Kyle Larson’s dramatic Brickyard 400 win last season remains a key moment for the NASCAR Cup Series, especially as he prepares to defend his title at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In this Kyle Larson Brickyard 400 win recap, we explore the defining moments and unexpected twists that transformed a race filled with setbacks into a remarkable victory for Larson and his Hendrick Motorsports team.
A Race Marked by Challenges and Recovery
Coming off a recent fourth-place finish at Dover, Kyle Larson and the No. 5 Chevrolet found renewed form after a difficult stretch of races. That performance at the Monster Mile gave the team a timely boost, but heading into Indianapolis, the task of winning the Brickyard 400 again required resilience and adaptability. Last year’s edition was anything but straightforward for Larson, who faced one challenge after another on the legendary track.
Starting from the fifth spot, Larson showed speed early, with the Chevy holding pace against top competitors. Denny Hamlin, driving the No. 11, captured the first stage, while Larson secured a strong second-place finish as the race intensified. Difficulties soon followed, however, as mechanical troubles and an unfavorable pit stop shook up the team’s momentum. It was a grind against adversity, but every setback forced Larson and Hendrick Motorsports to dig deeper.
The critical moment came on lap 70 when a pit stop issue involving a stubborn lug nut forced an unscheduled delay. That complication was only the beginning. Early in the closing stage, Larson made contact with Martin Truex Jr., sending Truex into the wall, while Larson managed to keep his car on track. A late pit stop with under 32 laps remaining pushed Larson all the way back to twelfth place, a position that would deter most drivers. Defying expectations, he carved his way back through the field, showing determination and persistence.
Late-Race Turns: How Timing and Opportunity Shaped the Victory
As the laps counted down, the race took an unexpected turn. Brad Keselowski, who led the race as the finish neared, ran out of fuel with three laps to go—this surprise, combined with a timely caution, created the opportunity Larson needed. The caution allowed him to restart from a prime position on the inside lane, and with a bold move against Ryan Blaney, he surged to the front. Through multiple overtime restarts, Larson managed to hold off every challenge, claiming victory and partaking in the iconic celebration by kissing the bricks at the Yard of Bricks.
Larson Reflects on the Turning Point and Race Strategy
Leading up to this year’s return to Indianapolis, Larson shared his perspective on how last season’s chaotic race ultimately worked in his favor.
Our race kind of got a little sideways with the pit stop issue we had, but in turn I think that helped us win because it got us on a different strategy, off strategy a little bit, where we had more fuel on board for those final 30 laps,
—Kyle Larson, Driver
He explained that the sequence of events, though stressful, gave him a strategic edge as others faced fuel constraints.
The rest of the field, or at least a group of them ahead of us, had to save fuel. At the end of the long straightaways, there were some accordion effects happening, and I could start making some moves to work my way forward.
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Larson also described the pivotal moment when fate seemed to intervene as Keselowski’s car ran dry just before a restart.
Then Brad [Keselowski] ran out of fuel as we were lining up for one of the final restarts, and I inherited the preferred lane on the front row,
—Kyle Larson, Driver
He expressed his sense of wonder at how everything lined up for the team at the crucial moment.
Getting the lead was surreal. Everything kind of happened in a way that felt like it was meant to be for us to win that race that day.
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Looking Ahead: Can Larson Capture Brickyard Glory Again?
With the new season’s Brickyard 400 approaching, Larson brings both confidence and caution after a strong qualifying performance, set to start thirteenth. The dynamic of race strategy, pit stop timing, and the ever-present possibility of unpredictability will again be decisive at Indianapolis. Teammates, opponents such as Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney, leading contenders like Brad Keselowski, and rising Cup Series drivers hope to shape a different outcome, but Larson’s experience shows that tenacity and a bit of racing luck can still swing the result.
For Hendrick Motorsports and the broader NASCAR community, the story of last year’s Brickyard 400 remains a testament to making the most of setbacks. With teams bringing their best to Indianapolis and drivers hoping to taste victory at Victory Lane, fans and insiders alike will be watching closely to see if Larson can once more channel strategy and resilience into a winning formula at Indy’s iconic track.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Kyle Larson better than Verstappen?
A. Larson may not beat Verstappen in Formula 1, but he’s more skilled in different racing styles. Bianchi believes Larson’s achievements are broader. He wins in many different kinds of cars, showing his wide-ranging talent.
Q. What caused Kyle Larson to crash?
A. FOX Sports reporter Bob Pockrass shared Kyle Larson’s comments on social media a day after the crash. Larson explained that the accident happened because of a broken axle.
Q. Asked about Larson’s claim on Thursday, he had just two coy words: Asked Max Verstappen for his response to Kyle Larson’s comments about being a better all-round driver – Max just smiled and said: \x26quot;That’s fine. Everyone thinks their own way, right?\x26quot; With a quick detour to another sport, let me put it this way.
A. How did Max Verstappen react to Kyle Larson?
Max Verstappen responded to Kyle Larson’s comments by sharing a respectful yet firm perspective. He acknowledged Larson’s skills as a driver, but stood by his own experiences and opinions. Verstappen maintained a balanced tone, aiming for mutual respect while expressing his thoughts.
