Larson scores first career Brickyard 400 victory

2024-07-23 01:20:02

INDIANAPOLIS – After May’s trip to Indianapolis Motor Speedway left Kyle Larson wanting more, the driver of the No. 5 entry parked it in victory lane at the Brickyard 400. In a full-circle moment, the win came in the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Fan Appreciation colors that Larson was originally supposed to sport at the Coca-Cola 600.

Although the day ending in triumph, Sunday afternoon’s main event did not start out according to plan. After a runner-up finish in the opening stage, the group had a lug nut issue on lap 70’s pit stop for right side tires. The problem resulted in a loss of track position for the team and they would finish stage two in the 20th position.

As the race unfolded and different strategies came and went, Larson pitted for four tires and fuel on lap 123 under the green flag. After passing the commitment line, the caution flag came out on the same lap, allowing Larson to restart 23rd (but on the lead lap) when the race resumed. With fresh tires and a full tank of fuel, the 31-year-old driver drove all the way up to third when the caution flag came out with three laps remaining. Despite a red flag on the first NASCAR Overtime restart, Larson was able to hold off Ryan Blaney to win the Brickyard 400 on the final restart.

The win marks the third career crown jewel victory for Larson in his career. After taking Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Coca-Cola 600 in 2021 and Darlington Raceway’s Southern 500 in 2022, the Elk Grove, California, native has now checked off the Brickyard 400. Only the season-opening DAYTONA 500 remains on the list before Larson would collect all four crown jewel wins.

“What a job by our team,” Larson said after climbing out of his car at the start/finish line. “I mean, never gave up at all. We had the pit stop issue there early on. Just fought and dug and had things work out. Just can’t thank them enough. Hendrickcars.com, Valvoline, Chevrolet, JINYA Ramen Bar, Prime, all the fans, too. I love you, Indiana fans.”

Chase Elliott brought home the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet in the 10th position to end Sunday afternoon’s main event. After starting in the third position, Elliott was handed a pass-through penalty for coming onto the racing surface in between turns one and two after pitting under the green flag in stage one. The issue resulted in an alternate fuel strategy for stages two and three.

Like Larson, Elliott was also on pit road on lap 123 and was able to complete his service without losing a lap. However, Elliott struggled with a tight condition in traffic when trying to move up through the pack. Ultimately, it was the 11th top-10 finish of 2024 for the team.

Alex Bowman and the No. 48 Ally Racing team finished the 400-mile main event in the 31st spot after being collected in an on-track incident during the first overtime restart. The incident saw several cars contact the inside wall and slide up the track, leaving Bowman nowhere to go in turn one. Before the incident, the group did score stage points in the opening segment with a seventh-place finish.

William Byron finished the main event in 38th after being collected in an on-track incident on lap 75. The team was also able to collect stage points with a fourth-place result in stage one.

Sunday’s main event was the final race before the Cup Series takes a hiatus from racing for two weekends. Catch the tour’s return to action at Richmond Raceway on Sunday, August 11, with coverage at 6 p.m. ET on USA Network, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).