Larson captures third win in last eight races at Kansas – Speedway Digest

At a track once known for Toyota dominance, it was the Kyle Larson show Sunday afternoon at Kansas Speedway. Larson, in his No. 5 Chevrolet, led 221 of 267 laps in the Advent Health 400 at Kansas, making it his third win of the season and his third win in eight races at Kansas. 

“I was trying hard to pace myself because I believe that was our longest run of the day. I’d been struggling a little bit at the end of the runs. (No. 9 Chase Elliott) was really good, so I just felt like I needed to try to be better on my end.” 

Larson started on pole in today’s race as well as swept both stages on laps 80 and 165, respectively. Although on paper it was a dominating performance, he was challenged by Elliott, No. 20 Christopher Bell, and No. 12 Ryan Blaney. 

Larson also had to manage tire wear, which was a storyline all weekend. 

“I don’t know if it was paying off or not at the end,” Larson said on managing his tires. “I was still struggling. I don’t know if the right front was starting to wear a lot or what, but I was starting to lose a lot of grip, and then I was vibrating badly, so I was afraid the right rear or something would let go.”

Instead of 0.001 seconds like last year’s race, Larson won by a comfortable seven-tenths of a second this go around. He mentions, “Glad to not win by an inch right here this time and a little bit safer gap. But thanks again to the team. Congrats to all Hendrick Motorsports, the engine shop, and everybody there. It’s a cool win here in Kansas, and now we’ll try to execute two good weeks there in Indy.”

Larson will be at Indianapolis this week and all of next week to practice his Arrow McLaren Chevrolet IndyCar in preparation for the 2025 Indianapolis 500. 

Next week, the NASCAR Cup Series will compete in the All-Star race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. That race will be carried live at 8 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.