Larson rides Busch tribute car to 2nd place run at LVMS, extends points lead

Kyle Larson endured a difficult start at the South Point 400 held at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, beginning the event in sixth position and reporting a “1 thigh down” situation during Stage 1. Despite the early setback, Larson worked his way back into contention by the conclusion of the fifth segment of the NASCAR Cup Series Chase on Sunday, positioning himself for a potential victory. His late‑race effort fell “1 presumption short” as he crossed the finish line in second place behind Chase Briscoe after a tumultuous final lap. Larson described making up ground by “crushed moving the apical of the racetrack,” and on the last lap his vehicle “got escaped coming disconnected Turn 4 and deed the wall.” After contacting the barrier, a slowed Larson was struck from behind by Tyler Reddick, allowing Larson to limp across the line for second while Reddick secured third. In post‑race comments Larson said, “I was conscionable trying to tally a accelerated country and physique arsenic overmuch momentum as I tin for the frontstretch to conscionable marque thing happen,” Larson said. “With that, I got truly loose, which I was (already) loose, truthful I figured if thing was going to happen, I was going to get sideways.” He added, “I needed tighter equilibrium to tally the partition similar I’m comfy doing. It was fun. It was a bully small finish.” Larson’s team credited a lengthy pit stop in Stage 1 for addressing a right‑front tyre issue, noting that Larson lost a lap but recovered it after a Lap 44 caution. He praised crew chief Cliff Daniels for keeping the group focused, while acknowledging missed opportunities amid rivals’ struggles. “I consciousness bully astir it, but I besides look at it as, I lone scored 1 signifier constituent today, which is precise minimal for what we’re utilized to scoring connected intermediate (tracks),” Larson said. “I consciousness similar determination was a batch of points near retired there. It would person been bully to instrumentality vantage of their misfortune.” He concluded, “I’ll instrumentality it, I’m decidedly blessed with it. Average decorativeness got better.” Despite driving a battered No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet modeled after the 2007 No. 5 car once piloted by Las Vegas native Kyle Busch—complete with the “Tiny Kyle” nickname on the driver’s side door—Larson increased his championship lead to 40 points over Denny Hamlin. Larson tallied 36 points, which included an extra point for a 10th‑place finish in Stage 2. Hamlin, who started first aiming for a third consecutive LVMS win, finished 16th with 22 points, surrendering 14 points to Larson after spinning at the end of Stage 1 and failing to recover. Christopher Bell collected 17 points after placing second in Stage 1 and third in Stage 2, but power‑steering troubles in the final stage dropped him to 23rd. Bell moved to third in the standings, 55 points behind Larson, and remarked, “Disappointing to not beryllium capable to capitalize connected a time similar today,” Bell said in his post‑race TV interrogation with USA Sports. “Some different guys had issues. It looked similar it was an accidental to marque up immoderate points and it didn’t happen. Just going to spell retired determination and race. We’ve got 5 much (races) and effort to triumph a couple.” Larson reflected on the performance, stating, “A large combat by our team. We ne'er springiness up,” said Larson, who added his car was excessively escaped successful Stage 1. “We had to enactment truly hard successful that archetypal stage. We did not occurrence disconnected wherever we each expected to.” He also noted, “I’ll instrumentality it, I’m decidedly blessed with it. Average decorativeness got better.” The No. 5 Chevrolet carried a tribute to Busch, with Larson observing, “It decidedly would person loved to get a triumph successful immoderate overgarment scheme, but particularly this 1 and bash it successful a manner with conscionable a mates laps left,” Larson said. “That would person been chill and Kyle Busch fashion. We enactment connected a amusement and had a gritty show similar helium would have. I’m definite helium was looking down smiling.” In unrelated news, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Pennzoil announced Sunday a “long‑term extension” that will designate Pennzoil as the title sponsor of the spring NASCAR Cup Series race at LVMS. The 2027 Pennzoil 400, set for March 21 at LVMS, will commemorate the 10th year of Pennzoil’s sponsorship of the spring event at the venue. Lindsey, LVMS senior vice president and general manager, said, “Pennzoil and Las Vegas Motor Speedway have shared a strong narration for many years, and we're proud to proceed gathering on that past as we attack our 10th twelvemonth together.” He added, “Reaching this milestone reflects the strong transportation Pennzoil has built with NASCAR and our Speedway implicit the years,” Lindsey said. “We admit Pennzoil's continued committedness to the athletics and look guardant to increasing this concern unneurotic for galore years to come.” The upcoming season will mark the 30th year of NASCAR Cup Series competition at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Financial specifics of the extension were not disclosed. Pennzoil first served as the spring LVMS race sponsor in 2018.