One year removed from the closest finish in NASCAR history, some deja vu was felt in the Sunflower State this weekend. Last year, Kyle Larson claimed victory over Chris Buescher, by 0.001 seconds, the closest finish in NASCAR history. This year, Larson started on pole. Who was runner-up? Chris Buescher.
This race was all Kyle Larson, as he achieved a NASCAR “Grand Slam”, he started on pole, won both stages, and won the race, with the fastest lap, so he has gained 61 points from one race, the most points gained from a race since 2017’s point system change. He also achieved a large milestone during this race, as he now has 10,000 laps led in the NASCAR Cup Series. He is one of 22 drivers to lead over 10,000 laps in the highest level of stock car racing.
AJ Allmendinger’s season went from bad to worse in Kansas, as his engine blew early in the race. He voiced his frustrations to Earnhardt-Childress Engines, who make most of the Chevrolet engines over the radio, saying “Hey ECR, your engines [expletive] suck!” The two-time Cup Series winner has had a season to forget so far, and sits 25th in points, and dropped 6 spots as a result of his DNF.
We have a new points leader, as Kyle Larson dethroned teammate William Byron as a result of his win, and Byron’s 24th place finish in Kansas. Larson is +35 points ahead of Byron, and holds a commanding lead. The biggest mover in points this week was Josh Berry, who jumped up 7 spots and is now in 17th place, just outside a playoff position with 14 races until the NASCAR playoffs.
The NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race is next week at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway, and Kyle Larson is questionable to start. He’s doing the “Double” where a driver races in the Indianapolis 500 in Indianapolis and the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte on the same day. Larson missed the Coca-Cola 600 last year due to a weather delay in both races. Should both races follow the provisional schedule, Larson should have no issue doing it, and he has some of the best odds to win not only one, but both races. Should he be one of the top 6 qualifiers for the Indy 500, he will miss the All-Star Race.
“The Best Day in Motorsports”, Sunday, May 25th kicks off with the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix at 9:00 AM EST on ABC, the 109th Indianapolis 500 starts at noon EST on FOX, and the Coca-Cola 600 is the last leg of the trifecta, starting at 6:00 PM EST on FOX, following the Indy 500. Who will conquer the streets of Monaco? Who will kiss the bricks and drink milk in victory lane in Indianapolis? Who will capture victory in “America’s Home for Racing”? We’ll have to wait and see.
