Kyle Larson’s reputation as NASCAR’s top wall rider has become racing legend. Fans and drivers alike are amazed by how close he gets to the wall—just inches away—at tracks like Homestead-Miami Speedway. This high-risk, high-reward style has helped Larson win races and earn a spot among NASCAR’s elite.
Now, two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch is sharing what makes Larson so special—and why most other drivers can’t do what he does.
Kyle Busch Explains Why Kyle Larson Is the Wall-Riding Master
“I would say he’s probably obviously one of the top talents right now in our space and in the dirt world space as well, too. He can get in anything any time and go fast,” Busch said on the “Door Bumper Clear” podcast.
Busch said Larson’s dirt racing background gives him a big edge.
“I feel like the dirt world and having that expertise and feeling comfortable crooked and being sideways and not having the grip has helped him a lot over the years,” he said. “Just being able to carry cars further than they were probably potentially worth.”
Even though Busch is a top driver himself, he said Larson’s wall-riding—also known as “ripping the fence”—takes a rare mix of skill, confidence, and split-second decision-making while going nearly 200 mph.
Another big factor? Larson’s schedule. While many Cup drivers race only on weekends, Larson races more than 100 times a year in all kinds of cars. That keeps his car control sharp and his instincts dialed in.
Busch doesn’t think dirt racing directly helps with NASCAR results.
“As far as making reps or making laps in a Truck race or an Xfinity race to set yourself up for a Cup race on Sunday? Zero,” he said in an interview.
Yet, he admits Larson’s constant seat time and dirt roots make a difference when it comes to wall-riding.
At Homestead-Miami, Larson’s ability to ride the wall has helped him dominate—leading the most laps and winning more stages than anyone else. And it’s not just about speed. It rattles other drivers, too. When they see Larson charging up the wall, they know he’s coming fast—and that pressure can lead to mistakes.
In the end, it’s Larson’s mix of talent, dirt experience, courage, and constant racing that make him the best at riding the fence. For him, the wall isn’t a limit—it’s the fastest path to victory lane.
