When it comes to the best sports movies of all time, Talladega Nights isn’t necessarily in the realm of Hoosiers or Bull Durham. But there’s no doubt that it is one of the funniest sports movies of all time and a vintage Will Ferrell comedy from the prime years of his career. As for its impact on NASCAR… that’s where Kyle Larson takes issue.
The former NASCAR Cup series champion appeared on the Games with Names podcast where he discussed the greatest racing movies of all time. Many racing fans love Days of Thunder for its more realistic approach to the sport. And the most recent F1 movie was a hit with audiences, becoming Brad Pitt’s biggest box office success.
While Larson says he liked Talladega Nights starring Will Ferrell, he doesn’t think it was a net positive for NASCAR.
“I like the movie,” Larson said. “I think it did not do anything good for our sport. I think it turned our sport into like a joke, unfortunately. That’s got to be one of the most popular racing movies… But I feel like it just, the rest of the world, like, that’s what they think about our sport now.”
It’s surprising to hear one of NASCAR’s top drivers admit a bit of regret when it comes to arguably the most well-known pop culture link to their sport. When Talladega Nights debuted in 2006, NASCAR and Ferrell were both at their peak. It debuted at #1 at the box office and was popular with both critics and moviegoers.
But Larson isn’t alone in his thoughts on what the movie did (or didn’t do) for NASCAR. Fellow top driver and Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron agreed with Larson’s take adding, “Should not be the first thing people think of.”
100%. Should not be the first thing people think of https://t.co/0RAE8bjQcF
— William Byron (@WilliamByron) August 6, 2025
This reaction is admittedly a bit strange. Talladega Nights is a comedy. Did anyone working in local news think that Anchorman made a joke of the media industry? What about Wedding Crashers and the banquet industry?
Compare this reaction to how the golf world fully embraced Adam Sandler and Happy Gilmore 2 this year, which showed top stars like Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Will Zalatoris in a great and very funny light and it’s even more bizarre.
NASCAR is currently at a crossroads with a ton of issues to figure out throughout the sport. And if anything, current day NASCAR stars have faced criticism for not exactly being open and engaging as the stars of the past once were. Expressing concern over Talladega Nights of all things isn’t going to help matters in the personality department. Next are we going to hear NASCAR drivers complain about Cars because it makes fans think that their cars can talk?
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