Kyle Larson showcased an impressive performance at the Bristol Motor Speedway, solidifying his reputation as a formidable racer. Participating in the NASCAR Xfinity Series event, Larson made the decision to expand his weekend schedule, a testament to his admiration for the 0.533-mile oval track, which exemplifies the intense and dynamic nature of dirt sprint car racing—a discipline he has embraced since his youth in California.
For Larson, Bristol is a track that resonates with his racing instincts. “It’s the closest style to a dirt sprint car race although it’s a lot longer still,” he shared with HendrickMotorsports.com. The track’s intensity and fast-paced style align perfectly with his comfort zone and passion for racing. Given his profound appreciation for Bristol, it’s no surprise that Larson committed to competing in the Cup, Xfinity, and Craftsman Truck Series events during the weekend.
Historically, Kyle Busch remains the sole driver to achieve a national series sweep at Bristol, having accomplished this feat twice in 2010 and 2017. However, Larson’s past performances at Bristol reveal his potential to join Busch in this exclusive club. Over 17 Cup starts, Larson has accrued one pole, two wins, and a total of seven top-five finishes, highlighted by an impressive 1,351 laps led, ranking him second among active drivers in this category.
Larson’s commitment to Bristol is further evidenced by his unforgettable domination of the Cup playoff event last fall, where he led 462 of 500 laps, marking a record for Hendrick Motorsports at the venue. Continuing this momentum, Larson returned to Victory Lane during his last Xfinity race at Thunder Valley in 2018, rekindling his success at Bristol.
Despite a strong position in the recent Xfinity race at Homestead, where Larson held a 15-second lead, an unfortunate incident with Sam Mayer during an overtime restart thwarted his victory. Yet, his prowess in the Cup and Truck events at Homestead shines through, reinforcing his capabilities across different series.
Dale Tanhardt, in a recent YouTube discussion with Eric Estepp, remarked on Larson’s potential this weekend, stating, “I think he’s got a much better shot at sweeping this weekend than he did at Homestead. And I was blown away by how good he was in the Xfinity car.” This confidence is echoed by the betting odds, with Larson (-150) emerging as the dominant favorite to clinch the SciAps 300.
Looking at the broader landscape, points leader Justin Allgaier (+400) and Sam Mayer (+900) stand as notable contenders for the race, according to BetOnline Sportsbook. Yet, Larson’s entry as the heavy favorite signifies his well-regarded status in the racing community.
As the weekend continues, Kyle Larson looks forward to an ambitious triple-header, beginning with the Truck Series on Friday, followed by the Xfinity race on Saturday, and culminating in the Cup race on Sunday. The high expectations and anticipation surrounding Larson at Bristol underscore the passion and excitement he brings to the sport, and as fans eagerly watch, his potential to sweep the weekend remains a thrilling prospect.
