Hendrick Motorsports Puts Kyle Larson Into GOAT Debate, Recreates Lewis Hamilton’s Iconic Photo
The debate over NASCAR’s greatest driver has raged for decades, with names like Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jimmie Johnson dominating the conversation. But after an electrifying season that saw Kyle Larson dominate the Cup Series like never before, Hendrick Motorsports took a bold step—placing their star driver squarely in the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) debate. And they did it with style, by recreating one of motorsports’ most iconic moments: Lewis Hamilton’s shirtless, championship-winning photo from his record-tying seventh Formula 1 title.
After Larson’s dramatic victory at Phoenix Raceway—his third Cup Series championship in four years—Rick Hendrick himself orchestrated the tribute. The team booked a high-end studio in Charlotte, setting up the scene down to the smallest detail. A smoky backdrop, the Cup trophy gleaming under the lights, and Larson, stripped to the waist, his fire suit draped around his waist just like Hamilton’s in his legendary 2020 photo.
When Hendrick Motorsports dropped the photo on social media, the racing world exploded.
“Larson stepping into GOAT territory now?!? This is legendary,” tweeted former driver and analyst Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Even Formula 1’s official account got in on the action, retweeting the image with a side-by-side comparison of Larson and Hamilton, captioned: “Two icons. Two sports. One GOAT conversation.”
The reaction was as divided as it was passionate. Traditional NASCAR fans argued that Larson, despite his meteoric success, had more to prove before he could stand beside legends like Johnson, Earnhardt, and Petty. Others pointed to his versatility—dominating not just NASCAR, but dirt racing, sprint cars, and late models—as proof that he was something the sport had never seen before.
Jeff Gordon, now an executive at Hendrick Motorsports, weighed in on the growing debate.
“Kyle isn’t just winning—he’s redefining what it means to be a modern NASCAR champion,” Gordon said in a press conference. “When you look at guys like Lewis Hamilton, Michael Jordan, Serena Williams—athletes who transcend their sport—Kyle has the potential to be that for NASCAR.”
For his part, Larson remained humble about the comparison, though he admitted he was honored by the tribute.
“I grew up watching guys like Jimmie Johnson win everything in sight,” Larson said, smiling. “To even be mentioned in the same breath as those legends is surreal. But I’m just getting started.”
Meanwhile, Hamilton himself acknowledged the viral moment in an Instagram story, reposting the side-by-side image with the caption: “Much respect, Kyle. Keep making history.”
Whether or not Larson will ultimately cement his status as NASCAR’s GOAT remains to be seen. But with Hendrick Motorsports backing him, a dominant stretch of seasons under his belt, and now, an image that will live on in racing history, one thing is certain—Kyle Larson has officially entered the conversation.
