Bristol Motor Speedway witnessed a powerful weekend as Kyle Larson swept two major NASCAR races and dedicated his wins to his friend and public relations representative, Jon Edwards. The high-banked short track set the stage for Larson to display both skill and resilience in the face of personal loss.
Leading a staggering 411 of 500 laps, Larson’s win in the Food City 500 capped off a weekend of dominance that began in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and nearly extended into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. With this performance, Larson not only proved his prowess on the track but also showed heart and character off of it.
Key Highlights
- Kyle Larson sweeps NASCAR races at Bristol, dedicating his wins to Jon Edwards’ memory.
- Larson’s flawless Cup Series run, leading 411 laps and holding off Denny Hamlin’s challenge.
- Larson’s Xfinity win and near-perfect weekend, nearly sweeping NASCAR’s top three series.
- Denny Hamlin pushes hard but finishes second, acknowledging Larson’s dominant performance and racing legacy.
- Notable performances: Chase Briscoe finishes fourth, William Byron climbs from 26th to sixth at Bristol.
Kyle Larson’s Flawless Cup Series Run
On Sunday, Larson piloted the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to his second NASCAR Cup Series victory of the 2025 season. This marked his second straight win at Bristol and the 31st of his career. From the early stages, Larson showed no signs of slowing down. He took control after pole-sitter Alex Bowman led the opening laps, then never looked back. Larson won both Stage 1 and Stage 2, holding off strong charges from Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs of Joe Gibbs Racing.
“This one’s definitely for Jon. He’s just a great guy. Successful weekend here. Wish he was going to be here with us to celebrate, but I know he’s celebrating with us in spirit.”
“Just a flawless race once again here at Bristol for the 5 team. Really, really good car. That was a lot of fun.” – Kyle Larson
The long green-flag runs showcased Larson’s ability to maintain control over his car and his competitors. The final 235 laps ran caution-free, a true test of endurance and concentration. Despite a minor scrape with the wall with five laps to go, Larson maintained his lead and crossed the finish line 2.250 seconds ahead of Hamlin.
Weekend Sweep and Near Perfection
Larson’s weekend began with a dominant showing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday, where he also came out on top. On Friday, he finished second in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, narrowly missing a full weekend sweep. These performances underline his versatility and consistency across NASCAR’s top three series.
“However many laps of green we ran there was a lot of fun. I was pretty comfortable with things, and then Denny came on really strong there before the pit cycle and kind of kept the pressure on from there.” – Kyle Larson
The win at Thunder Valley added to his growing legacy on short tracks. It was also a moment of emotional weight for the entire Hendrick Motorsports team, who had just lost a key figure in their communications and personal support network. Jeff Gordon even commented, noting that the victory was one Larson had promised would be “for Jon.”
Denny Hamlin Pushes Hard, but Falls Short
Denny Hamlin was Larson’s closest challenger throughout the race. At times, especially before the final pit cycle, Hamlin closed the gap to under a second. However, Larson handled lapped traffic with precision, never giving Hamlin a true opportunity to make a move for the lead.
Despite falling just short of a third consecutive Cup Series victory, Hamlin praised Larson’s execution and the performance of the No. 5 team. Ty Gibbs, also from Joe Gibbs Racing, finished third—6.679 seconds behind Larson. The strong performance from JGR was rounded out by Christopher Bell, who finished eighth.
“You have to give that team their due — just a dominant performance. It looked like a pretty flawless day for them. It looked pretty easy. It was all I had to try to keep up there. I’m glad we were able to give him a little bit of a run with our Progressive Toyota.
“But this weekend, we are all thinking about Jon Edwards’ family, (racing journalist) Al Pearce, (team owner) Shige Hattori (all of whom passed away within the last eight days). We’ve lost a lot of great people in our sport over the last week, so our thoughts are with them.”
“Wish we could have got one more spot, but I just wanted to keep him honest there at the end. That was all I was trying to do, but he was a little too much to handle.” – Denny Hamlin
Chase Briscoe brought home a strong fourth-place result for Stewart-Haas Racing. Ryan Blaney, who led 48 laps during an extended green-flag run late in the race, rounded out the top five.
Notable Finishes and Race Insights
Alex Bowman, who started from the pole, led the first 39 laps but suffered engine failure that ended his day early. Still, his performance in Stage 1 helped secure valuable points before his early exit.
William Byron, starting deep in the field in 26th, made a significant charge to finish sixth. Ross Chastain came home seventh, while AJ Allmendinger managed a ninth-place finish as the last driver on the lead lap. Austin Dillon completed the top ten, finishing one lap down.
The concrete surface at Bristol did not behave as expected. Unlike predictions from Saturday’s practice, the surface rubbered in well, and tire wear was not as significant a factor. Ryan Blaney ran an impressive 175 laps on a single set of tires, showcasing how the race evolved into a battle of strategy and consistency.
News in Brief: Kyle Larson Rules Thunder Valley
Kyle Larson’s commanding win at Bristol stands as one of the most memorable moments of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season so far. It was not just a race victory, but a heartfelt tribute to a team member who played a crucial role behind the scenes. In sweeping the weekend’s major races and fending off the best competition in the sport, Larson reminded everyone of his skill and determination.
The performance also solidified his place as a top contender in this year’s championship battle and provided a moment of unity and remembrance for the NASCAR community. As the season continues, Larson’s emotional triumph at Bristol will be remembered as more than just another win—it was a moment of purpose, passion, and pride.
ALSO READ: Complete Breakdown of Every Xfinity Finisher at Bristol – Kyle Larson Wins for a Friend
