Kyle Larson looks on after qualifying second for Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. (Photo: Holden Barnes | The Podium Finish)
BRISTOL, Tenn. — Whenever the NASCAR Cup Series circuit heads to Bristol Motor Speedway, it is almost certain that Kyle Larson is near the top of the list of contenders.
Over the past four years, the 32-year-old Elk Grove, California, native has four consecutive top five finishes. On Sept. 18, 2021. Larson parlayed his win at the 0.533-mile concrete oval to capture the first five wins in the Cup Playoffs that resulted in his first championship.
Last year, Larson bobbled during qualifying, resulting in a 36th starting position. However, he finished eighth in Stage 1, third in Stage 2, led for 20 laps and finished runner-up to Denny Hamlin.
Recently, Larson qualified 10th, finished second in Stage 1, eighth in Stage 2, led for 19 laps, overcame the tire wear concerns and placed fifth.
Prior to arriving at Bristol, Larson considered how the Goodyear tires would fare this weekend considering how this year’s Food City 500 resulted in a tire management race.
“I’ll be interested to see how the tire wear is this weekend,” Larson said in a team press release. “We had a pit road penalty, restarted from the rear and still managed tire wear to battle back for a top-five earlier this year. I really enjoy this track and this race under the lights, so I am looking forward to Saturday night.”
Based on Friday’s practice and qualifying sessions, tire wear did not appear to be an issue. Logging 106 laps in the 45-minute practice round, Larson was third fastest and eighth quickest in the 10-lap average chart.
Kyle Larson’s car has taken well to any groove at Bristol Motor Speedway ahead of Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race. (Photo: Holden Barnes | The Podium Finish)
Typically, Larson and crew chief Cliff Daniels focus on a long, green flag run, even at one of the most action packed ovals on the schedule. Runs can last anywhere from 42 to 63 laps before a caution that prompt pit stops.
Qualifying second for the 500-lap race and the cutoff race for the Round of 16, Larson opts for pit stall 23, the last on the backstretch.
This particular stall means Larson can focus on a clean entry toward the pits, trusting his crew on a sub-nine second stop. The emphasis will be on Larson consistently having a clean exit while maintaining the pit road speed limit to drive past his competitors on the frontstretch pits.
Sure, a strong top five finish would be ideal for Larson to advance to the Round of 12 after crashing in the opener at Atlanta and placing a quiet 12th last Sunday at Watkins Glen. Then again, Larson is typically an all or nothing driver with few in-betweens.
Kyle Larson would make “Handsome” Harry Grant proud by running the high groove at Bristol Motor Speedway. (Photo: Holden Barnes | The Podium Finish)
A victory with stage wins are in the sights of Larson and his No. 5 team even if Bristol, in the words of the late Dick Trickle, is like flying fighter jets in a gymnasium. Besides winning the sword at the track dubbed ‘The Last Great Coliseum,” advancing another step toward stock car immortality in a Cup championship is on Larson’s mind.
For now, he has the task of keeping all of his fenders in tact and expertly navigating his unmistakable ride at Bristol with lap times hovering just above 15 seconds. Experience, preparation and confidence may come into key for Larson each time he takes on “The World’s Fastest Half-Mile.”
“It’s one of the coolest places to race at and I have had a lot of success there,” Larson said.
Garnering a win, six top fives and 11 top 10s in 16 starts, Larson is a favorite in this typically eventful race. Embracing the chaos at Bristol, the 27-time Cup race winner might be the last man standing when all is said and done at this sentimental short track.
