In a remarkable show of dominance, Kyle Larson secured victory at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, marking his second consecutive win at the venue and maintaining Chevrolet’s perfect record in the current NASCAR Cup Series season. This triumph allowed Hendrick Motorsports to celebrate its second win across the first three races of the series.
The Las Vegas circuit seems to favor Larson, who now boasts three career victories there. His initial win for Hendrick Motorsports came in 2021 after his return from suspension in 2020. He followed this up with another Las Vegas win in the playoffs last October in his No. 5 Chevy.
Larson faced stiff competition from Tyler Reddick, who, despite his best efforts in the 23XI Racing Toyota, couldn’t quite overtake Larson in the final laps. This chase gave Larson his 24th career Cup Series victory.
Chevrolet’s dominance is evident with victories already claimed by Larson’s teammate William Byron at the Daytona 500 and Daniel Suarez at Atlanta for Trackhouse Racing. This year, Chevrolet has impressively secured eight out of nine national series races.
Ryan Blaney, the defending NASCAR champion, finished third for Team Penske in his Ford, with Trackhouse driver Ross Chastain following. Ty Gibbs in a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing and Las Vegas-born Noah Gragson, now with Stewart-Haas Racing, achieved his career-best sixth place finish.
Martin Truex Jr. of JGR claimed the seventh spot, succeeded by teammate Denny Hamlin, Penske’s pole-sitter Joey Logano, and Byron. Daniel Suarez, the previous week’s winner, came in at 11th position. Larson was exceptional, claiming victory in all three stages and leading a remarkable 181 out of the 267 laps.
Impending Penalty for Buescher
Chris Buescher and RFK Racing are bracing for repercussions after a wheel detached from Buescher’s Ford earlier in the race. Buescher explained the issue saying the nut was lost which led to the wheel being cut in half due to something in the suspension. The expected penalty will lead to a two-race suspension for two crucial crew members from Buescher’s team.
What’s Next for NASCAR
The NASCAR series will progress to the Phoenix Raceway next week where William Byron is set to defend his title. Ross Chastain could also be looking to repeat his November victory which coincided with Blaney’s Cup title win.
___
For more AP auto racing coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
FAQs:
Q: How many times has Kyle Larson won at Las Vegas?
A: Kyle Larson has won three times in his career at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Q: What is Chevrolet’s track record in the current NASCAR season?
A: Chevrolet remains undefeated, having won all of its NASCAR Cup Series races this season, totaling eight out of nine national series races.
Q: Who is the defending NASCAR champion?
A: Ryan Blaney is the reigning NASCAR champion.
Q: What penalties are Chris Buescher and RFK Racing facing?
A: They are facing the suspension of two crew members from Buescher’s team for the next two races due to a tire falling off Buescher’s Ford.
Q: Where will the next NASCAR race take place?
A: The next race in the NASCAR Cup Series is scheduled to take place at Phoenix Raceway.
Conclusion:
Kyle Larson’s impressive performance at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway has not only highlighted his personal skill but also underscored the dominance of Chevrolet in the current NASCAR Cup Series season. With Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet celebrating multiple victories early on, competitors are undoubtedly feeling the pressure. As the series heads to Phoenix Raceway, fans and teams alike are eager to see if Chevrolet’s winning streak will continue and how the rest of the field will adapt to the mounting challenge.