Pure Michigan 400 Recap
It has been way too long for not only myself updating this blog but also for Kyle Larson getting into to Victory Lane. The twenty-four year old out of Elk Grove, California held off a late charge from rookie driver Chase Elliott to score his first Sprint Cup Series win in his ninety-ninth career series start.
He's in The Chase: Kyle Larson has just stamped his ticket to The Chase for the Sprint Cup that begins in three weeks at Chicagoland Speedway and he couldn't of done it in more dramatic fashion. Knowing he was going to have to win to get in, he charged from his twelfth place starting spot and led a race high forty-one laps en-route to his victory.
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| Kyle Larson celebrates after his burn out. Photo Credit to Jeff Zelevansky/NASCAR via Getty Images |
First of his kind: Kyle Larson won Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway to become the first graduate of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity and the NASCAR Next programs to win at the sanctioning body's top level. Larson,of Japanese-American heritage, has earned the nickname "Young Money" by friends in the Sprint Car ranks and even dedicated this win to his late friend, Bryan Clauson, who lost his life three weeks ago.
Bridesmaid Again for Chase: It's been ten races since Hendrick Motorsports rookie driver, Chase Elliott finished in the top five and it was actually the June race at Michigan International Speedway. Chase Elliott looked to have the race in hand with a two second lead until a late debris caution came out. On the ensuing restart, Elliott spun his tires and fell back to third. He was able to drive back up to second but too little too late.
Survival for Buescher: It was a long day for the driver of the Front Row Motorsports entry, Chris Buescher. Engine trouble struck the team on only lap number two and he fell several laps down before finishing thirty-fifth. He now clings on to thirtieth position in the Sprint Cup Series by only seven points over David Ragan. A position he needs to finish in to clinch a spot in The Chase. With two races left till NASCARs playoffs begin, it will be interesting to see how they race mid-pack.
TheNASCARTER's Take: We talked about on The Main Event on sportstownchicago.com that with NASCAR electing to use next years aero-package the skilled drivers would rise to the top. With Larson winning, Elliott finishing second, and rookie, Ryan Blaney, finishing fourth. The future looks very bright in NASCAR!
Up Next: NASCAR returns to their roots this weekend when they go throwback at the Darlington Raceway for the Southern 500 this Sunday night on NBC.
