Larson: I fly commercial so I can ‘rack up the miles’ – Nascar (blog)

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MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Never let it be said that Kyle Larson isn’t a man of the people, at least when it comes to flying.

One week after visiting Victory Lane at Auto Club Speedway, Larson arrived at Martinsville Speedway revealing that a significant portion of his air travel is done commercially. Though his celeb stature in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series could afford him a more luxurious lifestyle, Larson indicated he’s quite the spendthrift.

“Yeah, I fly commercial as much as I can and fly with the team,” Larson said Friday before opening practice. “That’s a lot of money to be private flying, especially to the West Coast. Yeah, I’m cheap with my money when it comes to flying. And, I like to rack up the miles so I can maybe get some free trips.”

Larson admits he does spring for first-class seating on occasion. His son, Owen, is now 2 years old and requires his own airline seat — another addition in cost. Even then, he’s maintained a frugal overall philosophy that has led to some ribbing from friends and fellow competitors, with Larson singling out Danica Patrick and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. as offenders.

“Obviously she’s a very wealthy person, but she doesn’t understand why I would purchase a coach ticket when coach is $120 versus first class being $500,” Larson said with a grin. “I’m going to save that money.”

Seven-time series champion Jimmie Johnson, scheduled for a press availability in the Martinsville media center after Larson, seemed amused with his fellow Chevrolet driver’s financial sense. But in a nod to Larson’s budding talent and the potential windfall from padding his win total, Johnson suggested he’d join the elite jet-setter ranks in the near future.

“Just for the record, though, his commercial flight days are about over,” Johnson said.