Larson Masters the Monster Mile

Kyle Larson wins the 2019 Drydene 400 at Dover International Speedway on Sunday afternoon to advance the Chip-Ganassi driver to the third round of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR playoffs. 

DOVER – October 6, 2019 – Anthony Holbrook – BSN

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 4thPlayoff race  traveled to Dover Delaware  October 6^th for the Drydene 400 , hosted by Dover International Speedway.   The track features one layout:  a mile concrete oval with 24 and 9 Degree’s banking in the turns and straight away, respectfully.

Drydene 400 – Stage 1

Pole sitter Denny Hamlin – Driver of the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 Toyota captures the first Stage segment in a dominating fashion

No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Driver –Martin Truex Jr. and No. 42 Kyle Larson followed Hamlin across the checkers.

In addition, Playoff Drivers- No. 22 Penske Driver – Joey Logano and No. 9 Hendrick Driver-  Chase Elliott had their day at the races ruined with major issues with their cars inside 10 laps. Eliminating any hopeful contention for a promising race finish for either teams. .

Hamlin was trying to win at Dover for the first time in 28 races.

Drydene 400 – STAGE 1 – Results.

1. Denny Hamlin
2. Martin Trux jr.
3. Kyle Larson
4. William Byron
5. Kevin Harvick
6. Alex Bowman
7. Jimmie Johnson
8. Kyle Bush
9. Erik Jones
10. Ryan Blaney

  Drydene 400 – Stage 2

After leading 219 laps, Denny Hamlin’s Toyota began to show signs of fading late in Stage 2, the field capitalized as Driver of the No. 19 Toyota – Martin Truex Jr. excelled past his teammate for the Stage win.

 Kyle Larson finished 2^nd while Denny Hamlin settled for the sand box, rounding out Stage 2 top 3.

Drydrene 400 – STAGE 2 – Results

1. Martin Truex Jr.
2. Kyle Larson
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Kevin Harvick
5. Jimmie Johnson
6. Alex Bowman
7. Erik Jones
8. Ryan Blaney
9. Brad Keselowski
10. Clint Bowyer

Drydene 400 – Final Stage

Martin Truex jr. was victorious in the previous spring race at Dover ,  but ran out of time and real-estate down the stretch ,  trying to reel in Kyle Larson’s No. 42 Chevy.

Kyle Larson will be the first of 12 playoff contenders to punch his ticket to the field of the elite eight.

Larson has six career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup victories and his first one in the playoffs. Out of the 154 laps led by Larson, the final lap presented him the win.  Larson broke a 75 race (points) winless drought with significant win at Dover. 

NASCAR playoff drivers took the top six spots:  No. 19 Martin Truex Jr. finished second, followed by No. 88 Alex Bowman, No. 4 Kevin Harvick,  No. 11 Denny Hamlin and No. 18 Kyle Bush.

 Drydene 400 – Final Results

1. Kyle Larson
2. Martin Truex Jr.
3. Alex Bowman
4. Kevin Harvick
5. Denny Hamlin
6. Kyle Busch
7. Matt DiBenedetto
8. Jimmie Johnson
9. Kurt Busch

10.Clint Bowyer

1. Brad Keselowski
2. Paul Menard
3. William Byron
4. Daniel Suarez
5. Erik Jones
6. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
7. Aric Almirola
8. Austin Dillon
9. Ryan Preece
10. Bubba Wallace
11. Daniel Hemric
12. Ryan Newman
13. Ty Dillon
14. Michael McDowell
15. Matt Tifft
16. Landon Cassill
17. David Ragan
18. Corey LaJoie
19. BJ McLeod
20. Joe Nemechek
21. Ross Chastain
22. JJ Yeley
23. Garrett Smithley
24. Joey Logano
25. Ryan Blaney
26. Chris Buescher
27. Reed Sorenson
28. Chase Elliott

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 2019 Playoff Driver leaders 2^nd Round

1. Kyle Larson
2. Martin Truex Jr. +63
3. Denny Hamlin +484
4. Kyle Busch +48
5. Kevin Harvick +42
6. Brad Keselowski +20
7. Alex Bowman +17
8. William Byron +0
   ———
   Joey Logano -0
   Clint Bowyer -4
   Chase Elliott -7
   Ryan Blaney -22

Time of Race:

2 Hrs, 56 Mins, 49 Secs.

Average Speed:

135.734 MPH

Margin of Victory:

1.578 Seconds

Caution Flags:

3 for 17 laps; Laps: 9-12 (Debris [None]); 122-127 (Stage 1 Conclusion [95]); 242-248 (Stage 2 Conclusion [21]).

Lead Changes:

14 among 9 drivers; D. Hamlin (P) 1-11; K. Larson (P) 12; D. Hamlin (P) 13-75; W. Byron (P) 76; J. Johnson 77; K. Busch 78-80; D. Suarez 81; T. Dillon 82; D. Hamlin (P) 83-183; K. Larson (P) 184-185; D. Hamlin (P) 186-228; M. Truex Jr. (P) 229-243; K. Larson (P) 244-321; P. Menard 322-327; K. Larson (P) 328-400.

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Race #5 of the Second Round of the 2019 Playoff Schedule shifts to Talladega Superspeedway for the 1000Bulbs.com 500  where Aric Almirola is the defending race winner ,  Sunday October 13, 2019   2:00  PM ET   NBC/NBC Sports App  MRN