Motorsports

Unstoppable in Kansas, Kyle Larson cruises to a dominant NASCAR Cup win

Nothing was going to deny Kyle Larson the NASCAR Cup win at Kansas on Sunday. After starting from pole position, he won both stages, collected the fastest lap, and claimed an impressive win, leading 221 of 267 laps in the process. And to top it all off, Larson now leaves the weekend in control of […]

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Nothing was going to deny Kyle Larson the NASCAR Cup win at Kansas on Sunday. After starting from pole position, he won both stages, collected the fastest lap, and claimed an impressive win, leading 221 of 267 laps in the process. And to top it all off, Larson now leaves the weekend in control of the regular season championship.

“I was trying really hard to pace myself because I believe that was our longest run of the day,” said Larson, who had to carefully manage his tires in the closing laps. “I’ve been struggling a little bit at the end of the runs. Chase [Elliott] was really good so I felt like I just needed to try and be better on my end. I don’t know if it was paying off at the end. 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 really bad. I was afraid a right rear or something would let go. But yeah, great car and great execution today from our team.”

Larson on Kansas victory: ‘Glad to not win by an inch this time’

Larson on Kansas victory: 'Glad to not win by an inch this time'<span class="copyright">Jamie Squire / Getty Images</span>

Larson on Kansas victory: ‘Glad to not win by an inch this time’Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

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Things got a bit dicey for Larson in the final stage after losing the lead on pit road to Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott. As things got back underway, Brad Keselowski moved into second place as he tried to dig himself out of a horrendous points hole. He was closing in on Elliott for the race lead when disaster struck, blowing a tire and crashing out of the race.

The pit stop sequence that followed saw Elliott lose the lead after a slow stop with Bell inheriting the top spot. Denny Hamlin, who was struggling with clutch issues, stalled trying to leave his box and fell out of the race.

Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaChris Graythen – Getty Images

Chris Graythen – Getty Images

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Fresh off his Texas victory, Logano made a big move for the race lead on the ensuing restart, but his charge was halted by an incident in the back. Cody Ware spun after contact, collecting Ty Dillon and Daniel Suarez.

Kyle Busch was the next driver to find trouble, spinning out after being on the wrong end of a four-wide situation down the backstretch. The final caution of the race followed soon after with Justin Haley and Erik Jones coming together at the exit of Turn 2, collecting Bubba Wallace and Austin Dillon as well.

Even with the cautions, the final run proved to be the longest of the day. Larson remained firmly in command, but tire concerns were ever-present as Carson Hocevar (who won Saturday’s Truck race) was forced to pit with a flat. Larson slowed quite a bit in the final two laps, allowing Bell and Blaney to close rapidly as he managed the tire wear all the way to the checkered flag.

Before the late-race flurry of yellows, it was surprisingly green through the first two stages.

Photos from Kansas – Race

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletJamie Squire / Getty Images

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing ChevroletChris Graythen – Getty Images

Chris Graythen – Getty Images

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletJamie Squire / Getty Images

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Todd Gilliland, Front Row Motorsports Ford, Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Chevrolet

Todd Gilliland, Front Row Motorsports Ford, Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse ChevroletJamie Squire / Getty Images

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletJamie Squire / Getty Images

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

General view

General viewChris Graythen – Getty Images

Chris Graythen – Getty Images

Erik Jones, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota

Erik Jones, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB ToyotaJamie Squire / Getty Images

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletJamie Squire / Getty Images

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletJamie Squire / Getty Images

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford

Ryan Blaney, Team Penske FordJamie Squire / Getty Images

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Corey Heim, Toyota, William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Corey Heim, Toyota, William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletChris Graythen – Getty Images

Chris Graythen – Getty Images

Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletJamie Squire / Getty Images

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, damaged tire

William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, damaged tireChris Graythen – Getty Images

Chris Graythen – Getty Images

William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, damaged tire

William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, damaged tireChris Graythen – Getty Images

Chris Graythen – Getty Images

Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaChris Graythen – Getty Images

Chris Graythen – Getty Images

Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletChris Graythen – Getty Images

Chris Graythen – Getty Images

General view

General viewJamie Squire / Getty Images

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletJamie Squire / Getty Images

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Erik Jones, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota

Erik Jones, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB ToyotaJamie Squire / Getty Images

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

General view

General viewJamie Squire / Getty Images

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaJamie Squire / Getty Images

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Zane Smith, Front Row Motorsports Ford

Zane Smith, Front Row Motorsports FordJamie Squire / Getty Images

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford

Joey Logano, Team Penske FordJamie Squire / Getty Images

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletJamie Squire / Getty Images

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletJamie Squire / Getty Images

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Brad Keselowski, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford

Brad Keselowski, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing FordJamie Squire / Getty Images

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford, Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Ryan Blaney, Team Penske Ford, Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletChris Graythen – Getty Images

Chris Graythen – Getty Images

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletChris Graythen – Getty Images

Chris Graythen – Getty Images

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletJamie Squire / Getty Images

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletJamie Squire / Getty Images

Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletChris Graythen – Getty Images

Chris Graythen – Getty Images

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletChris Graythen – Getty Images

Chris Graythen – Getty Images

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletChris Graythen – Getty Images

Chris Graythen – Getty Images

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports ChevroletChris Graythen – Getty Images

Chris Graythen – Getty Images

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Read Also:

With a middle finger out the window, Carson Hocevar wins Kansas Truck race

Layne Riggs disqualified from Kansas Truck race, loses runner-up finish

Kyle Larson supports “trying something new” with NASCAR Cup car

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