Motorsport TechnologyKyle Larson continued his sensational NASCAR form as the Hendrick Motorsports driver won his third race in succession at Sunday’s prestigious All-Star Race at Texas Motor Speedway.
The victory was also a lucrative one for the likeable Californian as he netted a $1 million payout after claiming his second All-Star race win and the organization’s tenth.
“Honestly, I can’t believe it,” Larson is quoted on motorsport.com. “That second run there, we were really bad and I was like, ‘Man, we’re in trouble’. I went backwards that round, so I was like we’ve got an uphill battle,” Larson said. “I did not imagine seeing myself winning this race today. Cliff (Daniels, crew chief) and everybody works so hard on this thing and made some good adjustments throughout the first, second and third rounds and got us in position.”
It was the restart he needed. 💰@KyleLarsonRacin explains how he was able to get to the front when it mattered most. #AllStarRace pic.twitter.com/pIYYgIX7qg
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 14, 2021
Larson started in the best possible position, rolling off the line in pole position and never looked back to win round one. Having pitted at the end of the round, he shuffled back in 12th but lost ground to finish the second round in 14th place.
He restacked for the third instalment in eighth but then made his customary charge, gaining two place to end the round in sixth position. After another race inversion, Larson found himself third at the start of round four but again made inroads to finish the stage in second place, where he continued to race at the start of round five.
Rejoining in fourth after his mandatory green-flag stop, Larson made the most of his fresh set of Goodyear tires and finished the round in third place. And he wasn’t done yet, the in-form Hendrick driver passing Brad Keselowski to take the lead on lap 94 and holding his rivals behind to claim another All-Star race victory.
WHAT A BATTLE FOR THE LEAD IN THE FINAL ROUND! @KyleLarsonRacin to the front! #AllStarRace pic.twitter.com/wmUIs93baR
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 14, 2021
“That last restart worked out exactly how I needed it to,” added Larson. “I wanted Chase (Elliott) to not get a good run down the back. Thankfully, I think (Ryan Blaney) got to his inside. I just shoved him down the back and he probably thought I was going to just follow him. I thought there had to be enough grip above where we’d been running for one corner. It was a little slick up there, but I was able to get it and hold him off from there. I can’t believe it.”
Making it yet another successful outing for the team, last year’s All-Star race winner Chase Elliott came home in third for yet another podium and a $100,000 prize as Alex Bowman and William Byron finished close behind in sixth and seventh, respectively.
Show @KyleLarsonRacin the money. 💰 pic.twitter.com/NkvUMWXuwv
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 14, 2021
