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Kyle Larson’s Daytona 500 Ends in Frustration

Kyle Larson's promising bid for a Daytona 500 win ended in frustration. (Photo: Jonathan Huff | The Podium Finish)

Kyle Larson’s promising bid for a Daytona 500 win ended in frustration. (Photo: Jonathan Huff | The Podium Finish)

The typically calculative Kyle Larson found himself in position for a seemingly elusive Daytona 500 on Sunday.

In his eight prior starts, the 29-year-old Elk Grove, California native’s best finish were a couple of eighth place results scored in 2017 and 2019. While the finish in 2019 was a byproduct of survival in a crash laden “Great American Race,” the 2017 finish stings a bit at the defending NASCAR Cup Series champion’s heart.

This year’s race seemed quite different for the skillful but reserved Larson. After all, superspeedways tend to be his Achilles’ heel, a type of track where the drivers are at the mercy of factors outside of their control, including their fellow peers on the track.

Certainly, Larson kicked off his week rather emphatically with a strong pole position run during Wednesday’s front row qualifying round. Despite the Californian downplaying his chances at a front row spot during Daytona 500 Media Day, he showcased the incredible pace of his No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevy Camaro.

Lady Luck treated Larson and his team kindly during Thursday’s Bluegreen Vacations Duels with a respectable seventh place finish. Perhaps the 10th year Cup racer had some tricks up his sleeve for the big race.

Larson and his Hendrick Motorsports teammates logged valuable laps during Friday's penultimate practice round. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)

Larson and his Hendrick Motorsports teammates logged valuable laps during Friday’s penultimate practice round. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)

Staying out of trouble during Friday’s penultimate practice rounds, Larson and his Hendrick Motorsports teammates, Chase Elliott, William Byron and Alex Bowman, drafted together, swapping positions to simulate the shuffling of Daytona pack racing.

Although Larson did not partake in the final practice session on Saturday, “Yung Money” and his band of brothers seemed confident in their stealthy Next Gen car. Undoubtedly, the 16-time Cup race winner was not going to show his prime cards at the unpredictable 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway.

On Sunday, Larson was patient, calm and confident with his car, even with the constant shuffling and elusive dance partners on the track. When he’d fall a few positions down the scoring order, he’d work his way up the field moments later.

Good fortunes seemed to be on Larson’s side as he avoided the eight car, lap 63 backstretch accident that eliminated his teammates, Byron and Bowman. In fact, he placed ninth in stages 1 and 2, earning valuable four total stage points for the new season.

As the field prepared for the final stage, Larson steadily moved his way up the pack, climbing as high as ninth in the final 15 laps. Like the first two stages, he was shuffled toward the back of the lead pack.

Rallying up to the ninth spot, Larson seemed poised to make a last second charge for a 500 win with 11 laps to go. Approaching the stripe for the final 10 laps, Larson’s well intentioned pass against eighth place runner Kevin Harvick went awry.

Larson looks to rebound from his latest Daytona debacle. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)

Larson looks to rebound from his latest Daytona debacle. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)

Larson’s contact with Harvick set off a chain reaction accident that resulted in some hard hits against the frontstretch tri-oval SAFER barrier and the No. 43 of Erik Jones. Instead of a potentially great finish or a possible Daytona 500 win, Larson’s once pristine ride was decimated by race ending damage.

“It’s disappointing,” Larson said after being released from the infield care center. “I had a run there on the No. 4 (Harvick). I didn’t realize how close he was to the No. 17 (Chris Buescher). I got to him right as he was getting to him and it got him out of shape.

“I hate that I did that. It’s so hard see in front of him, especially on the straightaway like that. I didn’t realize how close he was to him and it just got him all jacked up. I hate that it ended our day, as well as a bunch of others. Our No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevy was fast.”

Sometimes, champions commit mistakes despite a relatively smooth, efficient performance. Even the most dominant driver from last year’s NASCAR Cup Series season hits a snag when things seemingly went otherwise right.

Much like stick and ball athletes, Larson can rebound from a tough Daytona with a shinier race at Fontana. (Photo: Jonathan Huff | The Podium Finish)

Much like stick and ball athletes, Larson can rebound from a tough Daytona with a shinier race at Fontana. (Photo: Jonathan Huff | The Podium Finish)

Fortunately, for the likes of Larson and his peers who had less than ideal results at Daytona, Auto Club Speedway awaits for this Sunday’s WISE Power 400 at the 2-mile Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. The action kicks off on Saturday, Feb. 26 brief minute practice session at 2 p.m. ET before qualifying kicks off at 2:35 p.m. ET.

Ultimately, Larson looks to capture his second Auto Club Speedway win in the 200 lap, 400 mile race on Sunday, Feb. 27, at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

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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