Kurt Busch Wins at Kansas for First Victory with Michael Jordan

Kurt Busch won the AdventHealth 400 from Kansas Speedway on Sunday afternoon to pick up his first win with 23XI Racing.

Busch led a race-high 116 laps and won the second stage of the race. Busch has struggled early in the season, but was finally able to put a strong race together in his Jumpman-sponsored Toyota Camry.

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Busch said his team has been working to improve from the early-season struggles.

“It’s all about teamwork,” Busch said.  “This is 23XI, this is our first win for the 45 car and with Jordan brand on the hood. I felt like I had to play like the goat, race like the goat, and I had to beat the Kyles.”

Busch was part of a trio that fought for the lead over the final run, with Kyle Larson and brother Kyle Busch fighting for the lead.

Busch said once he got past his brother, he knew he’d be able to chase down Larson.

“If I could get one Kyle, I could get both. It’s like the Kyle and Kyle Show.”

“I’ve been with a lot of teams and a lot of manufacturers. It’s the most gratifying to work from the ground up with a new car number.”

Larson had a strong car throughout the day, but said he knew he’d be able to hold off anyone other than Kurt Busch.

“It was hard to hold off Kyle, and I knew when Kurt got by him it was going to be hard to hold him off. I did my best, but came up one spot short. That was fun racing.”

Unofficial results:

1. Kurt Busch

2. Kyle Larson

3. Kyle Busch

4. Denny Hamlin

5. Christopher Bell

6. Martin Truex Jr.

7. Ross Chastain

8. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

9. Alex Bowman

10. Bubba Wallace

11. Austin Cindric

12. Ryan Blaney

13. Austin Dillon

14. Brad Keselowski

15. Kevin Harvick

16. William Byron

17. Joey Logano

18. Noah Gragson

19. Corey LaJoie

20. Ty Dillon

21. Harrison Burton

22. Cole Custer

23. Michael McDowell

24. Chase Briscoe

25. Todd Gilliland

26. Aric Almirola

27. Chris Buescher

28. Josh Bilicki

29. Chase Elliott

30. Tyler Reddick

31. JJ Yeley

32. Erik Jones

33. Daniel Suarez

34. Cody Ware

35. Justin Haley

36. BJ McLeod

 

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Larson Picks Up First Win of the Season in California

Kyle Larson won the Wise Power 400 from Auto Club Speedway on Sunday afternoon to pick up his first win of the season.

Larson started from the back on Sunday due to unapproved adjustments prior to the race, and he worked his way to the front as the race went on. 

Tyler Reddick was dominant in the first half of the race, but a flat tire and contact with William Byron ended his day and allowed Larson to get control.

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Larson said problems for some of the faster drivers allowed him to get to the front.

“There were definitely some guys that were quicker than us, but they had their misfortunes,” Larson said.  “Just kept our heads in it all day.”

Larson said he struggled with his car’s handling during practice, but that his team worked hard on making the right adjustments overnight.

“Hard work all weekend there,” Larson said.  “Didn’t feel great in practice yesterday; [Crew Chief] Cliff Daniels and everybody made some good adjustments overnight and the car handled a lot better.”

Reddick’s teammate Austin Dillon ran in the top 15 for most of the day on Sunday, but quick pit stops allowed him to get track position as multiple cautions flew late in the race.

Dillon said his team kept his car in contention.

“Those guys were amazing, they kept us in the race,” Dillon said.  “We were really struggling at the beginning; kept adjusting on it and the cleaner air we got, the better we got.”

Unofficial results:

1. Kyle Larson

2. Austin Dillon

3. Erik Jones

4. Daniel Suarez

5. Joey Logano

6. Aric Almirola

7. Kevin Harvick

8. Kurt Busch

9. Daniel Hemric

10. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

11. Cole Custer

12. Austin Cindric

13. Martin Truex Jr.

14. Kyle Busch

15. Denny Hamlin

16. Chase Briscoe

17. Ty Dillon

18. Ryan Blaney

19. Bubba Wallace

20. Todd Gilliland

21. Garrett Smithley

22. BJ McLeod

23. Justin Haley

24. Tyler Reddick

25. Alex Bowman

26. Chase Elliott

27. Brad Keselowski

28. Corey LaJoie

29. Ross Chastain

30. Josh Bilicki

31. Michael McDowell

32. Cody Ware

33. Harrison Burton

34. William Byron

35. Chris Buescher

36. Christopher Bell

James Gilbert/Getty Images

Larson Wins at Phoenix, Caps Off Dominant Year with Championship

Kyle Larson won the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race from Phoenix Raceway on Sunday afternoon to pick up his 10th victory of the season and win his first NASCAR Cup Series Championship.

Larson was dominant all season and ran up front for most of the race at Phoenix.  Throughout the race, Larson and his teammate Chase Elliott seemed to have the strongest short-run cars, and the race came down to a late restart with just over 20 laps to go.

Larson pitted under the final caution as the fourth of the championship drivers, but his pit crew got him off pit road first and he was able to control the final restart from the lead.

On the final restart, Larson pulled out to the lead and held off a challenge from Martin Truex Jr.  Larson was able to hold off the other championship drivers and picked up his first NASCAR championship.

Larson said his team made the difference on the final pit stop.

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

“Without my pit crew on that last stop, we would not be standing here,” Larson said.  “They’re the true winners of this race; they’re the true champions.  I’m blessed to be a part of this group.”

Larson missed most of the 2020 season after uttering a racial slur during an iRacing event, and teamed up with Hendrick Motorsports for the first time this year.

Larson said during his time away from the sport last year, he wasn’t sure if he would ever drive a Cup Series car again.

“I didn’t even think I’d be racing a Cup car a year and half ago, and to win a championship is crazy,” Larson said.  “Thank you so much to Rick Hendrick…and every single person at Hendrick Motorsports, this win is for all of us.”

“This event was crazy and this format’s wild.  I’m glad we were able to get it done.”

Truex challenged Larson on the restart for the win, but could not hang with Larson over the final 20 laps.

Regardless of how fast he was the run before, Truex said the clean air ultimately won out at the end of the race.

“Clean air seemed to be a good bit of an advantage there; whoever got out front was good for 20, 30, 40 laps, and then the long-run cars would start coming around,” Truex said.  “Ultimately we needed to beat him off pit road.”

“We win and lose as a team, and I’m really proud of our efforts this year.  [Larson] had a hell of a season and congratulations to them.  Second sucks; I hate it.”

Unofficial results:

1. Kyle Larson

2. Martin Truex Jr.

3. Denny Hamlin

4. Ryan Blaney

5. Chase Elliott

6. Aric Almirola

7. Kyle Busch

8. Kevin Harvick

9. Christopher Bell

10. Brad Keselowski

11. Joey Logano

12. Matt DiBenedetto

13. Cole Custer

14. Ross Chastain

15. Austin Dillon

16. Kurt Busch

17. William Byron

18. Alex Bowman

19. Tyler Reddick

20. Ryan Preece

21. Daniel Suarez

22. Erik Jones

23. Ryan Newman

24. Michael McDowell

25. Chris Buescher

26. Justin Haley

27. BJ McLeod

28. Cody Ware

29. Joey Gase

30. Josh Bilicki

31. Garrett Smithley

32. Corey LaJoie

33. David Starr

34. Anthony Alfredo

35. Chase Briscoe

36. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

37. Quin Houff

38. Timmy Hill

39. Bubba Wallace

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Larson Continues Dominance with Kansas Victory

Kyle Larson won the Hollywood Casino 400 from Kansas Speedway on Sunday afternoon to pick up his ninth victory of the season and his third in a row.

Larson continued his dominance on the Cup Series field on Sunday, and led a race-high 130 laps after starting from the pole.

Larson had to hold off his teammates over the final stage, with Chase Elliott and William Byron threatening for the lead throughout the last half of the race.

Larson said he thought Byron and Elliott had faster cars, but that he was able to take advantage of close racing on the final restart to get to a lead no one was able to overcome.

Meg Oliphant/Getty Images

“Had a couple good restarts there and it kind of worked out for me,” Larson said.  “[Kevin Harvick] got to [Elliott’s] inside at the flag stand and kind of choked that lane up and got me clear to the lead.”

The victory comes on the 17th anniversary of a plane crash that took the lives of 10 Hendrick Motorsports team members and family members, including Rick Hendrick’s son.

Larson said it’s special to get a victory on the anniversary of the accident in a paint scheme reminiscent of Ricky Hendrick.

“I want to dedicate this win to Rick and Linda [Hendrick],” Larson said.  “I didn’t ever get to meet Ricky or any of the other men and women who lost their lives that day, but I felt the importance of this race.”

Elliott had a fast car in the closing laps, and began to cut into Larson’s lead until he made contact with the wall.

Elliott had to settle for second, and said the damage to his car slowed him down.

“I didn’t really have a choice; once I hit it, it hurt it pretty bad,” Elliott said.  “Feel like we had something for Kyle there, just got the wall there off of two.”

Unofficial results:

1. Kyle Larson

2. Chase Elliott

3. Kevin Harvick

4. Kurt Busch

5. Denny Hamlin

6. William Byron

7. Martin Truex Jr.

8. Christopher Bell

9. Joey Logano

10. Austin Dillon

11. Alex Bowman

12. Chris Buescher

13. Ross Chastain

14. Bubba Wallace

15. Daniel Suarez

16. Michael McDowell

17. Brad Keselowski

18. Cole Custer

19. Chase Briscoe

20. Parker Kligerman

21. Ryan Preece

22. Tyler Reddick

23. Matt DiBenedetto

24. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

25. Corey LaJoie

26. Aric Almirola

27. Ryan Newman

28. Kyle Busch

29. Erik Jones

30. BJ McLeod

31. Cody Ware

32. Joey Gase

33. Josh Bilicki

34. David Starr

35. Quin Houff

36. Ryan Ellis

37. Ryan Blaney

38. Anthony Alfredo

39. Justin Haley

40. Chad Finchum

Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Larson Dominates in Texas, Clinches Spot for Championship Finale

Kyle Larson won the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500 on Sunday afternoon at Texas Motor Speedway to lock himself into the Championship Round of the Playoffs.

Larson was dominant on Sunday, and led a race-high 256 laps after starting from the pole.

In his first race back at Texas after a dominant All-Star Race victory earlier in the summer, Larson said this was one of the best cars he’s ever had using NASCAR’s 550 HP package.

Sean Gardner/Getty Images

“I knew we’d have a good shot to win today, our car was amazing,” Larson said.  “That was probably the best 550-package intermediate car we’ve had all year.”

While dominant throughout the race, Larson had to hold onto the lead over numerous restarts in the race’s final 50 laps.  Brad Keselowski, Tyler Reddick and William Byron all challenged for the lead over the final restarts, but Larson was able to hold off all challengers on his way to victory lane.

Larson said the pushes from those restarting behind him helped him hold onto the lead restart after restart.

“I really tried to stay patient on the throttle and keep them to my back bumper,” Larson said.  “Thankfully I was able to just barely clear them every time into 1 and not have to worry about having to fight off of 2.”

Larson will now have three weeks to prepare for the Championship Round at Phoenix, and he said his team can put more resources towards their car to fight for a Cup Series title.

“I definitely think we can shift a little more to our Phoenix car,” Larson said.  “I think we should have a good shot; our team’s been so strong all year long, might as well close it out now.”

Byron finished second to his teammate on Sunday and was the highest-finishing non-Playoff driver; he was also one of the few drivers who could hang with Larson throughout most of the race.

Byron said he and his team will continue to fight for wins even after they were eliminated from Playoff contention.

“This week we had a pretty good run and had a shot at a win,” Byron said.  “We just never quite got control.  I think [Larson] was definitely better than us the first stage, and then I was right there with him the rest of the time.”

“We’re here to stay. We’ve got a got a good…young team, myself included.  I think we’re building something there for years to come.”

Unofficial results:

1. Kyle Larson

2. William Byron

3. Christopher Bell

4. Brad Keselowski

5. Kevin Harvick

6. Ryan Blaney

7. Chase Elliott

8. Kyle Busch

9. Tyler Reddick

10. Daniel Suarez

11. Denny Hamlin

12. Erik Jones

13. Matt DiBenedetto

14. Austin Dillon

15. Chase Briscoe

16. Kurt Busch

17. Michael McDowell

18. Aric Almirola

19. Cole Custer

20. Corey LaJoie

21. Chris Buescher

22. BJ McLeod

23. David Starr

24. Garrett Smithley

25. Martin Truex Jr.

26. Josh Bilicki

27. Timmy Hill

28. Ross Chastain

29. Anthony Alfredo

30. Joey Logano

31. Quin Houff

32. Bubba Wallace

33. Alex Bowman

34. Ricky Stenhouse

35. Ryan Newman

36. Ryan Preece

37. Justin Haley

38. Cody Ware

39. Joey Gase

Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Larson Wins Amid Playoff Drama at the Roval

Kyle Larson won the Bank of America Roval 400 from the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course in a wild Playoff cutoff race on Sunday afternoon.

Larson had to overcome a battery and alternator issue early in the race, and it seemed like he may even miss the cutoff for the next round of the Playoffs.  After getting the issues fixed, Larson was able to work his way back up through the field and he was at the front late in the race.

On the final restart, Larson was able to get around Denny Hamlin to get to the lead, and held off Tyler Reddick and William Byron over the final run to pick up his seventh victory of the season.

Larson said he was surprised to be standing in victory lane following his early battery issues that forced the team to go under the hood and replace the alternator belt.

Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

“It wasn’t looking too good, thankfully everybody on our 5 car did a great job of staying calm,” Larson said.  “I knew I was going to have some sketchy moments; just had to pick my way through traffic and stay calm.”

Byron came into the race in a must-win situation, and he was almost able to pull off the upset. 

After racing hard with Larson and Reddick over the final run, he spun out on the final lap, which relegated him to an 11th-place finish and knocked him out of the Playoffs.

Byron said he was just pushing too hard at the end with everything on the line.

“Everything was looking like it was definitely going to be a good day…looking like we were going to have a shot to win,” Byron said.  “I was just too mad there at the end and made a mistake.”

The Playoff cutoff line was chaotic halfway through the race after a handful of drivers had problems early in the race. 

Kevin Harvick got into Chase Elliott and sent him in the wall, heavily damaging the rear of Elliott’s car. The contact seemed to be payback for an incident last month at Bristol, when Elliott held up Harvick and cost Harvick a victory.

Elliott was able to recover from the incident and finished the race without a rear-bumper cover.  Headed into Turn 1, Harvick locked up his tires with Elliott behind him.  Harvick slammed into the wall, ending his Playoff hopes.

Harvick said the incident was a lesson that Elliott needed to learn.

“I felt like I needed to go get a couple spots back that I lost and I got the left-front locked up and couldn’t get it to turn,” Harvick said.  “Sometimes real life teaches you good lessons.”

Elliott said he isn’t worried about more retaliation from Harvick with four races remaining in the season.

“For us, we’re just eyes forward and just excited to be moving on,” Elliott said.  “[Harvick’s] certainly not changing…just want to wish them a merry offseason and a happy Christmas.”

Byron, Harvick, Alex Bowman and Christopher Bell were the four drivers eliminated following this round of the Playoffs.  The remaining eight drivers will begin to fight for a spot in the Final Four next Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway.

Unofficial results:

1. Kyle Larson

2. Tyler Reddick

3. Chris Buescher

4. Kyle Busch

5. Denny Hamlin

6. Matt DiBenedetto

7. Joey Logano

8. Christopher Bell

9. Ryan Blaney

10. Alex Bowman

11. William Byron

12. Chase Elliott

13. Daniel Suarez

14. Bubba Wallace

15. Austin Dillon

16. Michael McDowell

17. Erik Jones

18. Cole Custer

19. Ryan Preece

20. Brad Keselowski

21. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

22. Chase Briscoe

23. Ross Chastain

24. Aric Almirola

25. Kurt Busch

26. Anthony Alfredo

27. Joey Hand

28. Josh Bilicki

29. Martin Truex Jr.

30. Quin Houff

31. Scott Heckert

32. Timmy Hill

33. Kevin Harvick

34. Garrett Smithley

35. Corey LaJoie

36. Cody Ware

37. Justin Haley

38. AJ Allmendinger

39. Ryan Newman

Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

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.

Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

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.

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

“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

Logan Riely/Getty Images

Hamlin Breaks Winless Streak at Darlington in Playoff Opener

 Originally written for CLNS Media.

Denny Hamlin won the Cook Out Southern 500 from Darlington Raceway on Sunday night to pick up his first victory of the season.

Hamlin came into the opening race of NASCAR’s Playoffs without a win on the season, but finished second in the regular season standings.  Hamlin ran up front for most of the evening, but he was challenged by Kyle Larson throughout the second and third stages.

Hamlin was able to use pit strategy and a well-timed caution flag to take the lead in the third stage and regain control of the race.  Over the final run, Hamlin had to hold off challenges from Larson and Ross Chastain.

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Hamlin said he was glad to return to victory lane at his favorite racetrack.

“I love this racetrack,” Hamlin said.  “Luckily the caution came when it did and the strategy worked out great with the team.”

Hamlin said the finish between he and Larson summed up their regular-season battle for the regular season points lead.

“It’s been kind of back-and-forth [with] me and him most of the year, he’s just been a little bit faster on these types of racetracks,” Hamlin said.  “It was a matter of time; we can’t just keep leading inside 10 laps to go every week and not get a win.”

Larson tried his best to get by Hamlin on the final lap and drove his car deep into the corner.  He was able to get to Hamlin’s bumper, but slammed the wall and couldn’t complete the pass coming out of Turn 4.

Larson said his best chance was a “video game” move coming to the checkered flag.

“We got to the white flag and I kind of thought that I hadn’t been able to gain on him, might as well try something,” Larson said.  “Honestly got to his bumper too quick.  I was hoping he would run that diamond to try and be safe and I could squirt to his outside.”

“It’s good to get a good start, I think everybody’s nervous getting ready for the final ten.  Good to get a good first weekend and build some momentum and some confidence within the team.”

Unofficial results:

1. Denny Hamlin

2. Kyle Larson

3. Ross Chastain

4. Martin Truex Jr.

5. Kevin Harvick

6. Kurt Busch

7. Brad Keselowski

8. Joey Logano

9. Chris Buescher

10. Austin Dillon

11. Cole Custer

12. Ryan Preece

13. Daniel Suarez

14. Ryan Newman

15. Corey LaJoie

16. Aric Almirola

17. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

18. Tyler Reddick

19. Chase Briscoe

20. Christopher Bell

21. Bubba Wallace

22. Ryan Blaney

23. Matt DiBenedetto

24. Anthony Alfredo

25. Justin Haley

26. Alex Bowman

27. BJ McLeod

28. Josh Bilicki

29. Joey Gase

30. Quin Houff

31. Chase Elliott

32. Erik Jones

33. Cody Ware

34. William Byron

35. Kyle Busch

36. James Davison

37. Michael McDowell

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images