Kyle Larson Turns Season Around with First Southern 500 Win

Punches Ticket to Next NASCAR Playoff Round

By Dave Hascall

(Darlington, SC) Kyle Larson, who absolutely destroyed the competition at the NASCAR All-Star Race in May, has been very quiet since then.  Tonight the Open Wheel star, who made his name on dirt track bullrings across the country, took one of NASCAR’s Crown Jewels, the Cookout Southern 500 at the historic Darlington Raceway.  This is his first Southern 500 victory. Larson led the last 55 laps, streaking away from Tyler Reddick, surprising Chris Buescher, William Byron, and Ross Chastain. Denny Hamlin led 177 laps but after having to pit a second time due to a potential loose wheel, was also caught up in a late accident.  He finished 25th, one lap down.

Of the first 12 finishers, ten were part of the 16 driver Playoff field.  Only Chase Elliott (8th) and Erik Jones (10th) were the top non-playoff drivers in the Top 12.  Larson automatically advanced to the next round.  After the next races at Kansas and the Bristol night race, the playoff field will be cut from 16 to 12.  Presently Bubba Wallace, Kevin Harvick, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., and Michael McDowell are below the 12th place cutline.  Obviously any driver in the playoffs will automatically advance to the next round with a race win.