Larson Sweeps Weekend at Watkins Glen

Photo Credit to Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR

NASCAR

Kyle Larson Takes Second Cup Win of 2022 After Late Restart, Sweeps Weekend

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – After being lucky yesterday, Kyle Larson made his own luck late in the Cup race at Watkins Glen. On a late restart, Larson ran teammate Chase Elliott wide through turn one, taking the win away from the road course ace. Now a two-time winner in 2022, Larson has also won the last two years at Watkins Glen, in addition to a weekend sweep. Is teammate drama brewing at Hendrick Motorsports? Larson said he wasn’t proud of the winning move, while Elliott was none too pleased post-race.

After starting as a wet-weather race, Stage 1 was determined by who switched to slick tires first. The first driver to make this gamble on a fast-drying track was Chase Briscoe, as the 14 took the Stage 1 win.

Rookie Todd Gilliland started Stage 2 as the leader, only to run into terminal issues. While leading, the No. 38 Ford broke an axle, sending him to the garage and out of the race. Stage 2 would end up going to Joey Logano, as he got by Gilliland once his problems happened.

Once the Stages were out of the way, Michael McDowell held the lead over Chase Elliott. This initial run would be very short-lived though, due to a stack up in the bus stop. Austin Dillon got sent sideways racing Ross Chastain, causing an accordion effect that ended with Kimi Raikkonen in the tire barriers. After coming into his Cup Series debut with much hype and anticipation, the 2007 Formula 1 World Champion left Watkins Glen in a dismal 37th.

Elliott quickly got by McDowell for the top spot once the race resumed. With clean track ahead, Elliott appeared to be well on his way to Watkins Glen win number three. After the final round of green flag pit stops, Elliott’s lead over teammate Kyle Larson only grew. A caution would fly however when Joey Hand pounded the tire barriers outside of turn one. This enduing run would only last a lap though, as the 27 of Loris Hezemans was stuck in a gravel trap. This gave Larson and the field one final shot to beat Elliott on a restart.

This final restart’s run into turn one would define the race’s outcome. Larson on the inside lane from second ran Elliott wide on corner exit, being able to just sneak by the 9 on entry to turn two. AJ Allmendinger also quickly took second, as Elliott fell like a rock on this first lap. Over the final laps, Allmendinger closed in, but couldn’t get close enough to Larson.

Not only does Larson take back-to-back Cup wins at Watkins Glen, he also takes a weekend sweep after Saturday’s Xfinity triumph. Oddly enough, in both races he narrowly beat the 16 of Allmendinger. After going six months without a win, Larson is now the eighth multi-time winner of 2022. Watkins Glen also now marks the only track where driver 5 has won twice since joining Hendrick Motorsports. Despite the win, Larson was apologetic of how he roughed up his teammate to get it done.

“I knew that was kind of my only opportunity,” Larson said. “I’m not proud of it. But being in the inside lane or the right lane.. Being the leader, choosing the left lane, it definitely wins out. But when it gets too late in the race, it’s definitely risky.

“Like I said, I knew that was my only opportunity to get by him. I felt like our cars were pretty equal today. Had a lot of fun after the green flag cycle trying to chase him down. Kind of burnt my stuff up a little bit.

“The restarts kept me in it and kept our team in it. Proud of our guys. Good to get another win here at Watkins Glen and get some more bonus points going into the Playoffs, which we haven’t had many of those this year. Hopefully this will build on some momentum and we can keep racking up some more points.”

Behind Larson and Allmendinger, the top five were Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, and Daniel Suarez. Other top finishers were Michael McDowell, Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell, Chris Buescher, and Erik Jones.

Despite finishing fourth, the day was not a total loss for Chase Elliott. The Hendrick 9 team did clinch the 2022 regular season championship, and the all-important 15 Playoff points.

While the Playoffs’ top seed is a lock, the 16th seed is still up for grabs. It will be determined next week in the regular season finale from Daytona. Coverage of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 is Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Can the last chance at the postseason see an upset winner?

Written by Peter Stratta

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Photo Credit to Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR