Getty

NASCAR star Kyle Larson throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the Athletics’ game against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 14, 2026, in Sacramento, California.

Kyle Larson’s month has looked less like a normal NASCAR schedule and more like a full-blown sports media tour.

Over the past several weeks alone, the NASCAR superstar has thrown out a ceremonial first pitch at a Major League Baseball game, played in a PGA Tour Pro-Am, appeared courtside at a WNBA game, attended Amazon’s massive upfront presentation in New York City alongside Jeff Gordon, and continued making national media appearances ahead of his upcoming attempt at “The Double.”

And somehow, the busiest stretch of Larson’s month may still be ahead.

The 2021 Cup Series champion is preparing to once again attempt one of the most difficult feats in all of motorsports later this month — racing in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.

But while Larson’s on-track schedule has always been packed, his recent run of appearances outside NASCAR has started turning heads across the sports world.

Larson’s Sports World Tour Keeps Growing

GettyKyle Larson waves to the crowd before the Golden State Valkyries’ game against the Chicago Sky on May 13, 2026, in San Francisco.

Larson’s recent stretch of appearances has gone far beyond the normal NASCAR media circuit.

Earlier this week, the Hendrick Motorsports driver threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Athletics’ game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Sacramento. Days earlier, he participated in the Truist Championship Pro-Am event at Quail Hollow Country Club in North Carolina.

He also made an appearance at a Golden State Valkyries WNBA game in San Francisco, waving to fans from the court while continuing a month-long media tour that has quietly elevated his visibility far beyond NASCAR’s traditional audience.

And then came New York City.

Larson joined NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon at Amazon’s upfront presentation earlier this month as Prime Video continues ramping up promotion around its major NASCAR broadcast push.

The appearances all point to something bigger happening around Larson right now.

GettyKyle Larson and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon attend Amazon’s upfront presentation at Beacon Theatre on May 11, 2026, in New York City.

NASCAR’s Biggest Crossover Star?

Larson has long been viewed as one of the most talented drivers in motorsports, but this recent stretch has highlighted something else: his growing mainstream visibility.

That’s especially notable in a sport that has spent years searching for crossover stars capable of reaching audiences outside traditional racing circles.

Whether it’s baseball, golf, basketball, streaming platforms, or national advertising campaigns, Larson has increasingly become one of the faces most closely associated with NASCAR’s modern growth push.

And unlike many media tours that can feel forced, Larson’s recent appearances have felt surprisingly natural.

Part of that comes from his versatility as an athlete.

Part of it comes from timing.

And part of it comes from the attention that still surrounds Larson following last year’s Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 storyline.

Even after confirming he will not attempt “The Double” again this season, Larson remains one of the most talked-about crossover figures in motorsports.

Between national media appearances, crossover sports events, Prime Video promotion, and his continued presence across the sports world, Larson has quietly become one of the most visible NASCAR drivers the sport has had in years.

And judging by this month alone, he may only be getting started.