Kyle Larson Pit Lane Drama: In an unexpected twist to the Championship 4 saga, Kyle Larson, who surprisingly didnt make it to Dale Earnhardt Jr.s Championship 4 prediction list, faced a shocking turn at Homestead Miami Speedway. Larson was riding high on confidence, believing all he needed was to maintain his momentum for Phoenix.
But Kyle Larson was fiercely competing for the lead against Ryan Blaney. Many spectators and insiders pointed fingers at the #5s excessive speed as the culprit behind the mishap. However, an astute NASCAR analyst has recently shed light on the incident, offering a fresh perspective backed by intriguing statistics.
Chasing Ryan Blaney for the lead, both roared into the pit lane together. But Blaney put on the brakes a tad before Kyle Larson. Suddenly, #5 found himself going too fast, and with the clock ticking, he nudged Blaneys rear end before swerving right. In the blink of an eye, he side-swiped the barrels, wrecking a few in his wake, and then continued his pit lane quest. After a thorough check, his team deemed the car unfit for the race.
Kyle Larsons initial reaction hinted at Blaneys unexpected slowdown. But a replay from a different angle made it look like Larson was the one making a hasty entrance. A sneak peek from his on-board cam showed the sudden proximity, leaving him with scant seconds to decide. Blaneys prudence in approaching the pit isnt uncommon in high-octane races. The dramatic episode led to a red-flag halt for some quick barrier fixes.
The pit lane drama had tongues wagging, with many pointing fingers at Larsons alleged overspeeding as the culprit for the barrel debacle. Enter Steve Letarte, a former HMS employee turned NASCAR analyst who came armed with data to debunk the speeding myth. He clarified, The professor has some datait goes start to finish line to the commitment line. So not a lap, but you go by the start-finish line, you run your lap, you come to the pit road. Larsonthat was his third attempt for the day, right? Because they had 2 green flag pit stops.
That time where he hit the barrels was the same exact time, maybe a touch slower than the time before that he pitted and was fine. So, now listen, it was still his mistake. You cannot pretend Blaney is not there. But for all those people that make it sound likeway too fast, was never going to make pit road, I call bullsh*t, Steve added further.
Had Kyle Larson truly been overspeeding, the rulebook wouldve slapped him with a penalty during his earlier pit stop. But, since that card was never played, its unfair to lay all blame on Larsons doorstep. His racing prowess even earned nods of appreciation from a former NASCAR bigwig.
Rick Hendrick might just have a new golden boy in Kyle Larson, whos gearing up to battle it out for the Cup at Phoenix. Hes clearly in it to win it, pushing his limits at Homestead even when he didnt have to. His pedal-to-the-metal approach at Homestead wasnt out of obligation; it was pure, unadulterated passion. And guess whos singing his praises? The notoriously discerning Kyle Petty.
Petty weighed in, saying, I think we saw how theyll (Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell) race (at Martinsville) last week. When you look at Kyle Larson, Kyle Larson was trying to get everything he could come to pit road. He wasnt just floating of the pit road. He was still intense; 10/10 is what he was driving. He was trying to make something happen for Kyle Larson in that team. His intensity levels up. I think it was with Christopher Bell, same thing, man.
So, while were all secretly (or not-so-secretly) cheering for Kyle Larson to nab another win, were curious: Whos your pick for the Martinsville victory and a coveted spot in Championship 4?
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Our Reader’s Queries
What happened to Larson at Homestead?
Larson trailed race leader Ryan Blaney into pit road, but unfortunately, he was unable to slow down in time and crashed into the barrier. Larson apologized to his crew, admitting that he did not anticipate Blaney’s sudden decrease in speed.
What did Kyle Larson buy from Tony Stewart?
Kyle Larson and Brad Sweet have made a bold move by purchasing the sprint car series from Tony Stewart. The duo has gone ‘all in’ with this decision, showing their commitment to the sport. With their expertise and passion for racing, they are sure to take the series to new heights. This acquisition is a testament to their dedication and love for the sport, and we can’t wait to see what they have in store for the future.
Who owns Kyle Larson Sprint car?
2021 NASCAR champion Larson and five-time World of Outlaws champion Brad Sweet are the founders and owners of High Limit Racing.
Are Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell friends?
Although we may only be acquaintances, our friendship is strong and we always support each other. Our relationship is truly one-of-a-kind. Larson admitted that he has been the one to initiate their racing battles throughout the years. This is due to his memories of Bell’s impressive ability to outrun him in midgets, a feat that most people cannot accomplish.
