CONCORD, N.C. – Kyle Larson won the 35th annual Monster Energy All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday night. Larson took the lead in the chaotic final stage and pulled away to secure his first victory in the exhibition race.
In what has been a tumultuous year and a half for the 26-year-old Elk Grove, California native, this conquest was a much-needed reprieve.
Larson spoke in his media availability following the race, “After the year we’ve had, I would not have guessed we would get our first win in the all-star race. It feels like a big relief to finally get a win. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to victory lane in a stock car.”
Larson’s last Cup Series victory came at Richmond Raceway in September 2017, and although this was not a points-paying event, the victory was a big one for Larson, who has been close to winning this event on a number of occasions.
Larson’s win comes after a run of two straight top-ten finishes, which followed a well-documented string of astonishingly bad luck and subpar finishes.
Larson added, “It feels good to get some redemption.”
Before the excitement of the All-Star Race got underway, the non-All-Star eligible drivers in the field would race to determine the final four entrants into the event. Each of the All-Star Open’s three stage winners would advance with a fan vote winner.
William Byron won the first stage in the Open in a photo finish with Darrell “Bubba” Wallace, Jr. to transfer into the main event. Wallace would follow up his runner-up finish with a dramatic finish with Daniel Suarez to secure an emotional victory in Stage 2 to advance. Eventual All-Star Race winner Larson won the final stage and Alex Bowman won the fan vote.
Once the field was set, it was time to put everything on the line and race for the $1 million winner’s purse.
Kevin Harvick, who ultimately finished in the runner-up position, led the opening 18 laps of the race before Kyle Busch overtook the lead.
Erik Jones brought out the first caution of the evening when he cut a tire and debris was scattered across the track. Brad Keselowski stayed out under caution and assumed the lead but fell quickly through the field. Kyle Busch reassumed the lead and won Stage 1.
Kevin Harvick took the lead early in Stage 2 and led throughout to win the stage in dominant fashion.
Clint Bowyer took two tires for the beginning of Stage 3 and was overtaken quickly by Joey Logano, who went on to win Stage 3.
Kevin Harvick suffered a loose wheel during Stage 3. Fortunately for Harvick, Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon made contact right after Harvick started to fall back. Dillon washed up the track into Erik Jones, which brought out the caution. The caution prevented Harvick from falling off the lead lap, which would have essentially ended his night.
Harvick was penalized following the subsequent pit stop for having too many crewmen over the wall and was forced to start at the rear of the field. He was able to race his way up to sixth place by the end of Stage 3. He managed to race his way up to second place, but that is all he could muster.
To describe the fourth, and final, stage in one word: chaos. Drivers battled four wide wheel-to-wheel with each other with no one giving an inch.
The new rules package provided close quarters racing that was frustrating for drivers at times. But there’s no question that it was thrilling to many who watched.
For Larson, it was a night he will remember forever.
Top Ten Finishers
1. Kyle Larson
2. Kevin Harvick
3. Kyle Busch
4. Joey Logano
5. Bubba Wallace
6. Aric Almirola
7. Austin Dillon
8. Alex Bowman
9. William Byron
10. Martin Truex, Jr.
Written by Greg Atkins
