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Kyle Larson’s Race Cut Short by Early Accident

Kyle Larson began his Sunday race from the 19th position, driving a car adorned with a retro design inspired by Terry Labonte’s 2003 Kellogg’s vehicle, which celebrated Labonte’s final win in the Cup Series. This nostalgic look earned Larson the title of ‘Best in Show’ prior to the start of the 400-mile event.

Unfortunately, Larson’s promising day took a sharp downturn early on. While jockeying for position with Joey Logano for 18th place, he found himself caught in a precarious situation. As he exited Turn 2 on the low side, Larson encountered an uneven seam between the banking and the apron, leading his car to spin out uncontrollably. His No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet slid across the track and collided nose-first with the inside wall.

Despite his efforts to regain control, Larson’s race ended prematurely due to significant front-end damage, prompting him to report feeling dejected over the radio. The car was subsequently towed back to the garage, where extensive repairs were necessary. Larson, who famously triumphed at the Southern 500 in Darlington in 2023, usually boasts a strong average finish at the iconic track, making this incident particularly disappointing.

As of the conclusion of Stage 1, Larson remained in the garage as his crew worked diligently to salvage the situation. He was nearly 100 laps down, with only J.J. Yeley listed behind the wall alongside him. The team’s focus will now shift to getting Larson back on the track if possible, but the early exit serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of motorsport.

Source
www.motorsport.com