NASCAR Champion Kyle Larson Donates $500,000 in Prize Money and 5 Annual Racing Scholarships to Philadelphia’s Urban Youth Racing School
In a heartwarming act of generosity, 2025 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson has donated $500,000 from his championship prize earnings to the Urban Youth Racing School (UYRS) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — along with a commitment to fund five full racing scholarships per year, complete with simulator training and professional driving classes for underrepresented minority youth.
The announcement was made today at UYRS’s North Philadelphia facility, where Larson — still wearing his championship ring from last weekend’s dramatic Phoenix victory — surprised students with the news alongside school founder Anthony Martin.
“This isn’t just about racing,” Larson told the cheering crowd of young drivers. “It’s about giving kids who look like the future of this sport a real shot. I’ve been blessed beyond measure this year, and it’s time to pay it forward — big time.”
A Game-Changing Gift for Diversity in Motorsports
The $500,000 donation — drawn directly from Larson’s 2025 championship purse — will fund:
- Five annual scholarships covering tuition, gear, travel, and mentorship.
- State-of-the-art simulator upgrades for hands-on training.
- Expanded driving classes with professional instructors, including former NASCAR and IndyCar drivers.
- Outreach programs to recruit talent from underserved communities across the Northeast.
Since partnering with UYRS in 2021 through the Kyle Larson Foundation, the 33-year-old Elk Grove, California native has quietly supported the school with over $300,000 in prior contributions. This latest gift, however, marks the single largest donation in UYRS history.
“This changes everything,” said Anthony Martin, UYRS founder and a former racer himself. “Kyle isn’t just writing a check — he’s building a pipeline. These kids now have a clear path from go-karts to potential NASCAR careers.”
From Controversy to Champion — and Now, Changemaker
Larson’s journey to this moment has been one of redemption and resilience. After a controversial suspension in 2020, he returned stronger, winning the 2021 Cup Series title and now adding a second in 2025. His Drive for 5 initiative — pledging $5 per lap completed and $5,000 per top-5 finish — has raised over $1.2 million for children’s causes since inception.
But his bond with UYRS runs deeper. In 2024, Larson personally delivered his championship trophy to the school, letting students hold it and take photos. This year, he went further — auctioning his Team Chevy victory visor from the Charlotte Roval win, raising an additional $78,000 for the program.
A Personal Mission: “I Want My Kids to See This”
Standing beside his wife Katelyn and children Owen and Audrey, Larson shared why UYRS hits close to home:
“I grew up racing dirt tracks in California with not much money. I know what it’s like to need a break. These kids? They’ve got the talent. They just need the tools. I want Owen and Audrey to grow up knowing that winning isn’t just about trophies — it’s about lifting others up.”
One scholarship recipient, 15-year-old Jaden Carter from West Philly, summed it up: “Kyle Larson just made my dream real. I’m going to race — and I’m going to win — for kids like me.”
Looking Ahead: A Legacy Beyond the Track
With Hendrick Motorsports already confirming Larson’s long-term future, the two-time champion shows no signs of slowing down — on or off the track. Rumors swirl of a potential 2026 Indianapolis 500 return, but today, his focus was clear:
“The track gave me everything. Now it’s my job to give back.”
The Kyle Larson Foundation encourages fans to support UYRS by visiting kylelarsonfoundation.org or following @KyleLarsonRacin on X for upcoming fundraisers, including the annual KL Foundation Golf Classic in Charlotte.
As the checkered flag waves on the 2025 season, Kyle Larson isn’t just a champion — he’s a catalyst for change.
