When NASCAR races at the track called the “Tricky Triangle” there are often bent fenders and bent feelings by the end. Sunday’s HighPoint.com 400 ended with some seriously bent feelings for Kyle Larson.
The race at Pocono Raceway was typical from the beginning. The first caution came out on lap six for a single car spinning on the track. There would be a total of 11 yellow flags issued during the race including one on the last lap.
Most of the race it appeared that William Byron had the car to beat. He led a race high 60 laps in the 160-lap race. However, it was Joey Logano winning stage one and Kyle Larson winning stage two of the race.
Pit strategy often plays a role in the ultimate outcome of a race on the “Tricky Triangle.” That was the story that was unfolding near the end of the HighPoint.com 400. Because of pit strategy Kyle Larson found himself as the leader on a late-race restart. Denny Hamlin re-started just behind him on the outside row.
Denny was able to pull down to the inside of Kyle going through turn one. He started drifting up to force Kyle high up the track. Denny then made contact with Kyle’s car sending him sliding up and into the wall. While it did not completely wreck Kyle, it did cause him to lose momentum and several spots on the track. Another car spinning back in the field caused a caution to be issued. Kyle drove up under the yellow flag and bumped Denny’s car to show his anger at Denny’s move.
When the green flag waived again Denny was able to hold the lead of the race until the yellow flag was issued on the final lap ending the race. That awarded Denny the win. It was his second win of the 2023 season. It was also Denny’s seventh win in the Cup Series at Pocono Raceway and his 50th career win in NASCAR’s top division.
Tyler Reddick finished in second-place with Martin Truex Jr. taking home third. See the complete race results for the HighPoint.com 400 here.
Martin Truex Jr. remains the leader in the point standings. William Byron holds steady in second-place. Denny Hamlin moves up to third. See the complete NASCAR Cup Series point standings here.
NASCAR goes short trackin’ this week in the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway Sunday, July 30th.
By: Buck Stevens
