"NASCAR's Larson and Bell: From Shared Beginnings to Championship Dreams"

Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell, both with dirt racing backgrounds, will compete for the NASCAR Cup championship at Phoenix Raceway, marking the first time two drivers with dirt racing backgrounds have competed for the title in the current playoff format. Both drivers began their NASCAR journey with Keith Kunz Motorsports, a renowned midget car racing team based in Indiana, through Toyota's development program. Larson's departure from the team prompted Toyota to reassess its development program and create a stepladder system. The success of Larson and Bell showcases the value of dirt racing in developing car control skills and opens doors for aspiring drivers.