Kyle Larson scores a spot in the Championship Four in the NASCAR Cup Series Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Only three more races remained before the Championship Four event at Phoenix Raceway. Texas Motor Speedway was the host for the first race in the Round of 8 in the NASCAR Cup Series. The race gave playoff contenders a challenge as Texas Motor Speedway is trickier than what most people think. The track features a slick surface that makes drivers tiptoe around the corners. Also, there are different degrees of banking on opposite ends of the racetrack. One driver was up for the challenge.

The Polesitter, Kyle Larson Leads the Field to the Green Flag

Kyle Larson brought the field to the green flag, and he was able to control the field through the competition caution on lap 25. William Byron came out of the competition caution with the lead.

On the restart, Bubba Wallace lost control of his car coming out of the second turn. He spun and collected fourteen other drivers in the wreck.

Byron continued to lead following the restart. He led for 43 laps until he was passed by Kyle Larson. Larson had to pit a second time under the green flag run, giving Kyle Busch an opportunity.

Busch made the pass on Larson putting him in the lead late in the segment. Kyle Busch continued to lead picking up the first stage win.  

A Battle for the Top Spot to Start the Second Stage

On the restart coming into the next segment, Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch battled for the top spot. The two dueled for four laps until Larson completed the pass for the lead.

After a quick 50 lap run, the caution flag waved for debris. Larson won the race off pit road and restarted with the lead. Controlling the final forty laps Larson went on to win the second stage.

Playoff Problems in the Third Stage  

Stage three became interesting with a few playoff drivers having problems. With Kyle Larson still in control of the race, Joey Logano blew his engine while climbing through the field.

After the cleanup, the field was able to return to racing, but it was not for long. Denny Hamlin lost a tire and spins out. Hamlin continued to have problems through the finish of the race.

Kyle Larson continued to lead through all the carnage, but the field was not done wrecking yet. Martin Truex Jr. and Daniel Suarez also made contact, causing Truex Jr. to slam into the wall.

Kyle Larson Scores a Spot in the Championship Four

There was a two-lap shootout to end the race, and Kyle Larson had to hold off the field. He jumped out to the lead on the restart and did not look back. Larson dominated the whole day and wound up in victory lane at Texas Motor Speedway, clinching a spot in the Championship Four.  

The NASCAR Cup Series Point Standings

Martin Truex Jr. and Joey Logano both had significant issues on Sunday’s race. Both drivers now sit in an uncomfortable situation to try and bounce back from. Logano is 43 points back and does not have much time to gain this back with two races left. Martin Truex Jr. is 22 points back. With two races remaining, he can recover if he can piece together solid finishes. Kansas Speedway and Martinsville Speedway stand in the way, and these two drivers race very well at both. 

Kyle Larson just picked up his eighth win on the season, putting on a clinic for the rest of the playoff field. This is two wins in a row for Larson, and he has all the momentum right now. For him, the next two races will be about acquiring stage points to give him an edge in the championship race at Phoenix.