Kyle Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, was the driver to look out for during the Ruoff Mortgage 500 race at Phoenix Raceway. Having led most of the race after getting pole in qualifying on Saturday, the #5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 driver was believed to have the fastest car on the 1-mile-long oval in Avondale, Arizona.

However, a bad launch meant the win slipped away from Larson’s grasp.

Kyle Larson’s slip-up gets noticed by Hendrick Motorsports Crew Chief

Larson was left vulnerable to cars behind him, particularly to his Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron, who went on to win his second straight Cup race, beating Larson in overtime.

During the race, there was a point when Hendrick Motorsports Crew Chief Cliff Daniels scolded Larson for running high in turns three and four. He said on the radio, “Why did we run high in (turns) three and four? We shouldn’t have done that. Go get him.”

Later, he told Larson to push harder, “Hard, hard, hard, Hard. You beat William (Byron).” Byron eventually won the race, securing his spot in the Cup Series Playoffs, while Larson finished fourth.

Although Larson was expected to win the race, he made a mistake by running high in turns three and four, which could have been the reason behind him losing the race.

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Larson had other reasons as well that held him back and let William Byron Win

Larson also got a bad launch during the final restart of the race, but he thought it was going to be enough to hold off Byron. Sadly the #12 car hit him and held him back. In an interview, Larson said, “I feel like I got a… I actually got a bad launch. […] it really didn’t work out for me where the 12 hit me…”

Larson congratulated Byron on his victory, saying he did a “really good job” at Phoenix. However, coming to the race, it wasn’t easy for him, as he had to hold off Ryan Blaney, who finished second in his Penske Ford, while Tyler Reddick was third in the No. 45 Toyota for 23XI Racing. Late restarts may add to Byron’s stress, but they’re also adding to his win total.

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In conclusion, the Ruoff Mortgage 500 race at Phoenix Raceway was a thrilling event, with William Byron winning his second straight Cup race and securing his spot in the Cup Series Playoffs. Although Kyle Larson was expected to win the race, he made a mistake by running high in turns three and four, which could have been the reason behind him losing the race.