Getty
BRISTOL, TN – SEPTEMBER 18: While waiting on TV, Kyle Larson watches the video display screen from Victory Circle after he won the 61st Annual running of the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race on September 18, 2021 at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Getty
BRISTOL, TN – SEPTEMBER 18: While waiting on TV, Kyle Larson watches the video display screen from Victory Circle after he won the 61st Annual running of the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race on September 18, 2021 at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
This weekend, something very rare happened. Something which hasn’t happened a lot this year in American racing – Kyle Larson lost a race. In fact, both the 2021 and 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champions and teammates recently lost the Turkey Night Grand Prix to Logan Seavey as Buddy Kofoid won the championship.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Larson, who usually has one foot in the dirt racing car and one in a NASCAR car, has experienced immense success in 2021. Not only did he win the NASCAR title with record-equalling numbers, but he also won several races and titles in dirt racing as well.
However, on Saturday night, both the Hendrick drivers failed to leave a mark in Ventura. Larson finished fourth while rookie Elliott finished in 22th, as Seavey won the race.
LOGAN SEAVEY WINS THE TURKEY NIGHT GRAND PRIX!! pic.twitter.com/ivoQxNOP87
— USAC Racing (@USACNation) November 28, 2021
Seavey took the lead in lap 42 and held on to it until the end of lap 98. The hometown boy finished the line 0.335 seconds ahead of Kofoid, who already had the series in the bag before the race began.
“This is huge being Turkey Night, obviously being in California, it’s the biggest race of the year for me and the biggest race for my team, too,” Seavey said.
Larson, who could’ve finished third, was passed by Mitchel Moles after a lap 85 restart.
Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott in their offseason
Despite a long season behind them, the two Hendrick drivers are racing well into their offseason. The two of them have been also racing together on the dirt racing circuit.
USA Today via Reuters
Nov 7, 2021; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (5) celebrates winning the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
It began with Hangtown 100, which Larson entered as a defending champion and Elliott as a rookie. Elliott is relatively new to dirt racing, having only made his debut in the last year, but Larson has been racing and winning titles for over a decade.
The Elk Grove resident won the Friday night race while his NASCAR teammate struggled to qualify.
Chase Elliott has also been putting in some laps in the Next Gen NASCAR car during the ongoing testing.
he's kind of a big deal 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/AYsrAq1RwK
— Nitro Rallycross (@NitroRallycross) November 23, 2021
Looking ahead, Elliott will make his debut in the final round of the NRX RallyCross in December. Larson, though, has plans to visit Abu Dhabi for the last race of the Formula 1 season.
However, both drivers will have one eye on the NASCAR season opener in February in Los Angeles.
Also Read: Kyle Larson’s Dirt Racing Competitor Reveals His Heartening Gesture
