Kyle Larson took a commanding NASCAR Cup Collection victory on the reconfigured Charlotte Roval forward of Christopher Bell and William Byron, because the playoff subject was slimmed to eight drivers.
Larson’s sixth victory of the season within the Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet secured him passage to the following part of the playoffs together with team-mates Byron and Chase Elliott, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota males Bell and Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick (23XI Toyota), and Penske Ford drivers Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney.
“It is the primary time in my playoff profession I’ve not been near the minimize line, so it was good to have a bit of little bit of a stress-free week,” stated Larson.
“I feel it is the primary time I have been right here with out crashing. Good weekend…”
Although Larson was cruising, drivers located close to the cut-off had been put underneath unbelievable stress — particularly Reddick, who had a rollercoaster of a race.
Following a Stage 1 win, he crashed into the aspect of his co-owner Hamlin in the beginning of the second stage, damaging each automobiles. However Reddick produced a heroic drive by way of the sphere on recent tyres and completed eleventh to safe the ultimate switch spot.
Logano, a two-time NASCAR Cup champion, was briefly eradicated however reinstated when Hendrick driver Alex Bowman was disqualified following post-race inspection for failing to fulfill the minimal weight requirement.
Austin Cindric (Penske), who completed fourth, additionally fell from title rivalry. After struggling brake points Daniel Suarez (Trackhouse Chevrolet) was additionally eradicated together with Chase Briscoe (Stewart-Haas Ford), who was unable to proceed after a puncture. Nevertheless, Hendrick may but attraction Bowman’s exclusion.
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, Ally Chevrolet Camaro
Photograph by: Ben Earp / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Elliott beat Kaulig Chevrolet drivers AJ Allmendinger and Shane van Gisbergen to complete fifth, as Logano, Bubba Wallace (23XI) and Blaney rounded out the highest 10.
Poleman van Gisbergen led from pole place early within the race, however as anticipated, those that did not want stage factors selected to pit simply earlier than the stage finish. This allowed Reddick to win the opening stage, which grew to become essential afterward.
Reddick and the others who had stayed out to gather stage factors had been deep within the pack when Stage 2 started, and It did not take lengthy for hassle discover him. As the sphere stacked up as a result of spun automotive of Austin Dillon in Flip 7, Reddick got here in too sizzling and slammed into the aspect of Hamlin. The ensuing injury pressured Reddick to make a green-flag pit cease.
When Briscoe’s flat tyre induced a particles warning and ended his 2024 title run, each Reddick and Hamlin had been amongst those that got here to pit street, the previous making an prolonged cease because the staff sought to repair a damaged right-rear toe hyperlink.
Bowman went on to win Stage 2, as various methods put Allmendinger and Logano out entrance for the ultimate stage. Nevertheless, Allmendinger’s lead did not final lengthy.
With 43 laps remaining, Larson moved forward at Flip 7 and by no means seemed again. A wayward wheel for Austin Dillon introduced out a late yellow, however it did little to alter the end result.
Because the factors reset for the Spherical of 8, Larson is atop the championship standings with a 33-point buffer on the cut-line.