Kyle Larson surges to the front before the finish of the race. He wins his his first Brickyard 400

Kyle Larson moved his up to the front just in the middle of the pack on the final laps, and brought his debut Brickyard 400 and fourth race in 2024.

By Holly Cain

SPEEDWAY, Ind. Two months after he competed at the Indianapolis 500, Kyle Larson returned to the storied Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sunday afternoon to win the race at one of NASCAR Cup Series’ crown most coveted events The 30th Anniversary Brickyard 400 Presented by PPG by securing the field in an exciting double overtime final.

Larson had the distinction of being only one driver to lead seven laps during the race’s 167 laps in the number. 5. Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet – six of them were in additional intervals, in the times they needed them most. They eventually squeezed out the race’s pole-sitter 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick and Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney on the bell lap. A caution was sounded just a few minutes later to conclude the race. Ryan Preece’s Ford was not able to move and was stuck at the finish line.

A 31-year-old Californian Larson was seen taking off the top of his Chevrolet Camero to wave his arms in front of the grandstands to cheer on the crowd. obviously thrilled with his first victory at an NASCAR race, one of the most prestigious races in the world. He returned to the 2.5-mile oval after three years on the road track. The win came 30 decades after Hendrick Motorsports team executive Jeff Gordon was the first winner of a stock car race at the track that was once a legend.

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Larson has taken home three consecutive NASCAR crown jewel of victory that also includes winning the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway and the longest race in NASCAR, which is the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

It’s been just eight weeks since Larson’s 18th-place performance at the race which was the Indianapolis 500 debut. The weather wasn’t pleasant for his journey to Charlotte to race in NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600, the second part of the event’s “Double,” so this week’s performance at Indy seemed like a chance to get his place on the grid.

“This is just such a prestigious place, such hallowed ground,” declared in 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Larson who currently leads this series with four wins during the current season.

“Pretty amazing to have the an opportunity to race around the oval again. What an achievement of our team. We never let up even a bit.

“And to all the fans, I love it here,” said the actor smiling. “I believe that all of us have been a complete circle of the things that were meant to be, and what was destined to bring us together. “

In the last laps third-place finisher Blaney believed that it was meant be Blaney and the number. 12 Team Penske Ford team. He was on the front row with co-driver Ford driver Brad Keselowski for the first overtime restart. Keselowski abruptly entered pit road following a run-out of gas and ignored his green signal.

It opened up the path that allowed Larson who was positioned behind Keselowski at the start – to leap ahead and grab advantage of Blaney. This was an advantage that would not be one that he could ever give up.

“It’s no fun, had a really good shot to win today,” Blaney declared. clearly dissatisfied Blaney declared. “Our vehicle was extremely quick. I believe we’ve had an excellent strategy. The experience was similar to being a frontman trying to consume the gas. I believe we’ve placed ourselves in a great position.

“I am aware that the six [Keselowski] were probably would not be in the race once it turned green. As I watched the start, I was shocked at how they didn’t quit. I was sure that they’d be able to finish. Thus I decided to go for the best option because he might be absent during the restart zone. He’s out of the green therefore he will have to take a pit road, and then the 5 gets announced.

“Luck for the day.”” That’s right, I believe. I’m not certain. There’s no idea what I’m upset about. I’m furious at being disappointed that we didn’t win this race because I thought that we were in a good situation. “

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Reddick’s second place finish after passing Blaney during the lap and displaying an unofficial white flag, ensures Reddick is on the verge of being able to be the winner of his first Regular Season Championship. Larson is leading by 10 points throughout the summer break. Reddick is only 15 points back having only four races left throughout the season. The field includes 16 drivers in the Playoff.

“Obviously, a lot of cars and a lot of things had to happen for us to get second,” Reddick stated. Reddick who ran through the race in record time of 40 laps for the no. 4523XI Racing Toyota. “Honestly this was a fantastic day. Naturally it is a must to return on the Brickyard isn’t an easy task when you are just one spot in front of. As we entered the second turn, I realized that I was somewhere in an in-between position. Larson was bound make an mistake.

“Glad that we’ve made an enjoyable recovery. Another great scoring day. We were not able to narrow the gap over the 5 [Larson] more, however we did manage to close the gap on the 9, (ElliottEliott. The overall scheme of things, it was a great game for the team. “

Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell finished fourth and 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace turned in an impressive fifth-place place. Wallace also scored his first stage win since 2022. He was leading the field by over a mile when the break came at the close in the 2nd stage.

There was not much racing pace, but there were numerous pit stop strategies that placed drivers highest. There thirteen leaders and 17 lead changes throughout the late afternoon.

Denny Hamlin, who drove 21 laps in the race, claimed his first stage win – his sixth stage victory of the season and the first occasion for the veteran driver in Indy. He was 32nd after being injured in a multiple car collision at the start in the initial overtime. He is currently ranked fifth in the championship standings with 43 points behind Larson.

Front Row Motorsport’s Todd Gilliand, Team Penske’s Austin Cindric, Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suarez, Stewart Haas Racing’s Noah Gragson, and Hendrick Motorsport’s Chase Elliott rounded out the top 10.

It was a crucial point-sapping victory that was important for Wallace who is attempting to make it into the playoffs. Wallace currently is behind the Trackhouse Racing teammate Ross Chastain by just seven points to be in the 16th and final playoff position. Roush Fenway Keselowski’s Chris Buescher is 15th in points, and is only 17 points ahead of Wallace.

NASCAR has decided to enjoy an extended two-week break in order to get ready for this Summer Olympics. The Cup Series will return Aug. 11 at Richmond Raceway (6 p.m. ET, USA, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, NBC Sports App). There are four races to be scheduled for the regular season races this year.

Note Inspections after the race were completed without difficulty within the Cup Series garage, confirming Kyle Larson as the winner.