Early race incident causes Larson, HendrickCars.com team to finish 32nd at Dover
TRACK: Dover Motor Speedway
LENGTH: 1.0-mile oval
DATE: May 1, 2023
STARTED: 18th
FINISHED: 32nd
STANDINGS: 10th (-70 points)
With rain forcing NASCAR to cancel qualifying on Saturday, Kyle Larson and the HendrickCars.com Chevrolet lined up 18th per the rule book for Sunday’s 400-lap race at Dover Motor Speedway.
The 30-year-old driver quickly maneuvered his way through the field and advanced his position by three spot when the competition caution slowed the field on lap 20. Under the caution, the Elk Grove, California, native visited pit road for four tires, fuel and adjustments. Crew chief Cliff Daniels told Larson his tires looked good after that run as the No. 5 driver chose 14th for the lap 28 restart. Two cautions occurred shortly after, and Larson strategically positioned himself to enter the top 10 by lap 45. He continued to advance, peaking to the fifth position before being collected in an on-track incident on lap 81. Larson came down pit road for the No. 5 crew to examine right-front side damage to his HendrickCars.com Chevy. They gave him four fresh tires and repaired the damage as much as they could before the field went back green. Larson restarted 27th and met minimum speed to take himself off the damaged vehicle clock, maintaining the lead lap as well. Still struggling for speed, Larson came down pit road on lap 100 for further evaluation to his Chevy and was sent to the garage for additional work.
Stage one ended with Larson behind the wall, scored 32nd. On lap 129, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion re-entered the race, 30 laps down. Looking to possibly gain a few more positions as the race went on, Larson and the No. 5 team battled throughout the 130-lap second stage. Despite losing five additional laps, Larson maintained his 32nd position overall until the green-white checkered flag was shown.
At the stage break, Larson pit for four tires, fuel and additional adjustments, in efforts that the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevy would drive smoother. Larson continued to race the “Monster Mile” until a caution occurred with 93 laps to go. Under the yellow, the No. 5 driver came to the attention of his pit crew for four tires and fuel. Another caution occurred with 46 laps to go, and Larson once more visited his crew for four tires and fuel. With 14 laps to go, during the last caution of the day, Larson stayed out when pit road opened. With seven laps remaining, Larson was able to hold on to finish 32nd at the checkered-flag.
QUOTING KYLE LARSON:
“I don’t know if he (Ross Chastain) got in a hurry and made a mistake but- (he) crashed before we ever got into the corner and I was committed to the top and he slid up so, there was nowhere for me to go. I just hope our luck turns around soon. We have the fastest car every weekend and it doesn’t seem to work out.”
NEXT RACE:
Larson and the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet head to Kansas Speedway next Sunday, May 7 – a home race for HendrickCars.com with five dealerships in the area. The 400-mile race at will broadcast live at 3 p.m. ET on FS1.
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