NASCAR: Kyle Larson Wins by Driving Away in the Final 30 Laps

Kyle Larson earned some much-needed track position by making a two-tire pit stop during the final lap of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville, earning his second victory in three races.

After J.J. Yeley crashed with 57 laps to go and overtook Joey Logano with 30 laps left, Larson restarted in the top five courtesy of the pit stop. Logano could not keep Larson behind him because he had stayed out on worn tires to gain track position.

Throughout the following 30 circuits, Larson pulled away from Logano and the rest of the field astonishingly.

Larson increased his advantage over Logano and the surrounding region by more than three seconds, including the drivers who had pitted for four tires during the final caution after no one had built up a significant lead throughout the 400-lap race.

Larson’s victory is his first at Martinsville and his 21st Cup Series triumph overall. He wasn’t a serious contender for the win until the day’s last pit stop.

“I don’t even know what to say. I never thought I’d win here,” 

Kyle Larson told his team on the radio after the race.

Martin Truex Jr. surged to third place in the closing circuits, while Logano held second. Chase Briscoe came in fifth, and Denny Hamlin came in fourth.

About Kyle Larson:

Professional stock car racer Kyle Larson is a driver. He presently rides in the NASCAR Cup Series and has a long history of winning important competitions.

In Elk Grove, California, Kyle Larson was born on July 31, 1992. He got his start in go-kart racing when he was young and later graduated to sprint cars. He debuted in NASCAR in 2013 and has since become one of the most successful drivers in the division.

Kyle Larson has dominated his career, taking first place in the All-Star race and Coca-Cola 600 in 2019.

A multiple-time qualifier for the NASCAR playoffs, he has also been voted the NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year.

Kyle Larson is renowned for his humanitarian efforts with groups like the Kyle Larson Foundation and the Urban Youth Racing School, which supports impoverished children and families off the track.

The day is ruined for Preece by his speeding ticket.

After swerving on pit road during the race’s second caution, Ryan Preece lost the lead he had held for the first 135 laps of the race and was never able to regain it.

Preece was demoted from the front to the rear of the lead lap because of the penalty, and it took him many circuits to even get back into the top 20.

Preece finished 15th overall, five positions ahead of Kevin Harvick, his teammate at Stewart-Haas Racing.

On Sunday, Harvick, too, had a quick vehicle, but his bad luck came towards the end of the race.

After his pit stop under final caution, Harvick was forced to pit due to a loose wheel and broken lug nut.

Harvick was forced to pit to get a fresh tire and forfeited any chance at a victory or a top-five finish, even though his car’s wheel remained attached to the hub.

About Ryan Preece:

Ryan Preece is another professional stock car racing driver competing in the NASCAR Cup Series. He was born on October 25, 1990, in Berlin, Connecticut.

Preece began his racing career in go-karts and eventually moved up to modified cars, where he found great success.

In 2013, Ryan Preece made his NASCAR debut in the Xfinity Series and has since competed in all three of NASCAR’s national series.

He has won multiple races in the lower-level series and found success in the Cup Series, including a top-five finish at the 2021 Daytona 500.

Off the track, Ryan Preece and his wife Heather are active in their community and have been involved in altruistic work, including donating to various organizations that help children with illnesses.

All the images used in the article are grabbed from videos.

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