Larson, No. 5 team finish in top 30 at Fontana due to mechanical issue
TRACK: Auto Club Speedway
LENGTH: 2.0-mile oval
DATE: Feb. 26, 2023
STARTED: 15th
FINISHED: 19th
The two-time Auto Club winner started 15th and was quickly into the top 10. However, he came down pit road prior to the competition caution (scheduled for after lap 15) due to a mechanical issue. Larson had been running eighth at the time.
The No. 5 HendrickCars.com team lifted the hood to take a look and he went back out two laps down. Larson brought the car back down pit road during the yellow for a more extensive look and the team brought the car to the garage. Work was done to get the car back out with an electrical issue believed to be the culprit.
Larson returned to the track on lap 30, 15 laps down. Once back out, the team logged laps to gather information for the coming season. With several drivers caught up in an incident near the midway point, the 2021 champion was able to gain a few spots in the running order.
At day’s end, he finished the race 29th.
QUOTING KYLE LARSON:
“It’s unfortunate that we had an issue early on in the race but it was good to be able to get back out there to learn some things about our car and see that we still had competitive speed. It was also nice to be able to gain some positions back by the end. The team never gave up even though it wasn’t the day we wanted.”
NEXT RACE:
Larson and the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet team stay out west and will compete at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 5. The 400-mile race will be broadcast live at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
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