League: NASCAR Sport: Motorsports Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Kyle Larson named cover driver for NASCAR 26, fans express disappointment

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 19, 2026, 8:36 PM

Last updated Jun 19, 2026

Kyle Larson named cover driver for NASCAR 26, fans express disappointment

Summary

Kyle Larson has been announced as the cover driver for the upcoming 'NASCAR 26 The Game,' set for release in September 2026. The announcement, made during a live event in Coronado, drew significant backlash from fans who felt Kyle Busch should have received the honor, especially following Busch's death in May. Social media reactions included comments questioning the decision and expressing dissatisfaction with the choice. Larson has maintained a competitive position in the standings, sitting sixth in points despite being winless since the 2025 season. He remains focused on improving performance in upcoming races.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•NASCAR 26 is set to release in September 2026.
•Fans criticized the choice of Larson over Kyle Busch.
•Kyle Busch passed away on May 21, 2026, after health issues.
•Larson is currently sixth in points in the NASCAR Cup Series.
•He remains focused on improving despite a winless streak.

Latest Updates

8:36 PMYahoo Sports — “Should’ve Been Rowdy”: Fans React to Kyle Larson Being Named as the Cover Driver for NASCAR 26 Game

What they're saying

"
Defending Cup Series champion Kyle Larson was announced as the cover driver for the ‘NASCAR 26 The Game’, developed by iRacing. However, the fans weren’t pleased with the decision to put Larson as the cover driver and conveyed their discontent.
— Yahoo Sports

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