Bluegrass Sports Nation

Kyle Larson Wins at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the First Win since NASCAR’s Reinstatement

LAS VEGAS – March 8, 2021 – Anthony Holbrook

NASCAR returned to Las Vegas Motor Speedway after a thrilling South Beach showdown in the Sunshine State.  Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 race kicked off NASCAR’s first West Coast swing of the 2021 Cup Series season.

Already three of the 16 playoff positions checked off compliments from previous longshot race winners’ Michael McDowell, Christopher Bell and William Byron.

Kevin Harvick who finished fifth last week at Homestead, sits alone at pole entering the fourth race of the season

Pennzoil 400 – Stage 1 Recap:

As the Green flag flies in Vegas, contenders quickly challenge the 1.5 mile speedway contesting four wide in the middle of pack to three wide for the lead.

William Byron controls the leads with 10 Laps complete in Stage 1 followed by Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Larson.

Completion Caution pit service shuffles the lead to Denny Hamlin followed by Brad Keselowski and Kyle Larson, respectfully.

21 laps to go in Stage 1, Joey Logano out front with Chase Elliott breathing down his neck. Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski and Ryan Blaney round out the top 5. 

Brad Keselowski wins his first stage win of the year.

Pennzoil 400 – Stage 1 Results:

1. Brad Keselowski

2. Chase Elliott

3. Ryan Blaney 

4. Denny Hamlin

5. Alex Bowman

6. Christopher Bell

7. William Byron

8. Matt DiBenedetto

9. Joey Logano

10. Martin Truex Jr

Pennzoil 400 – Stage 2 Recap:

Stage 2 restart spotlighted Brad Keselowski guarding his lead.  Driver/s aggression as well as position on track were separated by inches while attempting 3 wide maneuvers behind Keselowski.

Tyler Reddick circulates to the lead as leaders pit for a final service stop with 29 Laps to go in Stage 2. 

Didn’t take long for Kyle Larson to muscle his machine to the front with 14 laps to go and cruises to 3 second Stage win over a distant Brad Keselowski.

Pennzoil 400 – Stage 2 Results:

1. Kyle Larson

2. Brad Keselowski

3. Denny Hamlin

4. William Byron

5. Ryan Blaney

6. Alex Bowman

7. Christopher Bell

8. Martin Truex Jr

9. Kyle Busch

10. Chase Elliot

Pennzoil 400 – Final Stage Recap:

Final Stage restart Kyle Larson still hanging out up front, followed by Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch and Alex Bowman round out the top five.

Chase Elliott along with Aric Almorlia both have separate track issues, setting back hopes for any contending chance to win. 

Kyle Larson continues to pace the pack with 55 circuits remaining as the field follows accordingly.

As the laps wrap down, Kyle Larson managed to distance his lead with 25 laps to go. Brad Keselowski covered second with Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch rounding out the top five.

Kyle Larson hit the jackpot collecting his first win in two year with new race team owner Hendrick Motorsports. 

Kyle Larson is the fourth different winner in the 4th event in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Pennzoil 400 Final Results    

1Kyle Larson
2Brad Keselowski                    
3Kyle Busch
4Denny Hamlin
5Ryan Blaney
6Martin Truex
7Christopher Bell
8William Byron
9Joey Logano
10Erik Jones
11Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
12Austin Dillion
13Chase Elliott
14Chris Buescher
15Ryan Preece
16Matt DiBenedetto
17Michael McDowell
18Ryan Newman
19Kurt Busch
20Kevin Harvick
21Chase Briscoe
22Tyler Reddick
23Ross Chastain
24Anthony Alfredo
25Cole Custer
26Daniel Suarez
27Alex Bowman
28Bubba Wallace
29Justin Haley
30BJ McLeod
31Garrett Smithley
32Cody Ware
33Quin Houff
34Joey Gase
35Josh Bilicki
36Timmy Hill
37Corey LaJoie (DNF)
38Aric Almirola (DNF)

NASCAR Cup Series travels South to Phoenix Raceway

Sunday March 14th

3:30 p.m. E.T.     

 Instacart 500 

 FOX / MRN / Sirius XM NASCAR 90

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