Kyle Larson narrowly avoided giving up his points lead entirely following a tumultuous NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway. The driver of the No. 5 started from the 22nd position, earned no stage points, and suffered a 34th-place DNF after crashing into the wall in the final stage.
Larson’s No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet suffered a right-front tire failure, causing him to smack the outside retaining wall between turns 1 and 2. The damage was too severe for Larson to continue as his car was pushed back to the garage.
Larson entered Phoenix with a 49-point lead over second place Denny Hamlin. With three races remaining, the defending Cup Series champion now holds a five-point advantage over new second-place driver Christopher Bell.
Kyle Larson Comments On Difficult Phoenix Cup Race
After Larson was checked and released from the infield care center, he spoke to reporters about his difficult afternoon in the desert. When reflecting on why he did not have speed, the Hendrick Motorsports star kept it simple.
“I don’t know. We’re not good here. I don’t know. It was a tough day,” Larson said.