Once again, Kyle Larson emerged victorious but this time at Nashville. (Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Undoubtedly, Kyle Larson continues his John Sebastian tour in the NASCAR Cup Series. In this case, this particular tour is the “Welcome Back” tour in which Larson drives into victory lane.
Wherever the Cup drivers and teams compete, Kyle Larson proves relentless. Sure, Larson placed second in stage 1 in Sunday’s Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway.
However, the 28-year-old Elk Grove, Calif. native came through with a rather flawless afternoon. By all means, Larson proves as victorious in red as Tom Brady with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Starting in fifth, Larson rocketed his way into the lead, going three wide with Kyle Busch and Aric Almirola. Moreover, he pulled his best Maurice Gibb by being the “Man in the Middle.”
Without a doubt, Larson seemed like a coolheaded driver on a long road trip. Indeed, nothing deterred “Yung Money” with his pursuit of his fourth win of 2021.
Ultimately, Larson rocked his way into Nashville’s victory lane, cashing in on NASCAR’s first “Music City” race since 1984.
In summary, Kyle Larson’s performance in Nashville proved similar to a great show at the Grand Ole Opry. (Photo: Logan Riely/Getty Images)
“I think it definitely adds some enjoyment. Yeah, I mean, this is the first time the Cup Series has been to this racetrack,” Larson said. “I stayed in the city this week. I got to see how pumped up all the race fans were for the race this weekend. There’s a lot of fans that recognized me throughout the last couple days walking around, wishing me good luck, saying how excited they were to go to the race.”
Naturally, Larson finds himself in a winning streak like his idol Jeff Gordon during his heydays in NASCAR. In like manner, the Californian remained humble about his third consecutive Cup win.
“It’s awesome to get multiple wins in a row now in the Cup Series,” Larson observed. “I mean, really it’s four wins in a row. Just cool to do that. Didn’t think that was possible ever for me in the Cup Series anyways. I’ve gone on streaks in dirt racing and stuff before, but never been close to doing anything like that in Cup.”
Surely, Larson’s streak proves impressive considering his run in sprint car’s “Ohio Sprint Speedweek” races. Similarly, the ninth year Cup racer reflected on his 10th career win in wonderment.
Unlike a Waylon Jennings song, Kyle Larson was not a Nashville Bum. (Photo: Logan Riely/Getty Images)
“It was a great day,” Larson observed. “We never really had to run behind people, so I don’t know. If one of my teammates got out front again it probably would have been hard to pass them. This Valvoline Chevrolet was really good. It cut the middle of the corner really well and our pit crew did an awesome job again. That number one pit stall helps a bunch, too. This crowd is awesome!”
Of course, Larson reflected on past races that seemed winnable like Atlanta and Dover. Granted, the present remains important to this championship contender.
“At times, yeah, I can catch myself thinking about it,” Larson said. “There’s definitely been a few that have slipped away. At the same point we do have the most wins now in the series, which is great. I really am just looking forward now. You can’t change the past. I’d like to just continue to win, continue to win stages, keep racking up the Playoff points to try to distance myself from the competition. That’s my goal, just to keep winning, win races, but to rack up those Playoff points.”
Earlier in the week, Larson pointed out how, despite his winning ways, business remains usual for him.
“No, I mean, I haven’t really been doing anything different is the thing,” Larson said in his Hot Seat interview. “I mean, daily routines and all that. I’m still staying as busy as ever busier here these last few weeks than than I was for most the season so far with all the dirt racing I’ve been doing. Yeah, I don’t know. Just keep doing what I’ve been doing, which is, I mean, normal. Each each day feels busy and normal for me.”
Meanwhile, runner up Ross Chastain continued his midseason swoon at Nashville. On account of a great pit strategy by the No. 42 team, Chastain enjoyed a career best second place finish in Nashville.
By the same token, Ross Chastain enjoyed his race at Nashville. (Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
“Up and down day for sure,” Chastain tweeted. “I sped on pit road, I blocked us in our pit box. But our Clover Chevy was fast. Phil Surgen [Chastain’s crew chief] and this crew made the right pit call in the end.
“I questioned them. Sorry, I can’t apologize enough for questioning my team. But we drove back up there. And we had plenty of fuel, had the tires, got up to second which was awesome.”
Ultimately, Larson expresses confidence for next weekend’s Pocono doubleheader. In short, maximum points and wins await Larson and his No. 5 team.
Track president Erik Moses and his Nashville team take pride in a successful race weekend capped off by Kyle Larson’s win. (Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
“I’m obviously excited to go to any racetrack right now,” Larson shared. “I do enjoy Pocono a lot. I think that will be a style of track we’re really fast at hopefully. It’s three different corners. I mean, there’s that that will make you a little bit nervous.
“Yeah, I’ve always felt like I’ve gotten around there pretty well, even at Ganassi. I’m excited to get there.”
Ally 400 at Nashville Top 10 Finishers
Larson-Chastain-Byron-Almirola-Harvick/Stenhouse Jr-Suarez-Kurt Busch-Bell-Logano
