Kyle Larson picks up fifth Cup Series win this season in the Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on Sunday afternoon.
After the three-week Olympic break, the NASCAR Cup Series continues with the 2021 campaign, with a return to Watkins Glen International for an all-important road course race. Only four races remain on the regular-season schedule before the playoffs begin. Many teams are still right on edge.
Brad Keselowski on the Pole
In the top spot, Brad Keselowski takes the green flag with the lead. He led the first ten laps of the race before spinning out in the sixth turn. The caution did not come out for this incident, but it did come out on lap 12 as the scheduled competition caution.
Joey Logano cycled into the lead after the caution. Despite having a radio issue, he was able to lead the remaining eight laps in the first stage to and catch the victory.
Short Time in the Lead for Stenhouse
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. leads the way at the start of the second stage. His lead was short-lived as it was interrupted by a caution four laps into the segment.
Martin Truex Jr. took over as the race leader and dominated the entire segment. With no contenders for the race lead, Truex Jr. led 15 straight laps to win the second stage.
Kyle Larson Picks Up Fifth Cup Series Win of the Season
The start of the last segment is 46-laps where fuel strategy becomes important. Martin Truex Jr. continued to lead through the opening laps. He led for fourteen laps until he was forced to come down pit road for fuel.
Kyle Larson followed closely behind in second place. Larson had a better stop than Truex Jr. did, and it was Kyle Larson exiting pit road to assume the race lead. Once everyone cycled down pit road, Kyle Larson took over the race lead with 26 laps remaining.
Chase Elliott made a late push on Kyle Larson, but it was too late for Elliott to make any ground. Kyle Larson wins his fifth race of the year at Watkins Glen International.
The Go Bowling at The Glen Results
It has been a magical return for Kyle Larson as he has passed his career season-high win mark. In 2017 Larson won four total races, and this win at Watkins Glen puts him over the mark.
Kyle Larson is also tied at the top of the points standings with Denny Hamlin. Both have 917 total points for the 2021 season, with three races left before the regular season champion is crowned.
The Cup Series still has to race at Michigan International Speedway. A track that Kyle Larson is comfortable racing. Expect the bout for the regular-season crown to become more competitive over the next couple of weeks.