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NASCAR Cup Series

Kyle Larson Tallies Second Richmond Victory, First Win of 2023

Kyle Larson earned a sentimental 20th NASCAR Cup Series victory on what would have been Ricky Hendrick's 43rd birthday. (Photo: Mitchell Richtmyre | The Podium Finish)

Kyle Larson earned a sentimental 20th NASCAR Cup Series victory on what would have been Ricky Hendrick’s 43rd birthday. (Photo: Mitchell Richtmyre | The Podium Finish)

RICHMOND, Va. – Kyle Larson can likely relate to a video game player who has finally overcome a difficult board or stage boss.

In the past 2,030 days prior to Sunday’s Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway, the 30-year-old Elk Grove, California native has dealt with frustrating races at the 0.75-mile track. Namely, the 11th-year Cup racer’s best finish in his past eight starts at Richmond was fifth, a result earned in last year’s spring race.

Suffice to say, aside from the superspeedways at Daytona and Talladega, Larson has been average, at best, at “The Action Track.” Still, it was a matter of time before the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion turned things around with his No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro team.

For starters, Larson seemed at ease with the new, lower downforce package introduced at Phoenix and Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. While he did not yield the result that reflected his confidence with this style of Cup racing, he has been one of the consistent frontrunners alongside Hendrick Motorsports teammates, William Byron and Alex Bowman.

With rain curtailing practice and qualifying, Larson rolled off from the ninth starting position. It was evident that this was not going to be another Richmond performance defined by a ordinary quick burst followed by a disappointing result.

Instead, Larson marched his way up the leaderboard, climbing up to second by Stage 1’s conclusion.

Once Stage 2 kicked off, Larson was one of the few drivers who could challenge Byron for the lead, particularly on the outside line, on Lap 124.

Despite taking the lead, Larson was involved in a pit road collision with Daniel Suárez on Lap 161. The collision ensued when Larson, who exited his pit stall, tangled with Suárez, who was about to enter his respective stall.

On camera, Larson’s tangle with Suárez looked more like an issue beyond a crinkled right front fender, at least with the former’s concerns.

A pit road tangle with Daniel Suárez impacted the handling and performance of Kyle Larson's No. 5 car in Stage 2 at Richmond. (Photo: Mitchell Richtmyre | The Podium Finish)

A pit road tangle with Daniel Suárez impacted the handling and performance of Kyle Larson’s No. 5 car in Stage 2 at Richmond. (Photo: Mitchell Richtmyre | The Podium Finish)

“I got into the 99 (Suárez) on pit road there sometime in the second stage, and we were awful after that,” Larson said. “I was hoping the damage was the reason why, but they had to calm me down a little bit and get refocused and was able to get it done.”

It took time for Larson to return to the front of the field as he dropped to an eighth place result in Stage 2.

After Larson’s pit crew addressed the damaged right front, it was game on from there on.

Notably, the Californian returned to the top-five on Lap 285. In the words of a Don Henley hit tune from 1984, Larson did not look back, nor did he ever look back.

Position-by-position, in tandem with good, smooth pit stops, Larson battled for the lead in the race’s final 50 laps.

On what appeared to be the race’s final pit stop with about 50 laps remaining, Larson split the difference for the long, green flag run. Rallying back up to the second spot, trailing Martin Truex Jr., the caution came out on Lap 373 due to Tyler Reddick’s Turn 2 spin.

Truex led the lead lap contenders down to pit road for the race’s final stop. Akin to their 2021 form, Larson’s over-the-wall crew delivered with a smooth stop that brought their driver back into the lead.

A Lap 380, Turn 1 incident involving Christopher Bell, William Byron and Kevin Harvick set up a 15 lap dash to the finish between Larson and Josh Berry, the interim driver of the No. 9 ride.

Berry tapped into his best, short track racing efforts to challenge Larson. Alas, Larson’s experience in a Cup car paid dividends as he drove to his first win of the 2023 season.

After a unique, nearly full track length version of a quick burnout, Larson considered the events following Phoenix and how the Hendrick organization moved onward.

“It doesn’t really change my outlook for the rest of the season,” Larson said. “I felt like, yes, we got hit with 100 points and all that, but I felt like our race car is really fast all year long.

“So I knew we were going to have many opportunities to win. Yeah, we were just able to do that today, and I know we’re going to have more opportunities going forward. It really doesn’t — nothing has changed my confidence. Yeah, I don’t know. Just try to keep executing.”

Aside from Larson and his No. 5 team’s incredible performance, Sunday’s win at Richmond was special considering it fell on what would have been Ricky Hendrick’s 40th birthday.

After some quick repairs before Stage 3, Larson and his No. 5 team capitalized at Richmond. (Photo: Mitchell Richtmyre | The Podium Finish)

After some quick repairs before Stage 3, Larson and his No. 5 team capitalized at Richmond. (Photo: Mitchell Richtmyre | The Podium Finish)

“It’s really cool,” he said. “We’ve been close to winning a couple. William has been extremely good this year. It was going to be between probably him, the 19, us, and the 20 was really good. So just things worked out. My pit crew had a great stop. Great day for them guys. What an awesome Hendrickcars.com Chevy. I can’t say enough about it.”

Although Larson enjoyed his first win of the year, his interim teammate, Berry, was as gleeful as if he won the race as well.

“Man, this is really cool,” Berry, the race runner-up, said. “I have to give all the credit to this NAPA team. I’m so glad they tried something different to get us there at the end. I felt like we were decent the whole time. Just getting in cleaner air (was key). We were free to race with Kyle.

“Man, what a huge day. You know, to come here and start in the back, no practice, qualifying, get spun out, work through the field like that, just second place, it’s pretty cool.”

Moreover, Berry and Larson capped off a memorable Sunday afternoon at Richmond Raceway. For the latter, he gave credit to his No. 5 team and his regular crew chief, Cliff Daniels, who is serving his four-race suspension.

Larson logged his 20th career Cup win on Sunday at Richmond. (Photo: Trish McCormack | The Podium Finish)

Larson logged his 20th career Cup win on Sunday at Richmond. (Photo: Trish McCormack | The Podium Finish)

“Thanks to everyone on this team, Cliff Daniels, for everything he does to prepare the team to be as strong as we are without him on the box,” Larson said. “So good to get a win, and hopefully many more.”

Perhaps Larson and his No. 5 team capture a potential victory next Sunday night at Bristol Motor Speedway (7 p.m. ET on FOX and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). In the meantime, Larson has a dirt late model race at Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tennessee to consider on Thursday night.

Stage 1 Top 10 Finishers

Byron-Larson-Chastain-Harvick-Logano/Reddick-Bowman-Bell-Keselowski

Stage 2 Top 10 Finishers

Hamlin-Bell-Byron-Truex Jr.-Chastain/Keselowski-Bowman-Larson-Harvick-Gibbs

Toyota Owners 400 Top 10 Finishers at Richmond

Larson-Berry-Chastain-Bell-Harvick/McDowell-Logano-Bowman-Gibbs-Keselowski

 

Rob Tiongson is a 30-something motorsports journalist who enjoys sports like baseball, basketball, football, soccer, track and field and hockey. A Boston native turned Austinite, racing was the first sport that caught his eyes. From interviews to retrospective articles, if it's about anything with an engine and four wheels, it'll be here on TPF, by him or by one of his talented columnists who have a passion for racing. Currently seeking a sports writing, public relations, or sports marketing career, particularly in motorsports. He enjoys editing and writing articles and features, as well as photography. Moreover, he enjoys time with his family and friends, traveling, cooking, working out and being a fun uncle or "funcle" to his nephew, niece and cat. Tiongson, a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, pursues his Master of Arts in Digital Journalism at St. Bonaventure University. Indeed, while Tiongson is proud to be from Massachusetts, he's an everywhere kind of man residing in Texas.

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