Kyle Larson took a commanding victory on the reconfigured Charlotte Roval, forward of Christopher Bell and William Byron. Larson then took daughter Audrey for a trip across the observe in his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet after she retrieved the checkered flag for him.
“It is the primary time in my playoff profession I’ve not been near the lower line so it was good to have somewhat little bit of a stress-free week,” mentioned Larson. “I believe it is the primary time I have been right here with out crashing. Good weekend … Clearly, we’re right here at Hendrick’s dwelling and acquired so many individuals right here from there. Gonna be enjoyable to have fun with them. Figuring out that I do not actually use the sim a lot and I used to be within the sim this week, so large thanks to the fellows there. It actually helped me get right into a rhythm early on and assist us form of high quality tune our automotive. Hats off to all people there.”
Although Larson was cruising, drivers located close to the cut-off have been put underneath unimaginable stress — particularly, Tyler Reddick, who had a curler coaster of a race. It began with a Stage 1 win for the 23XI Racing driver, solely to then crash into the facet of his boss Denny Hamlin at first of the second stage, damaging each vehicles. The staff was capable of make repairs and he made a heroic drive by the sector on contemporary tires.
With a handful of laps remaining, Reddick closed the hole to Joey Logano and overtook him on the observe — in addition to within the factors standings — for the ultimate switch spot.
Logano, a two-time NASCAR Cup champion, was eradicated, however not for lengthy. Following post-race inspection, Alex Bowman was disqualified for failing to satisfy the minimal weight requirement. The penalty places him out of the playoffs and Logano again in.
Austin Cindric, who completed fourth, additionally fell from title competition. Daniel Suarez and Chase Briscoe have been additionally eradicated alongside Bowman, however HMS may enchantment.
The highest-ten finishers: Larson, Bell, William, Cindric, Chase Elliott, AJ Allmendinger, Shane van Gisbergen, Joey Logano, Bubba Wallace, Ryan Blaney.
Race rundown
Van Gisbergen led from pole place early within the race, however as anticipated, those that did not want stage factors selected to pit simply earlier than the stage finish. This allowed Reddick to win the opening stage, which turned essential in a while.
At the beginning of Stage 2, Reddick and the others who did not short-pit have been now deep within the pack. It did not take lengthy for hassle discover him. As the sector stacked up as a result of spun automotive of Austin Dillon in Flip 7, Reddick got here in too sizzling and slammed into the facet of Hamlin. The ensuing harm compelled Reddick to make a green-flag pit cease, complaining on the radio that one thing did not really feel proper in rear.
When Chase Briscoe’s flat tire triggered a particles warning, each Reddick and Hamlin have been amongst those that got here to pit street. Reddick had an prolonged cease because the staff to repair the toe hyperlink in the appropriate rear. Sadly for Briscoe, he was unable to proceed, ending Stewart-Haas Racing’s 2024 title run.
Alex Bowman went on to win Stage 2, and assorted methods put A.J. Allmendinger and Joey Logano out entrance for the ultimate stage.
Daniel Suarez went to pit street underneath warning at Lap 57 for potential brake points. The hood was raised on the No. 99 Trackhouse Chevrolet and brake fluid was poured in.
With 43 laps remaining, Larson moved into the race lead with a dive underneath Allmendinger at Flip 7 and by no means regarded again. A wayward wheel for Austin Dillon introduced out a late yellow, nevertheless it did little to vary the end result as Larson marched onward to his twenty ninth profession victory.
Because the factors reset for the Spherical of 8, Larson is atop the championship standings with a 33-point buffer on the cut-line.
