Kyle Larson sidesteps Byron-Gibbs collision for Xfinity Series win at Watkins Glen
In the moments after claiming the checkered flag for the Sunoco Go Rewards 200 at the Glen on Saturday afternoon, Kyle Larson smiled and conceded he was a bit fortunate.
“I got lucky,‘‘ he told the USA Network television audience.
Or perhaps more accurately, he was in the right place at the right time. Running third on a restart with five laps remaining in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at historic Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, he shot to the front when his Hendrick Motorsports teammate — and race pole-sitter — William Byron and Joe Gibbs Racing‘s Ty Gibbs spun out at the front of the field while dicing it up for the race lead.
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Byron, who set a track record in qualifying earlier in the day and led a race-best 35 of the 82 laps, and Gibbs, who led the second-most laps (25) collided in a door-to-door battle in the famed “bus stop” portion of the 2.45-mile road course. Larson bolted through to take the lead.
Still, the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion had to hold off one of the sport‘s all-time best on road courses, AJ Allmendinger, in the remaining laps to claim the day‘s trophy – ultimately taking his 13th series win by a slight .273 seconds in the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet.
“I think my only shot was if the 17 and 54 — Willy and Ty — got really racing,‘‘ conceded Larson, who spent much of the race just behind his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Byron and Gibbs.
“The seas parted and I was able to get through but then I had AJ (Allmendinger) behind me so just trying to hit my marks best I could. He definitely made me nervous with me being out in front of him.
“So cool to get a win here and Rick Hendrick is here too. Wish William and I could have fought for the win there, though.‘‘
Rookie Sammy Smith, an 18-year old from Iowa in only his fourth NASCAR Xfinity Series start, finished a career-best third place in the No. 18 JGR Toyota and led an impressive — also career high — seven laps midway through the race.
JR Motorsports driver Noah Gragson finished fourth, followed by Kaz Grala. Sam Mayer, Riley Herbst, Sheldon Creed, Josh Berry and Jeremy Clements rounded out the top 10. Smith won the first stage, and Byron took the second.
Byron and Gibbs, who had contact again farther back in the field during the final laps, ultimately finished 25th and 27th, respectively.
On the cool-down lap after the race Byron told his crew, “Sorry guys, I wish we could have won that one. We were in position and got wrecked.‘‘
Allmendinger‘s runner-up showing, combined with Gibbs’ rough day and an early exit by Justin Allgaier — who wrecked only four laps into the race — really boosted Allmendinger‘s lead atop the Xfinity Series standings. With four races remaining to set the 12-driver 2022 Playoff field, he now holds a 61-point advantage over five-race winner Gibbs and is 70 points up on fellow three-race winner Allgaier.
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Allgaier finished last in the 38-car field after an early crash in the 2.45-mile circuit’s esses. Allgaier lost control of the No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, which sustained heavy front-end damage after contact with the guardrail.
Daniel Hemric was unhurt after a heavy nose-first crash with the No. 11 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet in the 59th lap. Hemric’s car veered into the tire barrier at Turn 5, knocking him from the race.
The Xfinity Series’ next event is the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola, scheduled Friday (7:30 p.m. ET, USA, NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM) at Daytona International Speedway. Just four races remain until the 12-driver Xfinity Series Playoffs field is determined.
NOTE: Inspection is complete in the Xfinity Series garage with no major issues, confirming the No. 88 of Kyle Larson as the winner. The No. 16 of AJ Allmendinger had one lug nut not safe and secure.
Contributing: Staff reports
