In what could only be described as a dominating performance, ‘21 champ Kyle Larson starts off the year with a bang in Las Vegas.
Larson qualified on the front row, alongside pole sitter Joey Logano, who is 3/3 for qualifying on the front row this year.
Lap one saw the #22 of Logano lurch into the lead before Larson wrestled it back and led until the first yellow.
After a quick spin from the #20 car of Christopher Bell, the field went back racing again with Chris Buescher’s RFK #17 and Chase Briscoe’s SHR #14 at the helm, after the duo only took two tires on the pit stop. It was Larson’s Hendrick teammate and Daytona 500 winner William Byron who got the jump this time around and claimed the lead of the race.
Byron’s time in the top spot would be cut short, however, by Buescher’s #17 slamming the turn 1 wall. NASCAR would briefly display the red flag in order to fix the damage done to the wall.
After the red, winner of last week’s spectacular finish Daniel Suárez would take the lead on a pit strategy move. Soon after he was chased down by Atlanta third place finisher Kyle Busch.
Busch couldn’t enjoy it up front as he quickly found himself in the company of his fellow Kyle in Kyle Larson who fought hard to reclaim the lead.
Tyler Reddick in the #45 would try and wrestle the lead away from the #5 but to no avail. Larson claimed the first stage win.
Stage One Result:
1. #5 Kyle Larson
2. #45 Tyler Reddick
3. #19 Martin Truex Jr
4. #8 Kyle Busch
5. #11 Denny Hamlin
6. #54 Ty Gibbs
7. #7 Corey LaJoie
8. #1 Ross Chastain
9. #2 Austin Cindric
10. #20 Christopher Bell
The second stage got underway on lap 89, with JGR teammates Truex Jr. and Hamlin adorning the front row. But it wasn’t long before Larson’s #5 machine found its way to the front of the pack yet again.
Larson would then remain uncontested in the top spot, until lap 157, when Bell’s #20 spun coming out of turn 2, causing a caution. Under the ensuing pit stops, Alex Bowman would usurp his teammates chokehold on the top spot by taking two tires.
Larson would wrestle the lead away again at the drop of the green, and once again held off Reddick to earn a pair of stage wins and the full sweep for the day.
Stage Two Results:
1. #5 Kyle Larson
2. #45 Tyler Reddick
3. #11 Denny Hamlin
4. #12 Ryan Blaney
5. #19 Martin Truex Jr
6. #9 Chase Elliott
7. #3 Austin Dillon
8. #48 Alex Bowman
9. #22 Joey Logano
10. #43 Erik Jones
The day’s dynamic duo of Larson and Reddick lined up to start the final stage. The ‘21 champion got the jump from the line again and continued to lay claim to the top spot.
Again, Larson’s position remained uncontested until the final caution of the day was thrown for Corey LaJoie’s #7 car spinning out of turn 2 with help from Keselowski’s #6.
Once again on the restart Larson got the jump on Chastain and got out in front. Reddick took off in hot pursuit of his old rival and began to reel him in, but to no avail. Kyle Larson crossed the line to win his first race in 2024, and lock himself back in for another shot at a title. Additionally, Chevrolet’s strong start to 2024 was continued, as they have now won 3/3 races so far in the top division.
Reddick finished in the runner-up spot after playing second fiddle to Larson seemingly all day.
Reigning champion Ryan Blaney topped off the podium places with a strong third place run, with Ross Chastain behind him in fourth.
Larson’s win will now rocket him into the points lead, trailed closely by Blaney and MTJ.
Featured Image Credits: Patrick Vallely
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