Kyle Larson shreds famous Martinsville Speedway hot dogs: ‘I think they’re disgusting’

Earlier this week, Kyle Larson made headlines when he blasted the movie ‘Talladega Nights‘ for having a negative impact on the sport. But another hot take might have slipped under the radar.

Larson was speaking on the Games with Names podcast (Julian Edelman‘s podcast) and he was asked about his favorite foods at the track. But, after naming a few joints that he liked outside of the actual tracks he visits routinely, Larson honed in on a negative stance.

He brought up Martinsville. And a fan favorite choice at the track.

“I would say for like track-specific food, like Martinsville is known for their hot dogs,” Kyle Larson said. “I think they’re disgusting. They’re like, I don’t know, they’re like, I don’t know if there’s like color dye in them, but they’re like red.”

That is certainly an opinion that some will share, though probably not the majority. Martinsville is famous for its hot dogs, and they have been written about extensively over the years.

At least some are in complete agreement with Larson over the Martinsville hot dogs, though. The Athletic’s insider, Jeff Gluck, chimed in.

“I disagreed with his Talladega Nights take, but I’m confused why this is controversial at all,” Gluck tweeted. “Those cancer sticks are a completely unnatural color. They stain the bun pink! Consume at your own risk.”

Martinsville actually changed hot dog suppliers in 2015 and nearly created an uproar because the offering had become such a staple. ESPN writer Ryan McGee wrote about it at the time, noting that for most the new hot dogs still stood up to the old ones.

In any case, Kyle Larson might face a tough question or two the next time the topic arises at Martinsville. He’s probably fine with that, given how authoritative his stance was and how quickly it came.

Hot dogs, Talladega Nights in the crosshairs

Nearly 20 years ago, Ricky Bobby and Jean Girard sprinted on foot to the finish line at Talladega Superspeedway after crashing on the final lap. Bobby’s best friend Cal Naughton Jr., who had crashed out along with the rest of the field, was named the official winner of the race. It was an entertaining end to Talladega Nights, and Kyle Larson was one of the many who enjoyed the film.

Larson, however, isn’t convinced that Talladega Nights had a positive impact on NASCAR. Larson explained why he believes the film “turned our sport into a joke” on the Games with Names podcast.

“I liked the movie. Think it did not do anything good for our sport. I think it turned our sport into a joke, unfortunately,” Larson said. “That’s gotta be one of the most popular racing movies. … But the rest of the world, I feel like that’s what they think of our sport now.”

On3’s Nick Geddes also contributed to this report.