Kyle Larson scored another win in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Season by getting his first career win at Watkins Glen International in the Go Bowling at The Glen.
Sunday afternoon’s race (8/8) looked to be a battle between Team Penske and Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) at the beginning. Team Penske’s Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano started from the front row. Brad led the first nine laps and Joey the next 11 laps. Joey was able to capture the win in Stage One of the race.
JGR drivers Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin also found themselves racing at the front of the field for most of the day. Martin led the most laps in the race with 34 laps out front and was the winner of Stage Two of the race.
However, Kyle Larson was also racing in the top 10 most of the day. He finished Stage One in the second place position and Stage Two as the fourth place car. In the final stage of the race he would make his move to win the race.
Kyle took over the lead with 26 laps remaining in the 90 lap race. There would not really be a challenge to Kyle the rest of the race. Kyle’s Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) teammate Chase Elliott raced from the back of the field to look like he could have something for Kyle. However, he just didn’t have enough laps the get close enough to try.
In the end it was Kyle Larson (HMS) easily capturing his first ever NASCAR Cup Series checkered flag at Watkins Glen International. This gives him a series leading five wins in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Chase Elliott (HMS) scored the runner-up finish with Martin Truex Jr. (JGR) in third place. Fourth place went to Kyle Busch (JGR) and Denny Hamlin (JGR) rounded out the top five. See the complete race results for the Go Bowling at The Gen here.
With the win, Kyle Larson (HMS) was able to tie Denny Hamlin (JGR) in the point standings. Due to his five wins to Denny having none, the lead in the point standings goes to Kyle pushing Denny back to second place. This is important for two reasons. The winner of the Regular Season Championship is guaranteed a spot in the Playoffs with or without a win during the regular season. Denny does not currently have a win. If there are three new inners in the final three races of the regular season and Denny does not either win or regain the point lead, he will not be in the post-season.
The Regular Season Champion also gets 15 bonus Playoff Points. Those points will help that driver throughout the post-season. Kyle Larson already has the most wins and the most Playoff Points. If he can add an additional 15 to his total it would go a long way in helping make sure he is in the Championship Four for the final race of the season and the championship.
William Byron (HMS) sits in third place in the point standings. Kyle Busch (JGR) holds the fourth spot and Joey Logano (Team Penske) rounds out the top five. See the complete NASCAR Cup Series Point Standings here.
As far as the Playoff Outlook goes, Kyle Larson (HMS) also sits at the top of that list. Martin Truex Jr. (JGR) ranks second with Kyle Busch (JGR) ranking third. Chase Elliott (HMS) is ranked fourth with William Byron (HMS) ranked fifth.
Next up for the drivers and teams is another road course race with the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course Sunday, August 15th.
By: Buck Stevens
