Kansas Speedway tends to be one of many extra thrilling races on the NASCAR schedule, however Kyle Larson did his greatest to show in any other case on Sunday, dominating the race from begin to end. It was a really completely different ending to the Truck race on Saturday, which noticed two drivers sliding sideways and hitting the wall in an exhilarating battle for the win. However like most weekends in racing, there was one driver very pleased and a number of drivers someplace between irritated and irate.
With that being mentioned, let’s check out the largest winners and losers from NASCAR in Kansas:
WINNER: Larson for merely being unstoppable…and getting his pedal automotive
Watch: Larson on Kansas victory: ‘Glad to not win by an inch this time’
Larson had an ideal weekend at Kansas. He earned pole place, gained each Stage 1 and Stage 2, secured the quickest lap bonus level, and captured the race win whereas main 221 of 267 laps. This displaying additionally vaulted him to the very prime of the championship standings. It was the definition of dominance, coming simply earlier than he embarks on the uncommon Indy 500/Coke 600 ‘Double’ over the subsequent two weeks. He additionally actually needed that pedal automotive given to Kansas pole winners, and was maybe extra enthusiastic about that than when he gained the race on Sunday!
LOSER: Brad Keselowski as a result of he cannot catch a break
It has been a nightmarish season for the RFK Racing driver/co-owner. By way of 12 races, Keselowski has zero prime tens, 5 DNFs, and sits buried thirty second within the championship standings. However at Kansas, there was a glimmer of hope as he drove from the very again of the sector to problem for the race lead in the beginning of the ultimate stage. However whereas operating second, the right-rear tire blew out and he slammed the wall, ending his day. It was simply the newest chapter in a dismal season — the worst begin we have ever seen out of the 2012 NASCAR Cup Collection champion.
WINNER: Josh Berry, carrying that #21 to new heights
Josh Berry, Wooden Brothers Racing Ford
Photograph by: Jamie Squire / Getty Pictures
It is starting to look potential that the Wooden Brothers Racing group — NASCAR’s oldest staff — might win a number of races this season. To place that in perspective have not completed that in 44 years. Berry crashed whereas main at Texas final weekend, however confirmed as much as Kansas with one other scorching rod. He simply had top-five tempo, however a rushing penalty proved pricey with slightly below 100 laps to go. Even nonetheless, Berry clawed his method again via the sector, ending sixth in the long run. The No. 21 was final in factors only one 12 months in the past, so this can be a enormous step ahead with Berry behind the wheel.
LOSER: Denny Hamlin after back-to-back DNFs
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Photograph by: Chris Graythen – Getty Pictures
For the primary time in almost 12 years, Hamlin has recorded back-to-back DNFs. And what makes it irritating for the veteran driver is that each have been exterior of his management. Two mechanical points, outlined by a dramatic oil fireplace at Texas and a misbehaving clutch that broke the transaxle in the course of the remaining spherical of pit stops at Kansas. He appeared to be confused after the newest subject, and who can blame him?
WINNER: Corey Heim leads the best way for 23XI
Corey Heim, Toyota, William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Photograph by: Chris Graythen – Getty Pictures
23XI Racing entered 4 vehicles into the Cup race at Kansas, putting Truck Collection common Corey Heim within the further ‘open’ entry. Regardless of it being simply his fourth-ever Cup race, Heim piloted that brilliant yellow No. 67 very effectively all through the day. There was a restart the place he pushed up in a four-wide state of affairs, triggering a multi-car wreck. However regardless of that mistake, he was easy for a lot of the day and ended up being the highest-running driver in your entire 23XI fleet. He completed thirteenth, with Tyler Reddick in seventeenth being his closest teammate.
LOSER: Chase Elliott’s pit crew and their pricey error
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Photograph by: Chris Graythen – Getty Pictures
Elliott began the ultimate stage in command of the race and set sail, however his trip entrance did not final. In the course of the remaining pit cease of the race, the jack dropped earlier than the right-rear tire was secured. The gradual cease dropped him from the lead, free-falling exterior of the highest 15. He by no means recovered, ending fifteenth on the finish of the day as his winless streak now extends past a 12 months.
WINNER: Hocevar/Riggs for not wrecking within the battle for the Truck win
Watch: Hocevar: ‘Simply thought I would make it entertaining’ in wild Kansas end
In a second considerably paying homage to the well-known Ron Hornaday/Johnny Sauter battle from 2010, Carson Hocevar and Layne Riggs received into one another whereas battling for the Truck Collection win at Kansas. It wasn’t as dramatic of a slide because the Hornaday and Sauter deal, however each Vehicles began spinning earlier than being caught by the skin wall. They continued on like nothing occurred for the rest of the white flag lap, ending 1-2 (till Riggs was later disqualified for failing post-race inspection). Hocevar additionally confirmed Riggs that he was ‘primary’ as they raced throughout the end line.
LOSER: Allmendinger’s blown engine compromises his factors place
AJ Allmendinger, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Photograph by: Sean Gardner / Getty Pictures
AJ Allmendinger has been doing a powerful job of accumulating factors for his No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet this 12 months. He has been constant and stays inside hanging distance of the cut-off line for the playoffs. However all of his laborious work went up in a plume of white smoke at Kansas, simply six laps into the race. The blown engine left him with a single level and he was furious on the radio. Allmendinger may be heard calling out the ECR engines below the hood, and even after unplugging the radio, expletives flew from contained in the race automotive. This additionally comes one week after an early wreck at Texas, which additionally left him with a single level. He was averaging about 22 factors per week earlier than these newest points. It is also his second engine failure of the 12 months, additionally dropping a motor within the Daytona 500.
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