Kyle Larson continues to completely smoke the competition in the Cup Series. His latest domination came as NASCAR returned to racing in Music City USA for the Ally 400 at the Nashville Superspeedway.
This was the first time the top division in NASCAR raced in the Nashville area since 1984. The fans and the stars showed up Sunday, Father’s Day, June 20th. They were treated to plenty of side-by-side and bumper-to-bumper racing … behind Kyle Larson.
Kyle led a race high 264 laps in the 300 lap race. Chase Elliott was able to capture the win in stage one of the race. Kyle was the winner of stage two. The only thing that seemed to have a chance at robbing Kyle of the win would be fuel mileage. However, following the final pit stop Kyle was able to both hold the lead and save enough gas to finish the race and do a victory burnout.
This gives Kyle a Cup Series high four wins in the 2021 season. It’s his third consecutive point race win. It’s also been a full month since anybody other than Kyle has been to victory lane in the NASCAR Cup Series including last weekend’s non-point All-Star Race win. Counting today’s win, the finishing position for Kyle in the past six point races have been 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 1st, 1st and 1st. I would say he is trying to cement himself as the favorite for this year’s championship title.
Ross Chastain was able to capture the runner-up finish in today’s race. William Byron finished in third place. Aric Almirola started from the pole position and was able to end in fourth place. Kevin Harvick claimed the fifth place finish. See the complete race results in the Ally 400 here.
Denny Hamlin continues to lead in the point standings even though he has not been able to win a race yet this season. Kyle Larson holds on in second place. William Byron moves up a spot to third place pushing Chase Elliott back a spot to fourth. Joey Logano continues to hold down the fifth place in the point standings. See the complete NASCAR Cup Series point standings here.
With just nine races remaining before the post-season starts, Kyle Larson (4 wins) is at the top of the Playoff outlook. Martin Treux Jr. (3 wins) is second followed by Alex Bowman (2 wins), Joey Logano (1 win) and Ryan Blaney (1 win).
The NASCAR Cup Series will give the drivers a double chance at improving their Playoff Outlook next. Saturday (June 26th) and Sunday (June 27th) is the the Pocono Doubleheader weekend.
By: Buck Stevens
