Kyle Larson’s Elk Grove homecoming draws young racers and lifelong fans
Fans of all ages flocked Friday to Elk Grove to celebrate two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson, the hometown favorite and driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.
Super fan Lester Horner, 71, arrived at 8 a.m. dressed head to toe in Larson gear: a blue trucker hat, leather Hendrick Motorsports jacket, Larson T-shirt and a No. 5 flag in hand.
Horner said he was originally drawn to NASCAR, his favorite sport, because of Dale Earnhardt Sr. After Earnhardt’s death, he followed his son, Dale Jr. But when he discovered Larson was a local driver, he never looked back.
“We’ve never had anybody local (to Sacramento) be at this level of racing,” Horner said. “I started following him and supporting him. When (Earnhardt) junior retired, who became my number one guy? That’s right, that guy (Larson) became my number one guy. I’ve followed him and supported him through his ups and downs and it’s just been a joy.”
Larson has inspired not just longtime fans, but the next generation of racers who came out to see him in person.
Eight-year-old Sophia Smith of Clements, near Galt, showed off her midget kart as she waited to meet Larson. She’s been racing for just over a year, introduced to the sport by her dad.
“I like racing because anyone can do it at any age,” Smith said. “No matter how much you love motor sports, anyone can do it. …I look up to the NASCAR champions who have ever won, (like Larson). I’m trying to do that now that I know how to drive a car, and I’m trying to make this my whole career.”
Siblings Maycie and Cash Brooks, 13 and 11, came to meet Larson while representing the NASCAR Youth Series, a division of the United States Auto Club that Larson competed in as a kid.
Maycie said she hopes to go as far as she can in racing, looking up to both Larson and Antron Brown, a four-time NHRA Top Fuel champion.
“It’s really nice to see Kyle being at where he belongs, at home,” Cash said. “Just seeing him have a good time here, and just all the fans out here are amazing to him, and he’s amazing to all the fans.”
Cash added: “I’ve been following him ever since I was a little kid. I’ve seen him through all of his highs and lows through NASCAR and so just watching him, he’s by far one of my favorite race car drivers. It’s just his personality and the way he acts. He’s just a good guy on and off the racetrack.”
Bret Bartholomew, a local organizer, helped bring car groups like NASCAR Youth Series, Cars and Coffee and Revora Motorsports to the parade, showcasing an array of exotic sports cars. He also coordinated with Wide Open Walls to create a mural of Larson on Elk Grove Boulevard, across from Bob’s Club.
Bartholomew said “we really just want to celebrate Kyle and the hometown greatness.”
“If you make a Mount Rushmore for Elk Grove, he’s definitely on it,” Bartholomew said.
This story was originally published November 15, 2025 at 2:06 PM.
