Kyle Larson brought his best to Bristol Motor Speedway, delivering a nearly perfect performance in the SciAps 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race. From the start, Larson showed he was the driver to beat, leading the most laps and finishing far ahead of the competition. His win was more than just another victory—it was a tribute to a close friend and a demonstration of skill that few drivers could match.
Key Highlights
- Kyle Larson led 277 of 300 laps, winning dominantly at Bristol in the SciAps 300.
- Victory was an emotional tribute to Larson’s late PR representative and close friend, Jon Edwards.
- Carson Kvapil secured second place, matching his best finish after strong late-race performance improvements.
- Justin Allgaier finished third and earned a $100,000 Dash 4 Cash bonus despite late challenges.
- A major crash involving Sheldon Creed and Brennan Poole paused the race for over 14 minutes.
A Race to Remember for Kyle Larson
Starting from the pole position, Kyle Larson led 277 of the 300 laps on the high-banked half-mile track, showing why he is one of the best in the sport. Driving the No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Larson left no doubt about who was in control. By the time the checkered flag waved, only 12 cars remained on the lead lap.
Larson’s win wasn’t just about speed. It also carried personal meaning. Just days before the race, his friend and longtime PR representative, Jon Edwards, passed away suddenly. After the race, Larson shared how much the win meant to him.
“It’s awesome,” Larson said. “I wish I could have won last night – just came up a little bit short. It’s cool to get a win this weekend for Jon and everybody who’s been a part of his life.”
Larson had also raced in the NASCAR Truck Series the night before, finishing second. He now looked ahead to Sunday’s Cup Series race, hoping for a sweep of the weekend in honor of Edwards.
Carson Kvapil and Justin Allgaier Battle Behind the Leader
While Larson was in control for most of the race, the fight behind him was competitive. Carson Kvapil earned a career-best second-place finish, passing series points leader Justin Allgaier in traffic with just two laps to go. Kvapil, who drives the No. 1 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, said his team improved the car during every pit stop, giving him a shot at the front late in the race.
“We just kept working on it and made it better and better every pit stop,” Kvapil said. “I felt like toward the end we had a pretty fast car, but there was just so much traffic.”
Allgaier, who finished third, took home his seventh Dash 4 Cash bonus—a special $100,000 award given to the highest-finishing driver among four selected competitors. Even though he missed the win, he was proud to help three JR Motorsports drivers qualify for the next Dash 4 Cash event.
“I’m just bummed about the day a little bit, to come out of here in third,” Allgaier said. “But to lock three of the four [JR Motorsports drivers] into the next Dash 4 Cash is huge.”
Sammy Smith came in fourth and Brandon Jones took fifth, rounding out a strong day for JR Motorsports and ensuring their spots in the next bonus race.
Cautions, Crashes, and Comeback
The race had its share of drama. Larson seemed to be headed for a wire-to-wire win in Stage 1 before a crash brought out the caution. Sheldon Creed spun after contact from Dean Thompson, and Brennan Poole hit Creed’s car hard in a violent crash. Both drivers were checked and released from the infield care center, but the accident took out two of the four Dash 4 Cash contenders.
NASCAR paused the race with a red flag for over 14 minutes. When the race resumed, some drivers stayed out during pit stops, allowing Sam Mayer and Ryan Sieg to take Stage 1. But after they pitted, Larson quickly reclaimed the lead and won Stage 2 by nearly nine seconds.
The final stage included a brief moment when Allgaier passed Larson on a restart, but Larson didn’t stay behind for long. Ten laps later, Larson moved Allgaier up the track with a gentle bump and retook the lead.
Late in the race, a crash involving lapped traffic caused more trouble. Allgaier was blocked by a slower car just as he was trying to chase Larson, and a collision between Mason Massey and William Sawalich ended Sawalich’s strong run in the top ten. Still, Allgaier held on for third, and Larson pulled away for the win.
Post-race inspection confirmed Larson as the winner, although Allgaier’s car was found to have one loose lug nut. This will result in a fine but does not affect his finishing position.
News In Brief : Kyle Larson Dominates Xfinity Race at Bristol
Kyle Larson’s performance at Bristol was not just dominant—it was nearly flawless. Leading the most laps, handling traffic with ease, and racing with purpose, Larson reminded fans why he is one of the most talented drivers in NASCAR. His win served as a tribute to a friend and showed the strength of his team at Hendrick Motorsports.
For the rest of the field, there were mixed emotions. Carson Kvapil and Justin Allgaier put in strong efforts and earned valuable rewards, but no one could touch Larson’s speed. As the Xfinity Series moves to Rockingham next weekend, the final Dash 4 Cash bonus is on the line for Kvapil, Allgaier, Smith, and Jones. But for now, all eyes are on Larson—and rightly so.
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