2024 AdventHealth 400: Kyle Larson Denies Ford Its Resurgence Amidst Rain-Delayed Kansas 0.001 Shocker

Crushed! Absolutely crushed! The dreams of Ford were squashed yet again by Hendrick Motorsports’ star driver, Kyle Larson. The crowd definitely got their money’s worth after Larson clinched the win, edging out Chris Buescher by just 0.001 seconds—making it the tightest finish in NASCAR history.

Although Larson had to settle for second place last year and seemed pretty bummed about it, this year he definitely got his revenge. It’s been a stellar season for HMS and JGR, with HMS taking six wins so far, and Larson chipping in with two of those victories.

Kyle Larson really loved every bit of the race, from start to finish

In a nail-biting finish, Kyle Larson pulled up next to Buescher in Turns 3 and 4 on the final lap after a green-white-checkered restart, and barely edged him out at the finish line while Chase Elliott and Martin Truex Jr were hot on their heels. It was so tight that initially, the scoring monitors declared Buescher the winner. But the official call on the radio named Kyle Larson as the race victor. 

Both Larson and Buescher had opted for just two tires during their final pit stops after a late caution caused by Kyle Busch spinning out with less than 10 laps left. Neither of them was leading when the race resumed for the final two laps.

Reflecting on the race, Larson shared, “I don’t know that was wild. I was obviously thankful for that caution. We were dying pretty bad and were happy to come out, you know, third and figured my best shot was me to choose bottom and just try and split three wide to the inside. […] I just committed really hard up top. I wasn’t quite sure if we’re gonna make it out the other side. I got super loose in the center. […] It was crazy. I mean, that race from start to finish was amazing. That first stage was incredible. the second stage, you know at the end was fun and then that whole last stage […] and then you know, fuel strategy and tires running long and all that was wild,“ after climbing out of his car.

Larson was trailing Buescher as they hit the white flag, then made a solid move down the backstretch on the final lap. Buescher had left just enough room between his car and the wall in the last two corners, and Larson didn’t hesitate to squeeze in there and keep pushing.

Initially, Larson’s team told him that #17 had taken it. But then, over the radio, he learned his #5 car had edged out Chris Buescher. Elated Larson stated, “I didn’t know if I won or not. I was pumped for the finish and I can’t remember if it was Cliff or Tyler or my spotter said that you know, the 17- got it and I was like, “Hey, good job the day team because that was a great race.“ Then I got to about turn three and Tyre is going crazy up on the roof. Just incredible, incredible finish there.“

Back in 2017, Larson’s playoff hopes were crushed at Kansas when the engine in his #42 car blew just 73 laps into the race, leading to a P39 place finish. Despite being a four-time winner that season, he was knocked out of the playoffs. But with this closest NASCAR finish of a win, Larson has really set a high standard for all the drivers, leading over 600 laps already this year.