Kyle Larson Praises Wife’s Turn in NASCAR Promo as Hendrick Locks Up Future
Kyle Larson is heading into the 2026 NASCAR season both uplifted by a playful promo appearance with his wife and firmly rooted at Hendrick Motorsports after a multi-year contract extension. The reigning Cup Series champion had high praise for Katelyn Sweet’s on-screen energy in the league’s season spot, and the team confirmed a long-term plan that keeps Larson and crew chief Cliff Daniels together for years to come.
Family moment steals the promo
In the league’s 2026 promotional video, Larson shares a memorable sequence with his wife, Katelyn Sweet, that blends spectacle and homegrown charm. The spot cuts between Larson doing doughnuts in his car and Sweet energetically shotgunning a can of Coca-Cola as Lynyrd Skynyrd’s "Free Bird" plays in the background. The piece, narrated by actor Scott Eastwood, also features an array of drivers in eye-catching cameos.
Larson said the shoot was a fun break from the regular grind and that working alongside a family member made the experience special. "Yeah, it was just fun to get to do something with a family member of mine, " he said, noting that he and Sweet share three children. He added that Sweet surprised him with how much she enjoyed the process and how committed she was to her role. "She did a great job with her performance, so it was fun and cool the way it turned out, " Larson said, who also mentioned filming a separate commercial with his kids the following week.
He acknowledged that the raw footage can be unpredictable, but praised the final edit. "You don’t really know how it’s going to turn out when you are doing it, but they pieced it together really good and I think it was a great way to promote the sport and promote the event, " he said.
Hendrick extension aims to end speculation
Off the track, Hendrick Motorsports formalized a long-term commitment that removes uncertainty about the No. 5 team’s future. A five-year contract extension binds Larson and crew chief Cliff Daniels to the organization, a deal the team framed as a natural move after a championship season.
Team leadership emphasized the partnership’s value not just in terms of wins but as a brand alignment. The organization’s owner praised the pair’s relentless pursuit of victory and said he wants both Larson and Daniels in place for the long haul. "I wanted to make sure we were going to have a long, long future together, " he said, adding that he hoped the two would eventually retire with the team. The sentiment underscored the club’s desire for stability amid an era of shifting sponsors and schemes.
Larson echoed the sense of belonging with the team’s colors and identity, noting the connection he feels to the blue-and-white No. 5 car. He said that alignment makes it easier for fans and partners to relate to the driver-team package and that he feels part of the family.
Daytona and the road ahead
The season opens Sunday at Daytona International Speedway, where Larson will line up seventh on the grid while a veteran rival takes pole for the Daytona 500. As the reigning champion, Larson carries both the expectations and momentum that come with last season’s title clinch in Phoenix over Denny Hamlin.
With a wide roster of drivers featured in the promo and the Hendrick extension in place, Larson enters the year with both public attention and contractual certainty. Whether the spotlight comes from a staged promo or the racetrack itself, Larson and his team are positioned to be central figures in the championship conversation all season long.
