Kyle Larson, who started eighth in Sunday’s 400-mile race at Michigan International Speedway, moved up to fifth before the event’s first caution waved at lap 20. Crew chief Cliff Daniels called Larson to pit road for fuel and a change of right-side tires, and the 30-year-old driver restarted 14th since 11 cars stayed out during the caution period. Larson was again able to pick up spots and finished stage two on lap 45 in 11th.
During the stage break, Daniels called Larson onto pit road for a change of left-side tires. The call allowed the driver of the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet ZL1 to restart fourth, and Larson was up to second by lap 57. But while battling for the lead, he abused his tires and fell to fifth before green-flag pit stops began at lap 81. Larson stopped for four tires on lap 93 and returned to the track in 20th. When a caution interrupted the cycle, the Elk Grove, California, native was scored 15th. After a quick stop to top off the No. 5 fuel cell, Larson restarted ninth on lap 105 and battled his way up to third before stage two ended at lap 120.
Larson was forced to start at the rear of the field at the beginning of the final stage after speeding on pit road during the stage break. He restarted 24th on lap 126 and gained 10 positions in just eight laps. On lap 146, Larson broke into the top 10 and, on lap 157, he was once again in the top five. When a caution waved on lap 159, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion was running third.
After a four-tire stop, Larson restarted third with 35 laps to go in the 200-lap race. He quickly made it up to second before a three-wide battle in turn 1 on lap 166 sent the No. 5 entry up the track. Larson slowed to get control of his Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 but lost seven spots during the exchange. He was able to pick off two spots before the checkered flag waved on lap 200.
QUOTING KYLE LARSON:
“Bubba (Wallace) cleared me and I think he got loose, and then I got loose. I just washed up the track and that was the end of our race. But I was really happy with our No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevy, with the speed and the handling. I wish I would have gotten out to the lead, but I just wasn’t as aggressive as a lot of the field was.
“I didn’t even think I was close to speeding, but obviously I was. We’ll look at the data and see where I messed up.”
NEXT RACE:
With four races remaining until the playoffs commence, Larson and the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet team head to Richmond – a Home race for HendrickCars.com. The 400-lap race takes place Sunday, Aug. 14 at 3 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on USA.
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