Larson reels in the Trophy as tempers esculate
BRISTOL – September 18, 2021- ANTHONY HOLBROOK
The NASCAR Cup series playoffs traveled to Thunder Valley for Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race hosted by Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday Night. The Championship for the Round of 12 was determined.
Stage 1 Recap:
Counting down the laps, Kyle Larson was velcroed to the bumper of Denny Hamlin in the battle for the lead with 5 circuits remaining in Stage 1. Nose to tail around the top, Hamlin sling past to the bottom only to be interfered by Bubba Wallace , leaving the upper lane available for Kyle Larson’s choosing.
Final segment highlights Kyle Larson battle with Denny Hamlin as the JGR Toyota held his ground crossing the checkers in front of an agressive Kyle Larson. Denny Hamlin wins stage at Bristol Motor Speedway!
Bass Pro Night – Stage 1 Results:
1. Denny Hamlin
2. Kyle Larson
3. Chase Elliott
4. Brad Keselowski
5. Ryan Blaney
6. Kevin Harvick
7. Kyle Busch
8. Christopher Bell
9. Martin Truex Jr;
10. William Byron
Stage 2 Recap:
Anthony Alfredo is spun out on Lap 220 by Corey LaJoie in turn collects BJ McLeod along with Justin Haley. The caution is out. Kyle Larson clears lap leader Brad Keselowski into turn one. Denny Hamlin follows the Larson’s map on the outside to take 2nd away after green flag restart assumed. Denny Hamlin moves to the outside but he can’t complete the pass on Kyle Larson on Lap 237. Kyle Larson wins stage two at Bristol Motor Speedway!
Stage 2 Results:
1. Kyle Larson
2. Denny Hamlin
3. Brad Keselowski
4. William Byron
5. Chase Elliott
6. Kevin Harvick
7. Ryan Blaney
8. Christopher Bell
9. Tyler Reddick
10. Kyle Busch
Final Stage recap:
With only 50 circuits remaining, Kevin Harvick is glued to the bumper of Elliott in the battle for the lead. They dice through lap traffic collectively. Kyle Busch encounters a right front flat 45 to go, forcing Kyle Bush pit service under green and endangering chances of progression of the Playoffs. Kyle Bush’s pit service would result into a two lap deficit to the leader. Chase Elliott led a race-high 175 laps only to be passed by Kevin Harvick with 33 laps to go. Altercation with Harvick consequently ends up with a flat tire on Elliott’s Chevrolet while Harvick advances onward to the front.
As 5 laps remain to decide the checkers, Kevin Harvick would be slowed down by Chase Elliott who ranks a lap down after their previous skirmish. This allows Kyle Larson to close right to the bumper of Kevin Harvick in the battle for the win. Kyle Larson sharp shoots past Kevin Harvick for the lead in turn 3 setting sites for the checkers.
Kyle Larson is Victor at Thunder Valley!
Bristol Motor Speedway Results
September 18, 2021
NASCAR Cup Series
Pos | Driver
1. Kyle Larson
2. Kevin Harvick
3. William Byron
4. Ryan Blaney
5. Alex Bowman
6. Brad Keselowski
7. Martin Truex Jr
8. Erik Jones
9. Denny Hamlin
10. Matt DiBenedetto
11. Joey Logano
12. Tyler Reddick
13. Chase Briscoe
14. Ross Chastain
15. Austin Dillon
16. Bubba Wallace
17. Ryan Preece
18. Aric Almirola
19. Kurt Busch
20. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
21. Kyle Busch
22. Daniel Suarez
23. Chris Buescher
24. Michael McDowell
25. Chase Elliott
26. Corey LaJoie
27. JJ Yeley
28. Cole Custer
29. Christopher Bell
30. Garrett Smithley
31. Josh Bilicki
32. David Starr
33. James Davison
34. Quin Houff
35. Anthony Alfredo
36. Justin Haley
37. BJ McLeod
38. Ryan Newman
NASCAR Cup Series
Playoff Standings
Pos | Driver | Points
1. Kyle Larson
1 Win
2. Denny Hamlin
1 Win
3. Martin Truex Jr
1 Win
4. Ryan Blaney
Locked In
5. Kevin Harvick
Locked In
6. Joey Logano
Locked In
7. Chase Elliott
Locked In
8. Brad Keselowski
+37
9. Alex Bowman
+10
10. Christopher Bell
+9
11. Kyle Busch
+7
12. William Byron
+2
— Eliminated after Bristol —
13. Tyler Reddick
-2
14. Aric Almirola
-2
15. Kurt Busch
-6
16. Michael McDowell
-49
The NASCAR Cup Series rolls in to Sin City Sunday Sept 26th, 2021 for the South Point 400 hosted by the Las Vegas Motor Speedway 7:00 p.m. ET NBCSN / PRN / Sirius XM NASCAR Chanel 90
