Kyle Larson pushed back hard on talk that money drives his career. He said he loves racing and plans to stay in NASCAR for a long time ahead of Sunday's Cup Series Championship race.Larson made it to the last playoff round after beating Christopher for the last spot at Martinsville Speedway last weekend. He will head to Phoenix with one previous win and the second highest average finish at the 1-mile oval.During an interview with Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass before the qualifying session for the 312-lap race published on Thursday, the No. 5 Chevy driver cleared the air on his retirement from NASCAR."I don't really know why everybody assumes that I've wanted to leave NASCAR," Larson said. "I feel like that's always been something that's bugged me throughout my whole career is that, you know, everybody just assumes I'm here for the money, and that's not the case at all. I would not be here if I did not want to be a NASCAR.""I love the sport. I love what it provides, sure, but I love what I'm doing. If I wanted to go race sprint cars full-time, I would have done that a long time ago."Earlier this week, the 33-year-old said that he will continue racing for at least eight more years, till he turns 40.Larson also added that he likes the balance with full-time NASCAR racing and running in 30 to 40 sprint car events each year. He shared that he tried to get back in NASCAR earlier this decade because he liked what he was doing."[I get to] compete in every big race in NASCAR and get to compete for a championship every year for the best team. So, why would I ever give that up?"Larson also addressed his 2020 exit when NASCAR suspended him after he used a racial slur during an iRacing broadcast in April 2020. His team, Chip Ganassi Racing, released him and sponsors cut ties. However, NASCAR reinstated Larson in October 2020 and Hendrick Motorsports signed him later that month. He returned to the Cup Seres in 2021 and won the championship that season.Kyle Larson looking to break 20 plus winless streak to claim second Cup championshipKyle Larson, who missed the Championship 4 last season, qualified for it this year. He won three Cup races. Last weekend, he beat Christopher Bell by seven points after a clean race. But he has not landed another victory in about 23 races. His last Cup win came at Kansas Speedway in May.Larson will compete against Hendrick teammate William Byron and Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe this Sunday. The race of the season is set to start at 3 pm ET on November 2.