post about the Bristol Motor Speedway and general reflections on various issues. Larson’s openness had made his followers feel more connected to his journey in the sport.

The Unexpected Social Media Silence

Larson’s final original post on X (formerly known as Twitter) was on October 23, when he discussed returning to Indianapolis in 2025 to race in the Indianapolis 500 and defend his victory at the Brickyard 400. He later reposted a few updates on October 25 and November 21, sharing promotional content for his team, Hendrick Motorsports (HMS), and another for FloRacing. However, on Friday, the 32-year-old driver responded to a post from Pristine Auction, a sports memorabilia auction site, with a simple emoji—a finger pointing down—directing followers to a Black Friday promotion.

That was it.

This left fans wondering if Larson’s self-imposed social media silence was over or if his recent post was simply a contractual obligation, with no further personal engagement expected from him. While the emoji reply was unexpected, it also raises questions about Larson’s intentions moving forward.

The Impact of Larson’s Silence

In any case, it’s clear that this move by Larson has caught the attention of the NASCAR community. Fans have continued to debate whether the current playoff format is fair, especially with the absence of one of the sport’s top talents from the championship race. The format has been a recurring topic of controversy, with many feeling that it doesn’t always reflect the performance of the best drivers throughout the season. Larson’s position at the top of the leaderboard in several key metrics but missing the final showdown in Phoenix only intensifies this debate.

The silence from Larson on social media also adds an element of mystery to the situation. Known for his strong performances on the track and his candid interactions with fans, his departure from the social media spotlight has left some fans wondering about his future approach to sharing his journey.