The new NASCAR Cup Series season was full of uncertainty even after Kyle Larson's dominant finish to 2021.
He said that going into a new car can be nerve-racking.
Although his path to victory included a fateful collision with teammate Chase Elliott on a wild day at Fontana, he no longer has to wonder.
The defending NASCAR Cup Series champion survived a restart with four laps left to win at Auto Club Speedway for the second time.
Before the chaotic finish, there was contact between the two teams just under 20 laps to go, with both of them pinching their teammates into the wall. He apologized for the collision over the radio, but he hadn't seen Elliott make a bold move to get past him.
I didn't know he was coming, but I ended his day after they worked so hard to get back to the lead lap. It was probably a mistake on both of our parts. I know they are upset, but I would never run into my teammate and block them.
The race had a record 12th caution when Elliott spun with eight laps to go. Online fans speculated that the spin was a deliberate attempt to hurt the chances of the winner.
There will be no long-term damage to their relationship according to the crew chief.
Daniels said that they are all great teammates and that it was nothing they would ever do intentionally. I do not blame Chase for making the race-winning move earlier. I know we are all going to get on the same page.
The brouhaha colored another excellent race for the man who hadn't won a race yet in 2022. After starting at the back, the relentless multidisciplinary competitor and Northern California native roared to another win at Fontana in an entertaining race featuring plenty of passing, lots of mistakes and thrilling top-to- bottom moves on the seasoned five-wide asphalt.
After the final caution, he led off the final restart. He was neck-and-necked with the leader, who was in front with two laps to go, before he got into the draft to take his own shot at the leader.
He won his 17th career victory, the 11th in his year-plus at the helm of the Chevrolet. He added another famed surfboard trophy to his award after clinging to the lead through an exciting finish in the first race for NASCAR's Next Gen car on an intermediate track.
There were some guys that were quicker than us, but they had their misfortune. The whole race was crazy, but good to win in California.
Chevrolets took the top four spots, and second place went to Dillon.
We had a fast car, but we went through a lot of adversity.
Daytona 500 champ and Fontana pole sitter Austin Cindric finished 16th.
There is a day called REDDICK.
The race fell apart for Tyler Reddick with 48 laps to go, after he had led for 90 laps and won the first two stages. After getting a flat, he ran William into a wall, ending his day.
Reddick finished 24th. Three weeks ago, he was leading the Clash at the Coliseum when a prop shaft failed.
There is an apple caution.
In the 32nd Cup Series race at Fontana, the drivers tied the 2008 course record with 12 cautions, but that was in a 500-mile race, rather than the current 400 mile iteration.
Rams go Racin.
The biggest names in Southern California sports were included in the race, which was the closest race to Hollywood. Albert Pujols drove the pace car, while Andrew Whitworth and Matthew Stafford were also in it.
While his wife reported on a NASCAR race, Whitworth said his second date with her was at a NASCAR race. Stafford called himself a casual racing fan, but he was rooting for another No. 9 with Georgia connections.
There were no announcements about their playing futures. Stafford said he wants his 40-year-old blind-side protector to return, but he will respect whatever decision Whitworth makes because he is an old man.
Next up.
The West Coast swing continues in Las Vegas. Last year, he won the spring race in Vegas.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
