Larson Wins, Elliott and Harvick Clash in Playoff Cutoff at Bristol

Kyle Larson won the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race from Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night.

Larson had a strong car throughout the race, but lost the lead on a late restart to his teammate Chase Elliott.  Larson hung behind in third place while Elliott and Kevin Harvick fought for the lead over the final 50 laps.

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Harvick and Elliott made slight contact while they navigated lapped traffic, and the contact cut down the left-rear tire on Elliott’s Chevrolet.  After he pitted, Elliott stayed ahead of Harvick in the preferred line which allowed Larson to take the lead and get to victory lane.

Larson said he was able to get around Harvick after he used up his tires trying to get around Elliott.

“Harvick had to move around and use his tires up,” Larson said. “I got a big run and decided to pull the trigger and slide him and squeeze him a little bit.”

Following the race, Harvick and Elliott made contact coming to pit road and then the two exchanged words.

Harvick said he just tried to race Elliott hard for the lead and was angry with how Elliott decided to handle the situation.

“I just told him…it was kind a chicken-shit move that he did that at the end,” Harvick said.  “We’re racing for the freaking win at Bristol, we’re three-wide in the middle and he throws a temper tantrum.”

“I was just trying to get the lead and race him hard.  Then he pulls up in front of me and just sits there until I lose the lead.”

Elliott said he felt Harvick ran him up the track to force the contact, and Elliott was just trying to defend himself.

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“It’s something he does all the time,” Elliott said.  “He runs into your left side constantly at other tracks.  At some point you’ve got to draw the line.”

“I don’t care who he is or how long he’s been doing it, I’m going to stand up for myself and my team.  I just ran my line, and happy for Kyle; happy for Team Hendrick, wish I could have got our Hooters Chevrolet into victory lane.”

Unofficial results:

1. Kyle Larson

2. Kevin Harvick

3. William Byron

4. Ryan Blaney

5. Alex Bowman

6. Brad Keselowski

7. Martin Truex Jr.

8. Erik Jones

9. Denny Hamlin

10. Matt DiBenedetto

11. Joey Logano

12. Tyler Reddick

13. Chase Briscoe

14. Ross Chastain

15. Austin Dillon

16. Bubba Wallace

17. Ryan Preece

18. Aric Almirola

19. Kurt Busch

20. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

21. Kyle Busch

22. Daniel Suarez

23. Chris Buescher

24. Michael McDowell

25. Chase Elliott

26. Corey LaJoie

27. JJ Yeley

28. Cole Custer

29. Christopher Bell

30. Garrett Smithley

31. Josh Bilicki

32. David Starr

33. James Davison

34. Quin Houff

35. Anthony Alfredo

36. Justin Haley

37. BJ McLeod

38. Ryan Newman

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