The NASCAR Cup Series is three races into the season with three different winners thus far. It has been an extremely entertaining first couple of weeks, as teams begin to settle in for the long haul. The NASCAR Cup Series headed out west for a showdown in the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Being three races in, it was expected that NASCAR’s veterans would begin to return to the top after a lackluster start to the season by many teams.
Elliott and Keselowski Battle for the First Stage Win
Kevin Harvick took the green flag Sunday afternoon from the pole position. He did not hold the lead for long after William Byron made the pass for the lead on the opening lap. William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Kyle Larson took control of the top three in the early going. Byron was passed by Elliott on lap twenty as the race neared the competition caution. William Byron was able to pass Chase Elliott for the lead before the caution came out.
Kyle Larson won the race off pit road during the break and controlled the field to the restart. Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson battled for the lead for 16 laps before another caution came out for debris.
As the first stage came to a close. Chase Elliott and Brad Keselowski fought hard for the lead. Both drivers swapped positions for ten laps until Brad Keselowski sealed off Elliott. Brad Keselowski wins the first stage.
Kyle Larson Sets the Bar by Winning the Second Stage
Denny Hamlin cycled into the lead during the stage break. Brad Keselowski was able to take the lead on the backstretch on the opening lap of the stage.
Then, 19 laps into the segment, Kyle Larson gained on Brad Keselowski enough to make a move for the lead. Larson was able to return to the lead running the bottom.
The field began to cycle down pit road under the green flag. Kyle Larson was able to return to the lead as the field completed the pitting cycle. The entirety of the second stage ran caution-free. Kyle Larson continued to pave the way and win the second stage by a margin of three seconds.
Larson Conquers Las Vegas in the Third Stage
Although Kyle Larson retained the lead under the stage break, Denny Hamlin was able to claim an early lead in the final stage. Hamlin continued to lead for thirty laps before he encountered issues with lapped traffic. Slower cars held up Hamlin and allowed Kyle Larson to move around and retake the lead.
The remainder of the third segment ran green with one more pit cycle at 35 laps remaining. Larson cycled into the lead and had a large margin to close out his victory. Kyle Larson conquers Las Vegas Motor Speedway by winning the Pennzoil 400.
The Pennzoil 400 Race Results
The Larson Victory is Huge
This is Kyle Larson’s first win since he returned to the Cup Series at the start of this season. Emotions were high as this is a huge win for Larson so early in the season.
Larson was grateful for Hendrick Motor Sports saying, “It feels good. I guess I didn’t know if I’d ever have an opportunity to win a NASCAR race again. To get this awesome opportunity with Hendrick Motorsports and Mr. H taking a massive chance on me, then going out there and being strong all year, it’s been great-”
The NASCAR Cup Series Point Standings
Kyle Larson worked hard to better himself over the offseason, and it is great to see him in victory lane once again. Larson is a rising talent within the sport and will certainly be an ambassador as his career progresses.
Larson has a strong opening month with two top-five finishes within the first four races. It seems this team is extremely strong this year.
The Cup Series is now racing at three short tracks in the next four races. With Bristol on dirt, Kyle Larson will feel right at home.