Kyle Larson picks up 9th win of 2021
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Leading 131 laps in the Hollywood Casino 400 Sunday, Kyle Larson collected his ninth points-awarding victory of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season at Kansas Speedway.
The Hendrick Motorsports driver led on five occasions, including the final 39 laps to win his third straight Cup Series race.
“I want to dedicate this win to Rick and Linda (Hendrick),” Larson said. “I didn’t ever get to meet Ricky (Hendrick) or the other men and women who lost their lives that day, but I felt the importance of this race, no doubt.
“It’s crazy how it kind of all worked out there for me to win.”
Through 34 races into the season, Kyle Larson has led 2,398 laps, the most among the competition. Additionally, Larson leads the field in Top-5 finishes (19) and Top-10 finishes (25)
Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott finished second, leading three times for 42 laps.
“I think anyone in this Round can win next week,” Elliott said. “So, we are really going to have to be on it, but looking forward to the opportunity and excited for the challenge.”
Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, and playoff driver Denny Hamlin rounded out the Top-5 finishers.
THROUGH THE FIELD
William Byron, Martin Truex Jr., Christopher Bell, Joey Logano and Austin Dillon rounded out the Top-10 finishers.
In his first Cup Series race since 2019, Parker Kligerman finished 20th, one lap down, piloting the No. 96 Gaunt Brothers Racing machine.
Spring 2021 Kansas race winner Kyle Busch finished 28th after tire issues throughout the race.
For the first time in over five years, Ryan Ellis made his first Cup Series start, finishing 13 laps down in 36th, driving for Rick Ware Racing.
A lap 223 incident with Austin Dillon relegated Ryan Blaney to a 37th-place finish.
OUTLOOK
Kyle Larson is the only driver in the playoffs who is guaranteed to race for a championship at Phoenix Raceway in two weeks.
The next race is scheduled for next Sunday, Oct. 31, at Martinsville Speedway.
SOURCESRacing-Reference.info
Team Chevrolet
