Kyle Larson went from a 7th pole win in the Xfinity Series to a 15th race win at COTA while besting 3x Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen as well as RCR’s Austin Hill for the 2024 Focused Health 250 NXS race. Larson emerged as one of the favorites alongside P2 finisher SVG and Kaulig teammate AJ Allmendinger. 

Kyle Larson Brings Rick Hendrick First NXS Win of 2024

The Hendrick Motorsports #17 car broke the Xfinity lap record during qualifying and gave Rick Hendrick his first NXS victory in 2024. This seems to be the norm this season for Kyle Larson, after winning HMS’ first Cup Series victory at Vegas a few weeks prior. SVG looked certain for the win, but late-race tussles saw his #97 get beaten after a 30-second penalty for breaking track limits. SVG’s P2 finish was overturned, and NASCAR sent him to the back of the pack for a disappointing P28 finish in his fifth Xfinity race this season.

Additionally, Hendrick’s #17 driver for the COTA race paid his dues to Mr. H afterward. An update from Performance Racing Network’s official Twitter account revealed that the team owner had just gotten off the phone with Larson. He expressed his delight when he told PRN: “Big thank you to Greg Ives and everyone at @TeamHendrick. To get the win for Rick and Linda was so special.”

After SVG’s turn of fortunes, courtesy of NASCAR (and Austin Hill), the re-updated top-5 now has Austin Hill at P2 and John Hunter Nemechek at P3, followed by P8 qualifier Cole Custer who secured his third consecutive top-5 this season. On the other hand, Big Machine Racing’s #48 driver Parker Kligerman landed his Chevrolet Camaro on the final spot, finally breaking into the top 5 this season.

SVG’s Woes Come Through at COTA

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The Kiwi #97 who crossed the chequered behind Kyle Larson had his stellar placing taken away by NASCAR due to another track limit violation. The #97 looked like the car to beat on the day, however, Larson’s own road course prowess shined just a little brighter on the final laps. The ever-humble SVG paid his respects to the #17 driver as he told the media in post-race interviews: “It was really fun. Wish I could have gotten through to the lead, but the car (Larson’s #17) just snuck through there. He was driving really well. A lot of fun.’’

Nevertheless, both drivers will now see off the final stage of their double duty in Texas, as they seem ready to battle one more time tomorrow at the 2024 EchoPark Automotive GrandPrix NCS race.

Shane van Gisbergen Handed a 30-Second Time Penalty at COTA; Loses 2nd Place Finish