Kyle Larson wins the closest race in NASCAR history!

Larson benefited from a neutralization in the final laps of the event to start third, behind leader Denny Hamlin (Gibbs) and Chris Buescher, second. The driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports tried his luck from the restart, diving inside the two men in front of him. It was Buescher who emerged in the lead of the first two turns, ahead of Larson.

Whoever will attempt to qualify for the Indy 500 later this month then came back to Buescher, and in Turn 3 the two men positioned themselves side by side, flirting with the outside wall and with one goal, to beat the other on the line. The #17 Ford seemed to hold the advantage before two contacts in the final straight, and it was ultimately the #5 Chevrolet which won by 0, the narrowest gap in the history of the race. NASCAR !

“My car was running really well and I was able to have a run. I got through turns 1 and 2 well before the back straight, I came back on Chris. I forced him to enter a little less force into turn 3 by trying my luck hard on the outside”, explained Larson after his victory. “I wasn't sure we were going to be able to come out ahead! I slid a lot in the center of the corner, then I tried not to be too far in front of him so I could use the side-draft. I was trying to kill his run on me, it was crazy! »

UNBELIEVABLE FINISH! KYLE LARSON WINS AT KANSAS. WOW. pic.twitter.com/O7K3pOnmTw

- FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 6, 2024

Hamlin, the joke turkey?

Behind the two protagonists of this finish for History, we found Chase Elliott (Hendrick) at only 0″059, and Martin Truex Jr. (Gibbs), at 0″075! Denny Hamlin, who was leading the race at the time of the restart, had to settle for fifth place.

The number 11 driver had won the first segment of the race (Buscher winning the second), and was leading before Kyle Busch (Childress) spun at the end of the race. Hamlin saved fuel, while his teammate Truex Jr. came back strong, being able to use more gas. Neutralization redistributed the cards.

While magnificent fights took place in the first half of the race, notably between Hamlin, Larson and Ross Chastain (Trackhouse), the race became agitated from the 176th lap, with four exits from the safety car in just a few laps . The event was started three hours late due to rain, but was able to take place without further interruption from Mother Nature. The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season continues this weekend at Darlington, for the traditional “Throwback Weekend”, where the majority of the field will wear liveries paying homage to the history of the sport.

Kansas – Ranking