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Kyle Larson may well be one of NASCAR‘s most popular drivers, but he sure isn’t doing much to endear himself to fans of late. The 33-year-old set the internet ablaze this week when he called out one of the sport’s most longstanding and beloved traditions.
It marks the second time in recent history that Larson took aim at NASCAR. He previously threw the sport under the bus after winning a dirt track race in his High Limit Racing sprint car series. Additionally, Larson angered some fans when he stated that the “Talladega Nights” movie turned the sport into a joke.
Now, Larson is shifting his focus to one of the off-track elements that fans love.
Kyle Larson Says That Martinsville Hot Dogs Are Gross, Angering NASCAR Fans
Martinsville Speedway in rural Virginia is the oldest track currently on the NASCAR Cup Series calendar. The series has been racing at Martinsville since 1949.
In addition to great racing, Martinsville also serves up a beloved delicacy: the Martinsville hot dog. The famed dog can be found either at the original stand in the infield or behind the bleachers.
The Jesse Jones’ Southern Style red hot dog has a unique look to it and comes dressed in chili, slaw, onions and mustard, although you can hold off if you want. Crew members regularly keep tally of who eats the most hot dogs during a race weekend, and when the track changed its hot dog provider in 2004, it nearly started World War III.
But Larson says he isn’t a fan!
In an interview with former New England Patriots star Julian Edelman on the “Games With Names” show, Larson told Edelman that he’s grossed out by the famed hot dog.
“Martinsville is known for their hot dogs. I think they’re disgusting,” Larson said. “I don’t know if they have color dye in them, but they’re like red.”
Of course, that take didn’t go over well with fans.
“Larson is on a run of terrible takes lately,” one fan wrote. “Red hotdogs (Jesse Jones specifically) are the only hotdogs worth eating.”
“Just an unlikable guy on one of the most unlikable teams in NASCAR,” said another.
But here’s the thing…
Kyle Larson Is Right!
As a longtime NASCAR fan, it shamefully took me until a couple of years ago to make my first pilgrimage to Martinsville. The track itself is awesome. It sits in the middle of nowhere on what looks like it could be someone’s old farmland, and the concessions were shockingly affordable. I cannot recommend making the trip enough.
But the one thing I was most excited for was the Martinsville hot dog. I had seen TV broadcasts talk up these dogs for years, and as a bit of a hot dog connoisseur, I had to try it for myself.
Unfortunately, the hot dog was just kind of…bad. The red coloring is odd, but doesn’t bother me, given what goes into a normal hot dog. But the bun had no structure, the hot dog didn’t have much snap to it, and the chili on top of it didn’t really have any depth of flavor or texture.
It just isn’t a good hot dog! I wanted to so badly to like it. But I’m not going to lie to you. So if you ever get to Martinsville, be sure to try it for yourself. However, if you walk away disappointed, just know that Kyle Larson and I told you so.